Rugby Club Issue 57 | Page 37

saracens Saracens A s well as being one of the most successful rugby clubs in the country on the field Saracens also lead the way with their outstanding community work. Senior Development Manager Simone Shepherd took the time to tell us more about the good work they’ve been doing lately. RC: What are the main aims and objectives of the Foundation?  RC: What do you think has been the key to your success? SS: “Inspiring Communities, Changing Lives through the power of sport” SS: We our develop our programmes to be inclusive and we endeavor to reach out to some of the most vulnerable people in our community including isolated older people, excluded and disadvantaged children and young people, young offenders and ex-offenders, and disabled children and young people with a specialism with young people with severe autism. We use sport to challenge their perceptions of what they can achieve in life and support them through their journeys. The Saracens Sport Foundation is a registered charity that uses sport in its broadest sense and the Saracens brand to bring about positive change within its community. Primarily working across London and Hertfordshire, all our programmes aim to engage and challenge individuals to lead active, healthy and rewarding lifestyles and support their aspirations for personal development and achievement. In the past year we have worked with over 70,000 participants from those that are 4 years old to 90 years old and beyond. Our work is focused on four key pillars within our strategy; Participation, Health & Wellbeing, Inclusion and Education & Employability. Forming effective partnerships has been essential to delivering successful projects. By working with district and Borough council’s and a range of community groups and regional and national partners we can ensure that our work is targeted to the areas of most need. In addition, we work closely with local services such as youth offending teams, pupil referral units, probation and www.saracens.com - Twitter : @Saracens www.sportip.biz 37