If we do not give young people the chance to belong to something that matters to them, they become vulnerable to less positive groups/gangs who will lure them into dangerous activities. As schools, we do our absolute best to create cultures where everyone feels that they belong and I am immensely proud that so many students across Basingstoke feel strong affiliations to their schools or colleges.
As strong as our educational establishments are at building communities, we can only do so much and there is a further responsibility on all of us to build positive cultures of belonging in our local areas.
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Chris Edwards, Brighton Hill Community School headteacher (Image: Brighton Hill Community School) One shining example of this is featured in the Welcome to Wrexham documentary, whereby the city’s football team has risen from the ashes to become an absolute beacon of joy and hope for the local community. It has very clearly united people and brought together people who would otherwise not have mixed. The local economy is now thriving and Wrexham is suddenly an international travel destination.
Clearly, the support of Hollywood superstars has enabled Wrexham’s fairytale story to happen. More locally, our town’s football club, Basingstoke Town is 100 per cent fan-owned and run by a supremely committed team of volunteers. I am fortunate enough to witness the lengths they go to run a financially viable club which is the pride of the local community, but they cannot do it alone. Our town’s club will only continue to run if it can raise enough funds to thrive and that is where we can all help…
The club has recently launhced some commercial opportunities for companies, both big and small. Every penny committed by business will be reinvested into football and community ventures, boosting our local area. There are opportunities, amongst others, to sponsor the youth teams, women’s teams or the pan-disability teams. Alternatively, the club would love to welcome any new fans who would like to come along and support on match days. Please follow the links below to help our football club thrive and help transform our local community.
Commercial opportunities btfc.co.uk/commercialFirst team fixtures btfc.co.uk/fixturesWomen’s fixtures btfc.co.uk/btfcw.