Sport Pembrokeshire's "Fit and Fed" project celebrates success with support from the Bluestone Foundation
Sport Pembrokeshire's "Fit and Fed" initiative, aimed at helping children in disadvantaged areas to access nourishment and take part in a variety of sports, is hoping it can be expanded to more school holidays and even 52 weeks a year.
The project, which has support from the Bluestone Foundation, the community support arm of Bluestone National Park Resort near Narberth, Pembrokeshire, has been operating each summer for the past two years.
Over the course of this time, the project has supported children in Pembroke Dock, Milford Haven, Haverfordwest, and Fishguard.
Spearheaded by Matthew Freeman, Sport Pembrokeshire Manager, the initiative has not only provided essential sustenance to children but also enabled them to participate in sports activities through local clubs and groups.
Matthew said: "The success of the 'Fit and Fed' project has been truly amazing. We've witnessed children benefiting not just from nutritious meals but also from the chance to engage in physical activities. Our aim is to expand this initiative to all school holidays, including Christmas, ensuring year-round support for these deserving children."
Matthew said he envisions the project evolving into a year-round project, making a positive impact every single week. He said the current project has focused exclusively on areas identified as deprived within Pembrokeshire, with hopes to broaden its scope to cover other communities in the county.
Marten Lewis, Director of Sustainability at Bluestone, said the project had proved to be much needed, playing a vital role in providing nourishment and exercise to children.
Marten said: "The Bluestone Foundation has been pleased to play a small part in contributing to such a crucial project. It serves as a catalyst for the creation of more initiatives that support our community's young members."
The Bluestone Foundation was launched in 2010 and has distributed over £250,000 in grants across Pembrokeshire. The Foundation strives to help people help themselves and to principally assist projects falling into economic, social, and environmental categories.
The initial success of "Fit and Fed" stemmed from its roots in assisting children to engage in sports via local clubs and organisations.
It was launched in response to the fact that many children in disadvantaged areas were missing out on both meals and opportunities for physical activity.
Matthew added: "It became evident that children were arriving at school and sports events without having had a proper meal. The 'Fit and Fed' project addresses this critical issue by ensuring access to food, leading to healthier and more active lives."
The collaboration between Sport Pembrokeshire, community sports clubs, and third sector organisations such as Milford Youth Matters, Tanyard, Pembrokeshire Youth Service Haverfordwest Youth Club, and Sport Pembrokeshire, has been important to the initiative's success.
Sue Lines of the Tanyard Youth Project, said: "I would like to thank Sport Pembrokeshire and the Bluestone Foundation on behalf of the trustees, staff, volunteers and young people of the Tanyard Youth Project.
“This exciting new partnership has enabled us to provide sporting opportunities and healthy meals to dozens of children and young people in Pembroke, many of whom arrive at the centre hungry or emotionally fragile. The benefits of physical exercise and healthy food bring immense improvements to their mental health and general well-being."
As the project looks to the future, Matthew said: "Our ultimate goal is to extend 'Fit and Fed' to a year-round initiative, providing children with consistent support, if we can secure the necessary funding."