Dr Gary Stidder showcases local community projects supported through the School of Sport & Service Management – Football 4 Peace Cool Club, Challenge Camp and Discovery Camp.

Cool Club Nearly 200 primary school children from Eastbourne and Brighton participated in the University of Brighton’s widening participation project during the school Easter holidays. From 30 March to 2 April, children aged between seven and eight worked in teams during the week as part of the Cool Club whilst those aged nine and ten followed a similar programme known as the Challenge Camp. Activities included street surfing, Kinball, jump rope, new age kurling and orienteering. They worked with Football 4 Peace (F4P) International coaches who used the F4P curriculum and methodology to teach children about values such as respect, trust, responsibility and inclusion. The whole event culminated in a festival at the School of Sport and Service Management in Eastbourne. Events such as the cool club and challenge camp reach out to children who may not ordinarily get an opportunity to take part in school holiday programmes because they are usually unaffordable for many parents. The widening participation scheme ensures that these events are free of charge whilst providing a very valuable educational experience for children. Not only are they physically active, they have an opportunity to try new and exciting activities, meet new friends and learn about the importance of values in society.

Easter Challenge Camp Children from primary schools in Brighton and Eastbourne took part in the University of Brighton’s Easter Challenge Camp at the School of Sport and Service Management in Eastbourne. Through the teaching of physical activities with the values of trust, respect, responsibility, neutrality, equity and inclusion, the F4P methodology aims to: • Promote health awareness • Enhance attitudes towards leading a healthy active lifestyle • Help young people to exercise safely to improve health and wellbeing • Break down inhibitions • Build trust, co-operation and sharing • Increase working relationships • Introduce children to the language and vocabulary of higher education • Introduce children to the university campus and university students • Encourage team work • Allow joint decision-making and problem-solving • Encourage individuals to work outside ‘usual’ friendship boundaries • Develop positive personal and social qualities • Reinforce the theme of citizenship

Discovery Camp Children from primary schools in Brighton, Hastings and Eastbourne took part in the University of Brighton’s Summer Discovery Camp - A free event to all primary school children. Children took part in 24 different physical activities during the week before they were due to return to their respective primary schools.