Fernandez helps with Sign Up To Success scheme
19th November
Sign Up To Success (SUTS) participants were last week welcomed to the Liberty Stadium by a group of former and current Swans players to record a song in a bid to break down the barriers to employment.
Welcomed by Federico Fernandez, Alan Curtis and Lee Trundle, as well as SUTS' Project Co-ordinator, Mike Howard, the group were filmed by Match of the Day performing a song backed by a local male voice choir and written and produced in partnership with local company, LearnThruMusic.
The project, funded by PLPFA and partner organisations including Meadow Prospects, aims to break down barriers by offering an array of accreditations, training opportunities and workshops, with a key barrier being self-esteem issues.
"This was a fantastic opportunity for my Sign Up To Success group to continue their development and to support their confidence building," said Howard.
"Being a part of such an iconic programme as Match of the Day was an amazing experience for the learners and it showcases the positive intervention the course is having by supporting the learners removing barriers into employment."
In partnership with LearnThruMusic, SUTS uses music as just one way to boost its participants' confidence.
With LearnThruMusic providing their skill and support when writing, recording and producing the song, a fully polished version is created, and it is a collaboration that they value.
"Working in partnership with the Swans Community Trust has been fantastic," said Nathan Dicks, LearnThruMusic's Founder and Managing Director.
"The work that the Trust does in getting young people into employment and/or training is fantastic and matches perfectly with what we have to offer as a company. Matching music making and song writing with football related topics and themes not only engages participants easily, but also increases their confidence and instils a huge range of key employability skills.
"A big thank you must go to the funders of the project, as well as Learn Thru Music, who helped deliver the course."
To watch the full feature, tune into Match of the Day on BBC2 from 12.15pm on Sunday, November 22. To find out more about the project, please contact Mike on Michael@scfccommunitytrust.co.uk
