School programme to improve wellbeing through sport

The Youth Sport Trust (YST) and Ortus Energy are partnering to deliver a nationwide schools programme that equips young people with the skills, confidence and opportunities to lead change.

The ‘Youth Leadership Project’, powered by Ortus Energy, will use the inspiration and expertise of YST's established Athlete Mentors to empower young leaders to harness the positive power of play and sport to help improve wellbeing, build friendships, and foster better understanding of one another.

The programme will help young people to lead active and healthier lives, support their personal development and be environmentally educational, showing them how they can work together for a more sustainable planet and future. The project partnership is aimed at young leaders aged 14-16 and will give them skills to help nurture and inspire younger pupils.

Alistair Booth, CEO of Ortus Energy, said: “We’re all about powering change – and change for the better. Supporting Youth Sport Trust enables us to demonstrate that commitment. The power of sport is important, it builds self-esteem, it encourages healthy competition and, most importantly, respect for one another. These are all core values we hold very dear as well.

“Through this collaboration, we also want to help schools become more energy resilient and invest in more positive outcomes – not only for their young people and future leaders through the inclusive power of sport, but a clean, green energy source that will dramatically reduce both fuel costs and their carbon footprint. Together with Youth Sport Trust, we will power a future that is sustainable for the next generation.”

Five schools across the UK in Croydon, Matlock, West Bromwich, Carmarthen and Dumfries, will participate in initial co-creation workshops with 15 more schools to joining a pilot programme between September and December 2022. The national roll out will run January to December 2023 for a further 230 schools.

Ali Oliver MBE, CEO at the Youth Sport Trust, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Ortus Energy. These are extraordinary times for young people and things have become critical for their health and happiness. We live in a world where we are moving less, where digital technology is having an increasing impact on young lives and where children feel lonely and disconnected.

“This exciting partnership with Ortus Energy will enable us to empower communities of young leaders who harness the positive power of play and sport to improve well-being, build friendships and foster understanding for their peers. We strive to be a globally responsible charity and through our partnership with Ortus Energy we are also committed to enabling schools across the UK to access solar power, increasing their awareness and positive contribution to our climate change crisis.”