“The Community Sports Foundation have been the key to unlock Sidney’s potential”

Back in February 2022, the Foundation was approached to see if they could support a young person struggling with their confidence, wellbeing, weight and personal safety.

The Onside programme, which offers a one-to-one intervention, provided exactly the support that Sidney needed.

Sidney is 14 years old and is autistic. Over the last few years he struggled to engage at school, has become aggressive towards his mother, and has become clinically overweight, which has negatively impacted his health.

His social skills had also diminished throughout COVID-19 lockdowns, so he sought socialising through playing video games online with strangers, which posed new risks.

Head of Curriculum at the Community Sports Foundation, Stevie Bramble, recalled meeting Sidney for the first time:

“When Sidney visited us initially, he was very reserved and lacked the confidence to engage socially. Health professionals were concerned by a clinically obese BMI, and his levels of screen time were exposing risks to online safety.”

It was at this point that Stevie laid out Sidney’s personal mentoring programme to begin the positive changes, using the club and its badge as a reward for positive behaviours.

Key areas Stevie targeted were; support a healthy lifestyle, improve his confidence, decision making, and relationships.

Sidney would meet regularly with the Foundation staff where goals were set for the upcoming period. If successful in achieving them, he would “unlock” another area of the stadium where the following mentoring session would take place, as he responded well to a ‘reward-scheme’ type structure.

Sidney completed a positive school trip and was attending the gym twice per week, so was rewarded with visiting the home team changing room at Carrow Road.

Maz, who is Sidney’s family support worker, said:

“We now have a super excited and confident Sidney and he has lost a considerable amount of weight with a walking programme and a healthy diet that he controls with menus created by his favourite players.”

His relationship with mum is also flourishing. This stemmed from a combination of Maz’s ability to empower her and saying no to violence, resulting in her feeling safe and proud.

Tracey, Sidney’s Mum shared:

“Sidney has come on leaps and bounds physically and mentally and has settled down with his anger issues. He no longer wants to lash out and hit me. This intervention has massively impacted our relationship for the better as we now have a fun relationship, and he actually wants to spend time with me.”

Stevie also shared his thoughts regarding Sidney’s progression:

“The Sidney who visits us now is far more confident, looks healthier and happier, likes a joke with Foundation staff and is well known to the reception and security team who greet him upon his arrival at Carrow Road”.

His school also saw a different Sidney, engaging with his peers and creating friendships with a newfound confidence as a result of the Onside programme and the Community Sports Foundation.

“We are so grateful for the opportunity to work with Stevie at the Community Sports Foundation. Our student has been on an extraordinary journey and the difference made to his life is immeasurable. The improvement to not just physical health and appearance, but to his mental wellbeing, has impacted his future aspirations and success”.