Apollo Active
Who we are and what we do?
Apollo Active delivers the Game Changers programme in Prescot and Whiston, providing children and young people with free access to sport, mentoring, personal development and accredited learning opportunities.
The programme creates a safe and positive environment where young people can build confidence, improve their wellbeing, develop new skills and strengthen their connections with education, sport and their local communities.
Alongside regular sports sessions, Game Changers provides opportunities to develop leadership and employability skills, take part in educational experiences and progress into wider community activities and volunteering.
How has the grant helped?
Funding from the Oliver Lymes Charity has helped Apollo Active maintain consistent, high-quality provision for children and young people in Prescot and Whiston.
The grant has primarily supported the costs of existing staff delivering the programme, as well as programme delivery, the organisation's learning hub and accredited qualifications. This has enabled young people to access regular sports sessions, mentoring, personal development activities and opportunities to gain new qualifications.
The programme currently engages an average of 40 children and young people every week, with strong attendance and retention.
The funding has also helped create opportunities that extend beyond regular sessions. Young people have taken part in educational and aspirational visits to Silverstone and Wimbledon, as well as an outdoor education experience at Lord Derby's Estate, where 10 young people developed confidence, teamwork and resilience through activities including water sports, canoeing, bushcraft and archery.
These experiences have helped broaden young people's horizons and expose them to new environments, careers and opportunities that they may not otherwise have experienced.
Updates
The Game Changers programme continues to grow, with 15 young people now volunteering within the programme, developing leadership, coaching and employability skills while supporting younger participants.
More than 30 young people attending the Prescot provision have also gone on to engage with Apollo Active's wider programmes, with many progressing into community football teams and volunteering opportunities connected to the organisation's men's semi-professional football team.
The programme is continuing to expand its educational and enrichment opportunities. Upcoming visits include the Bank of England, where young people will explore financial awareness and money management, and the Houses of Parliament, providing an opportunity to learn about democracy, decision-making and the importance of having a youth voice.
Apollo Active has also recently developed partnerships with Adidas and AC Milan, creating exciting new opportunities and helping raise aspirations among the young people involved.
With participation continuing to grow, Apollo Active is now looking at how it can expand its organisational capacity and facilities to meet increasing demand and build on the impact already being achieved across Prescot, Whiston and the wider community.
