Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) are delighted to establish a working partnership with the trade union Community, which represents workers within the charities and sports sectors.
Community is providing financial support to CACT to help fund employment opportunities for two young people over the next year.
Harley Bagnall-Taylor is a youth worker from Thamesmead. He is the youngest sibling from a family of 5 who has always struggled with health issues and precarious accommodation.
After taking up volunteering opportunities offered to him by CACT through the local youth service, he has gained skills and competencies allowing him to assist families in similar situations with support and advice.
Sandra Kweik, 19, moved to England from Poland aged 1. Being a carer for her young siblings and leaving school with limited qualifications has been a challenge, but now she has graduated from voluntary to paid youth work with CACT her passion has become her job.
Community’s contribution will go towards the wages and ongoing professional development of Harley and Sandra.
John Park, Assistant General Secretary of Community, said;
“We’re really excited to be working with CACT and supporting young people like Harley and Sandra.
Football brings communities together and can provide opportunities that wouldn’t normally be available otherwise.
That’s what this project aims to do - support those who are out of work and potentially find them suitable employment in the future.”
Marc Leckie, Director of Youth and Inclusion at CACT said:
“We’re passionate about identifying and nurturing local talent within our workforce. It’s vitally important that community workers reflect and understand the people they’re trying to work with.
We’re proud to be working with Community to make this belief a reality in South East London.”