The Robins Foundation goes global

Through Erasmus+ funding granted at the end of 2020, the Robins Foundation will be working in collaboration with several partners From Bristol, Spain and Portugal on developing and promoting mentoring strategies in the field of sport.

These partners include:

3 Social Partners (with experience in social inclusion, especially in the field of youngsters at risk & social mentoring)

• Fundacio Privada Gentis (Terres de l’Ebre, Spain) (CFA Lo Pont)
• Associacao para a educaco de segunda oportunidade (Matosinhos, Portugal)
• Phoenix Social Enterprise limited (Bristol, UK)

2 Sport Partners

• Amposta City Council (Spain) managing the Sport Technification Centre of the Terres de l’Ebre Regio
• Bristol City Robins Foundation (Bristol, UK) as part of Bristol City Football Club

The 24-month project hopes to tackle the ongoing issue of social exclusion for young people from areas of deprivation. It will help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds improve their self-esteem, strengthen their skills such as teamwork and bring them closer to the community.

The project aims to do the following:

1. Generate social inclusion in sport through mentoring and volunteering processes.
2. Develop healthy habits, competencies and knowledge of emotional management in young people from 16 to 24 years old coming from disadvantaged environments through the practice of sport.
3. Give support to sports clubs and organisations in the design of inclusive and social cohesive processes.
4. Establish social responsibility in sport environments by creating a network of partners that develop strategies to guarantee access to sport for all.

Due to the great success of The Robins Foundation existing mentoring scheme called the Imentor programme, it put the foundation in a strong position to be involved in this project, so the funding was granted.

This global partnership will allow The Robins Foundation to share all of the knowledge and experience from the Imentor project to help shape and form this ongoing project. As this programme is in its planning stages before it goes out to pilot, creates an exciting opportunity for the foundation to be involved from the beginning. To ensure this project is as successful as the Imentor scheme and can be rolled out worldwide.

Head of Education Chris Stenner said, "It’s an exciting project to be involved in and allows us to learn about other cultures from around the world. We are extremely proud of the success of our Imentor programme and eager to share all of the knowledge and experience gained with our partners. It demonstrates the reach that our organisation can have as well as, the positive impact it can create across the globe while learning from different cultures and experiences."