Football in the Community Volunteer Nel Smith gets a thank you gift from U’s Captain Tommy Smith and the First Team squad.
Nel Smith has engaged in our Football in the Community’s female programmes over a number of years and since turning 16 has given up her time to volunteer with the club within a range of community programmes. This summer she has given up her 6 weeks summer holidays in between her transition to 6th Form College to support Community Staff with the Activate Programme supported by Active Essex.
This programme has provided young people aged 5-11 years old at Shrub End, Colchester, Colchester Academy, Greenstead and the Pavilion in Harwich with a safe space to come and enjoy activities run by community staff. Activities have included a range of different sports (Football, Tag Rugby, Basketball, Archery, Rounders and many more), enrichment opportunities delivered by local partners (Music, Singing and Dance) and healthy lifestyle workshops (Wellbeing, nutrition, cooking). The programme also provided children with a hot meal at lunchtime throughout the 6 weeks.
Nel has been supporting the Activate programmes run at Shrub End and Colchester Academy Monday-Friday throughout summer. Nel shared “Thank you for the opportunity to come and help the coaches support children over the summer. I’ve really enjoyed my time and look forward to coming back during the next school holidays”.
Tommy Smith, Colchester United Club Captain contacted Nel on her last day of volunteering and forwarded a message from himself and the squad “On behalf of all the players and staff at the club, we just wanted to say thank you very much for all your voluntary work throughout the summer holidays and as a token of our gratitude we wanted to gift you a little something we hope you enjoy!”
Tommy Smith kindly donated a one his match worn shirts signed by the squad and staff to Nel as a thank you for her commitment and work in the community over the summer.
Activate will return for the October half term dependant on funding to support families within the community during the half term break.
For more information on Activate - https://www.activeessex.org/children-young-people/essex-activate/
Are you a volunteer looking to support your local community?
Get in touch with us by contacting – Fitc@colchesterunited.net