The Berkeley Foundation has supported the Super 1s programme since 2013 through our Strategic Partnership with the Lord’s Taverners. We have invested £1.1m so far, and the programme has grown from four London boroughs to being delivered nationwide. 94% of Super 1s participants said they were more able to make friends because of the programme.
This is George’s story, written by his parents Sarah and Matthew.
A parent’s perspective.
George, who is 21, lives with a learning disability which gives him high levels of anxiety. He is an only child who has always loved sport and cricket and craves the company of his own age group.
The improvements in his well-being and general happiness when he participates in cricket are so obvious – without team sport he becomes withdrawn and his mental health rapidly declines.
In 2015 George became involved in Table Cricket and later Super 1s. The positive effect this has had has helped dispel his anxiety and is integral to his positive mental wellbeing, personal development and independence. We have seen him develop vital life skills like leadership, self-esteem, confidence and social skills which are benefitting so many aspects of his life as he moves into adulthood.
George thrives on being part of a team and his confidence has grown hugely in his own ability as he is recognised as a leader. Through disability cricket, he has competed coach support training and is now taking his first steps towards his long-held desire to be a sports coach. Throughout lockdown George was a strong and cheerful role model across the Super 1s programme, setting and demonstrating challenges via video for Super 1s participants. He also works alongside his coach delivering disability cricket sessions in schools.
As parents we are very proud of what he has achieved and George is keen to continue progressing.
"I like helping other teams. I feel excited, happy and proud when I play. I want to coach the smaller children and teach them how to bat, bowl and field."