AFC Fylde Community Foundation work closely with Pear Tree School to deliver an NCS programme to young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Partnered with the English Football League (EFL) Trust and National Citizen Service (NCS) Trust, the Foundation are able to deliver this programme to 19 participants at Pear Tree School, which is based in the centre of Kirkham.

The young people will take on a number of tasks such as budgeting, cooking and money management under independent living.

They will also develop their work readiness through CV building and interview techniques as well as spending the day at Mill Farm where they will get to look at a number of job roles across the organisation.

Our trained staff have to tailor each session to the specific individuals and deliver the class in a manner that the students can not only enjoy, but also actively engage with and understand.

The course is delivered by our Community Development Co-ordinator, Scott Harries, and Daniel Monckton, the Foundation’s School Services Manager.

The lessons take place every Wednesday from 09:30-11:30 for three months. They are split into two sections, the first hour is classroom activities and then the second hour is spent outside playing all different kinds of sports.

Assistant Director to the Foundation, Michael Whittle, believes: “It is important that the Foundation is able to offer the same programmes to young people with SEND as other participants in mainstream schools.”

Michael also stated: “Having a close relationship with Pear Tree allows us to go in school and work with the young people over a 12-week period.

“We already work with a number of the participants who attend our Just Join in sessions in an evening, which are funded by National League and Children in Need”

The Community Foundation is extremely proud of the programme and hopes it will continue to be a success.