Community

THE PHOENIX PROJECT

The Phoenix Project is a series of multi-award winning social inclusion programmes that use rugby union skills, drills and games to engage some of the most disaffected and ‘at risk’ young people in our community today. We achieve this engagement by combining the values and ethics that rugby union holds dear, with elite sport and education delivery supplied by specialist Bristol Rugby Community Foundation staff, coupled with the impact that a professional rugby club can possess.

Through this engagement the Phoenix Project effectively addresses specific issues and/or faciliate delivery of a variety of secondary educational messages for service providers/government agencies such as Children & Young Persons Services, Avon Fire & Rescue Service, Safer Bristol, Bristol Drugs Project, SARI (Support Against Racist Incidents), Brooks (Sexual Health), Second Chance Project, SERCO, HM Prisons to name but a few.

The Phoenix Project currently deliver two main programmes, they are The Bright Sparks Programme and The Inferno Programme.            

Bright Sparks logoSitec

THE BRIGHT SPARKS PROGRAMME is a 38 week placement in CYPS designated secondary schools for groups of up to 15 young people who are ‘at risk’ from persistent non-attendance, permanent exclusion, low educational attainment, poor behaviour and/or low self esteem.  Bright Sparks addresses the proven link between exclusion from mainstream education and subsequent poor life choices. The primary aim of the Bright Sparks programme is to act as a preventative measure against poor life choices and anti-social behaviour by providing real and tangible examples of how these poor choices will affect their short, middle and long term lives in order to prevent significant cost and drain on local communities.  The course is further enhanced by the introduction of a National College Open Network Award/Certificate/Diploma which is awarded according to the educational ability of each young person and time spent on the course.

Bristol Rugby Community Foundation is proud to be working in partnership with SITEC, Bristol City Council, Avon Fire & Rescue and the 5 participating Bristol City Secondary Schools which are Orchard School, Henbury School, Brislington Enterprise College, Bedminster Down and Gateway EBD. These partners contribute towards providing the facilities, support, policy advice and funding that make the Bright Sparks programme so successful and rewarding.

 
Inferno programme logo

THE INFERNO PROGRAMME is a 5 tier initiative for Young Offenders in Youth Offending Institutions, Residential Pupil Referral Units and/or Secure Units.  Inferno is delivered in partnership with Safer Bristol, SERCO Prisons and the Second Chance Project, all of which provide funding and policy advice to assist the delivery and development of this ground breaking and multi award-winning programme:

  • Level One: Identification/recognition of suitable Young Offenders through mainstream prison Physical Education
  • Level Two: Monday night rugby proficiency course
  • Level Three: Wednesday morning NOCN Education Club
  • Level Four:  R.O.T.L. opportunities linked to the Bright Sparks programme
  • Level Five:  Extended R.O.T.L. placements / work experience

Although the primary aim of the Inferno programme is address young people who are not in education, employment or training, the programme has also proven to examine and address issues behavioural conduct, anger management, self awareness and emotional resilience.  The primary aims of the programme are to engage and practically educate dissaffected young people using the medium of contact sport, namely rugby union. 

For further information on the Phoenix Project, Inferno or Bright Sparks, please contact Ben Breeze at bbreeze@bristolrugby.co.uk or phone 01179581641 (work) or 07966 797343 (mobile).
 

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