The Premier League Primary Stars Programme at Preston North End aims to make a lasting difference to its participants, none more evident than young Ben from Blessed Sacrament Primary School who like many others, has seen a significant change in his behaviour when sport is introduced to his curriculum.
The Premier League Primary Stars Programme is the framework PNE use when delivering into schools, with programmes centred around healthy eating, PSHE and other extra-curricular activity at the core of the scheme.
Blessed Sacrament in Ribbleton have been working with North End since September, investing in various programmes with aims to improve the lives and aspirations of children on and off the sports field.
Mrs Quinn from Blessed Sacrament provides Pupil Support at Blessed Sacrament Primary School and works closely with Ben in helping him to cope; both with issues in and out of school, and she noted improvements in Ben's behaviour believing that he finds comfort when PNE coaches come in and deliver the PL Stars Programme.
"In school Ben really struggles, more so in unstructured time," said Mrs Quinn.
"He has a lot happening (outside of school) bless him, but knowing that we have this for him and his friends makes a huge difference to his behaviour as he's not focusing on anything other than sport.
"He looks up to Danny (Schools Provision Officer at PNE) as he knows him from lunch time clubs.
"Ben loves sport so this is ideal for him and it stops him from getting into trouble at school."
Having a role model is vitally important for any child not just Ben, and Schools Provision Manager Harriet Creighton-Levis stated that this is a regular output when the Primary Stars Programme is delivered in schools.
"Premier League stars for us is about building an ever-lasting relationship in schools. It's not just we turn up and leave, we like to work with the children, build a relationship and really engage with them during that contact time."
To discover the full impact the Primary Stars Programme has made on Ben, watch the video in full above.
If you'd like to find out more about Preston North End's Premier League Primary Stars Programme and how to get your school involved, contact the Community and Education Trust on 01772 693309 or email Harriet@pne.com.