Alongside delivering weekly football sessions for dozens of young people with assigned social workers, Through Care Football has also been supported through Think Active’s pilot scheme to provide a leadership programme enabling members to train as coaches.

Three members have undertaken the programme since Through Care Football started in 2025, completing a formal FA Level 1 coaching qualification alongside taking Skills360 modules on areas such as communication and leadership, as well as receiving additional support and mentoring from Sky Blues in the Community, the official charity of Coventry City FC.

The Through Care Football team achieved a landmark in January by playing their first match led by the new coaches, who also received essential kit and equipment through the Think Active funding.

Sophie Webb, advanced social worker at Coventry Children’s Services and founder of Through Care Football, said: “Not only did they give funding to the boys which allowed me to provide the coaches with coats with their initials on and buy them whistles – and we got to do a little team bonding day – but they’ve also given the boys access to Skills360.

“They can access a number of short courses looking at leadership skills, responsibility and motivation. It’s just loads of things that they can add to their CVs that really do give them skills for life.

“The biggest thing for me has been the likes of Azaam, who has been a coach now for a year – to see how he’s changed and become such a confident young man, how he’s taken on these sessions and improved his skills.”

Bradley Jacques, partnership manager at Think Active, said: “Initiatives such as Through Care Football show the power and capability of sport and being active.

“It has been wonderful to see the development of these young people through the mentorship of Sophie, the social workers at Coventry Children’s Services and Sky Blues in the Community. They have created a safe and active space that supports these young people to find friends, a community and a sense of togetherness.”

More than 100 young people were supported by Think Active’s Skills360 pilot scheme, all of whom were from priority places or demographics with unequal access to sport and leadership opportunities.

Think Active is committed to building young people’s skills and expertise through support and training in volunteering and leadership, both to create opportunities for young people as well as strengthening the workforce for the sport and physical activity sector. For more information and to keep updated about future opportunities, click here.