Kayleigh Jackson: I'm passionate about making change in our community

 

The Premier League Charitable Fund has launched the Premier League Kicks Alumni survey, which aims to understand the impact that the Premier League's longest-running community programme has on participants. 

 

As part of this campaign, they are telling the story of the programme through the voices of those who have taken part. 

 

To complete the Alumni survey, click here. 

 

Mounted on the wall at the Tigers Trust Arena is a quote from Kayleigh detailing a key moment from her time at secondary school. 

"You might have challenges but what are the reasons, why are you acting the way that you are? It's not just because you're a naughty kid. There's obviously things going on at home and having that somebody who can dig into that is so important. 

 

"There are many deprived communities within Hull. We have participants living in households where putting food on the table is a struggle. When that's the case, there is a risk of young people taking the wrong path. 

 

"For me, there's not a price that you can put on being a Premier League Kicks coach. They are ultimately a youth worker that's able to facilitate a session where young people feel safe, where their voices are heard, they're able to have a conversation and they don't feel judged. 

 

"We had one lad that used to come to our session every week. He was never dressed for football but he simply stood with me for two hours and just spoke about stuff that was going on at home. That couple of hours was massively important for him. 

 

"Coming to a Premier League Kicks session might be the only time that a young person sees a positive role model in their week. It's quite remarkable and without the programme, communities would look very different. 

 

"Premier League Kicks has grown massively. We are now delivering over 30 sessions over 10 different sites across the city. Nearly 29 per cent of our Premier League Kicks workforce are former participants. We're really committed to providing that pathway. 

 

"For me, having the opportunity to volunteer and interact on the programme has been massive. My journey is just one of thousands that I could look at across the network. I wouldn't be able to put into words what that programme has done for me. 

 

"I love watching a Premier League Kicks session taking place. I feel really proud. 

 

"I'm passionate about making change in our local community. It's taken me years and years to say it but I suppose I am that role model. When I was younger I never would have said that I would be a role model to anyone. I'd love now to be able to present in a room full of those teachers that doubted me growing up. 

 

"It's so important to be relatable and tell participants that journey. The young people might see us as coaches and say, 'if they can do that, that's something I can do.' 

 

"It's really difficult to describe what the Tigers Trust means to me. It's been such a massive part of my life. If we weren't here, I dread to think what would happen." 

 

Find out more about how you could get involved with Premier League Kicks sessions by clicking here.