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Students at Outwood Academy Kirkby have made a real difference in their school community through a social action project delivered as part of the Premier League Inspires programme, which is funded by the Premier League Charitable Fund.

Premier League Inspires is a nationwide initiative that uses the power of football to help young people fulfil their potential. Delivered by professional football club community organisations across England and Wales, the programme works with 11–25-year-olds who are at risk of not reaching their goals, whether due to low confidence, learning challenges, or other personal barriers.

Through tailored interventions in schools, community settings and alternative education providers, Premier League Inspires focuses on developing key life skills such as resilience, leadership, and teamwork, while also encouraging participants to make a positive contribution to their communities.

Over 10 weeks, a group of Key Stage 3 students, identified as educationally gifted, took part in a tailored intervention designed to build leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. The project was inspired by Ofsted recommendations around tackling bullying and improving student support, with a focus on mental health and wellbeing.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the programme was seeing students who don’t usually work together form a cohesive and effective team. From the very start, they took full ownership of the planning and delivery process.

As part of their journey, the group participated in the ‘Bags of Character’ programme – a toolkit of more than 100 warmups, team-building challenges, and self-help tools. These activities helped students develop confidence, mental toughness, and collaboration, preparing them for the challenge ahead.

After brainstorming several potential ideas, the group decided that a school bake sale would be the most practical and inclusive way to make an impact. Their aims were clear: raise awareness of mental health, promote wellbeing, and raise funds for a local cause.

They chose to support Improving Lives Nottingham, a charity providing vital mental health services in the region. On the day, the students not only sold cakes but also shared wellbeing tips with their peers, helping to spark conversations around mental health.

The event proved to be a huge success, raising over £100 for the charity and bringing the school community together in a positive way.

Premier League Inspires Lead Coach, Zack, said: “The group have worked really well together over the past 10 weeks. It was great to see them take ownership of the project from the start and choose an issue that means something to them.

“The bake sale was a simple but effective way to raise both money and awareness for mental health, and it brought the school community together in a positive way. They managed to raise over £100 for Improving Lives Nottingham, which is a fantastic result and something they should be really proud of.”

One student participant reflected: “It felt good to do something that helps other people and raise money for a cause that matters. I’ve definitely become more confident and better at speaking up in a group.”

Through this project, the students have not only developed key life skills but also shown how young people can lead the way in making a positive difference.