Stickability is Go

[caption id="attachment_6980" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Pupils from Westbury Junior School with the day's Stickability team[/caption]Following the successful pilot of Stickability earlier this year, Monday afternoon saw the exciting official launch of the programme to a wider public via the media.

[caption id="attachment_6984" align="alignleft" width="300"] Dave Attwood and Ryan[/caption]

The session followed the structure of a typical Stickability session, with both indoor reading and outdoor sporting activities, plus handing out the all important stickers!

Newly appointed Managing Director Glenn Leech and staff member Tina Lawes represented The Consortium's side of the partnership, and Vicky Heslop was there on behalf of Bath Rugby Foundation.

Two of Bath Rugby's playing stars - Dave Attwood and David Sisi - were special guests for the day to complete the Stickability lineup.    

[caption id="attachment_6985" align="alignright" width="300"] David Sisi hands Tia her sticker[/caption]

Vicky Heslop, Education Manager at Bath Rugby Foundation said,

“We have piloted this programme in a variety of local schools and found that it really boosts children’s confidence, particularly for those who start off with the lowest levels of confidence. 72% of the 193 children in the pilot phase showed increased confidence scores, some with an enormous increase of over 30% in just six weeks.

We are delighted to have proven so far that this programme really works, but it would not have been possible without extraordinary support from The Consortium. In addition to fully funding the programme, they have also provided their staff as weekly volunteers to help deliver the programme. Over the first year of delivery, the volunteers will have provided around 400 hours of support and will have had a positive impact on the lives of around 800 local children.

[caption id="attachment_6986" align="alignleft" width="300"] Tina Lawes with the children[/caption]

In its first year, Stickability will have worked in 30 primary schools in a wide area of the South West spanning Bath and Swindon. Volunteers have come from across The Consortium and Smiths News Group.  We have been particularly impressed that incoming Managing Director of The Consortium, Glenn Leech, has led the way by making time to volunteer weekly within days of taking up the role, and he has been able to see the impact on the children for himself."

[caption id="attachment_6982" align="alignright" width="300"] Glenn  Leech with Tia[/caption]

Glenn Leech, Managing Director at The Consortium said,

“I am really proud of the support The Consortium has provided to the Bath Rugby Foundation, and am delighted to have been a part of such a fantastic programme. Stickability offers such benefits to the children and I believe it would be a positive intervention in any school.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Vicky and her team.  They are truly inspirational and so skilled at engaging the children.  I look forward to next year.”

Whilst this was the official launch, Stickability has already proved its worth. One pupil who took part in the pilot programme in a school in Swindon has autism and had always refused to participate in his school PE lessons. His involvement in the programme really helped to build his confidence.  His school reports that after taking part in the programme, he happily took part in his first ever PE session in his four years at school. Most importantly, he absolutely loved it and the following week even asked if he could take part!

In total 30 schools from the south-west will be involved in the programme this year and spaces are still available. To nominate a school to take part, contact vicky.heslop@bathrugby.com.

Anyone from Smiths News in the south-west who wishes to volunteer on the Stickability programme should contact Claire Philips-High.