FAMILIES IN SAFE HANDS WITH STEELE

Pupils from Ox Close Primary School enjoyed a surprise visit from Sunderland AFC Goalkeeper Jason Steele at livin’s head office in Spennymoor last month. The County Durham born star took part in a session of our award-winning Family Learning programme which uses the power of football to engage children and parents/careers in activities that inspire learning and achievement, develop and build new skills and improve relationships with the family. Family Learning is a 10-week course which focuses on various topics relating to child development including: health and well-being; mental health awareness; healthy cooking (delivered in partnership with the Jamie Oliver Food Foundation); maths; English; and home finances. Foundation of Light teamed up with social housing provider livin in 2012, converting a former office based on Church Street in Shildon in a Foundations – a community centre that offers a wide range of help and advice to allow people to improve their lives. Michael Colclough, Foundation of Light's Delivery Coordinator for Central, East and South Durham said: "We have worked with Ox Close Primary for nearly a decade delivering a variety of programmes, so for them to be able to come here and meet Jason is real treat for them. You can see how much they have enjoyed him being here and would like to thank him for coming along."

It was a privilege to come along and surprise the families who have been taking part in the Foundation’s Family Learning programme. From speaking to them you realise what a difference the programme has made to them and I'm proud to support it.

Jason Steele, Sunderland AFC Goalkeeper

Foundation of Light delivers an assortment of sports and education programmes for schools, bringing subjects to life and all sessions are mapped to the National Curriculum.