Young people supported by Foundation invited to open training session

Tottenham Futures was the beneficiary of donations made by fans attending the men’s open training session at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday.

Youngsters who participate on the life skills and development programme - run by the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation to engage those aged 10-17 through a six-week programme of workshops and games - were excited to be in attendance.

Among them were Harri, 11, and Uriah, 12, who both got the opportunity to line up and greet the players when they entered the pitch.

Harri, from Wood Green, got so much out of her first six weeks on Tottenham Futures that she was invited back for a second term.

Mum Tiffany explained: “Harri’s benefited a lot. It’s an environment in which she feels relaxed, has made a good group of friends and will open up on things she might not necessarily want to at home or elsewhere.”

Not only that, Harri loves to play football and is now taking part in the Foundation’s after-school sessions for girls, along with seven-year-old sister Jorgee.

This has led to Harri being identified as a talented player and representing Spurs in community games.

Tiffany added: “She really enjoys all the activities she accesses through the Foundation and the paths they’ve opened up. She doesn’t want to go to any other places now!”

Uriah, from Walthamstow, has had a “spring in his step” since starting Tottenham Futures, according to mum Charleen.

“Uriah can be quite introverted at times and when he started I was concerned about how he’d get on.

“I’m told he’s vocal and engages well, though, and I’d say the sessions have brought that out of him.

“They’ve also helped him develop the confidence to travel by himself as he now navigates from school to the sessions via two buses.”

Activities offered during Tottenham Futures sessions vary from football and expressive arts to cooking classes and career advice sessions, with the opportunity for one-to-one mentoring also on offer.

The programme supports children across Haringey, Enfield and surrounding boroughs, with funding from London’s Violence Reduction Unit.

Foundation programme coordinator Lauren Black said: “Tottenham Futures is about supporting young people to develop new and existing skills, preparing them for independence and adulthood, and helping them feel positive about their futures.

“We do this through a range of sessions, mixing leisure with opportunities to take on board practical advice.

“The programme is a relatively new offering from the Foundation, but as Harri and Uriah’s stories show it’s already having a positive impact, so money raised from the open training session will serve as a welcome boost.”

To find out more about and how to get involved in Tottenham Futures sessions email lauren.black@tottenhamhotspur.com.