Celtic FC Foundation partner with Utilita to deliver Summer Games

Celtic FC Foundation partner with Utilita to deliver Summer Games

In partnership with Utilita, Celtic FC Foundation was delighted to today welcome a group of young participants to Celtic Park to take part in a four-week diversionary project. Based at Celtic Park and surrounding locations, the Utilita Summer Games will work with 65 vulnerable young people who require extensive ongoing support during the school holidays.

In addition, one day per week the programme will be dedicated to a further 20 participants, who have been involved in the Autism and Down’s Syndrome strands of our award-winning Ability Counts project. During the official launch at Celtic Park, participants enjoyed a healthy breakfast and received a full training kit ahead of taking part in their first physical activity session.

The Utilita Summer Games will run at Celtic Park until August 3, every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9.30am-3pm, for children between 8-14-years-old.

Healthy meals, education and workshops

Alongside three healthy meals per day, a host of fun and educational activities are provided free of charge, including multi-sports and music workshops, together with circus skills.  A range of fun inflatable activities will also be located around the Celtic Way on various dates during the project. Throughout the curriculum, personal development workshops will support participants in developing team-building skills, communication skills and positive self-image. On the final date of the project, there will be a celebration day at Celtic Park, with children and parents or guardians invited to attend together.

Speaking at the launch event, Tony Hamilton, Chief Executive at Celtic FC Foundation, said: “Each year, our Summer Games project gets directly to the heart of what we do at Celtic FC Foundation, delivering support for young people in each of our key priority areas: improving health, promoting equality, encouraging learning and tackling poverty. There is a clear synergy with this ethos and the positive work that Utilita carry out in our surrounding communities. We are, therefore, delighted that they have chosen to partner with us this in this year’s initiative.”

Jem Maidment, Director of Marketing and Communications at Utilita, said: “After the success of our previous employability project, once again, we are thrilled to partner with Celtic FC Foundation – this time for the Summer Games – and to be providing fun, engaging activities for disadvantaged children and young people in the East End of Glasgow. At Utilita, we always look for ways to help hard-pressed families in the UK and events like this help us achieve this goal.

“Giving children opportunities to learn and have fun at Celtic Park is fantastic and the workshops on offer will go a long way towards the development of participants – boosting confidence at a pivotal age and ensuring a positive, lasting effect for their future.”

Since its inception in 2012, the Summer Games has supported hundreds of young people during the school holidays.