A Paisley football club has pledged to Keep the Promise to local care-experienced children and young people by committing to support the Renfrewshire’s Promise Keeper Network.
Three members of Glenvale Football Club (FC) are accredited as Promise Keepers, joining more than 300 local people in the network set up by Renfrewshire Council.
All 70 coaches at the club have completed special training on Keeping the Promise in sport, hosted by the Council in partnership with OneRen.
The club runs 16 family-level teams and three senior teams for players aged 16 to 25.
Mary Cumming, Glenvale FC Secretary, said:
We found the training enhanced our practice and made us think to a deeper level about our own experiences and each other’s, and our responsibility as trusted adults for our young people and colleagues.
Promise Keepers act as local champions by promoting and advocating for the needs of care-experienced people. They act on the knowledge they’ve gained and help improve services for care-experienced children and young people.
Renfrewshire’s Promise Keeper network includes Council staff, partners and community organisations, like Glenvale FC.
The Promise is a commitment made by Scottish Government to make sure all care-experienced children and young people feel safe, loved and respected. It aims to improve their lives while in the care system or on the edges of care and act on the recommendations of the Independent Care Review.
Councillor Emma Rodden, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Policy Board, said:
I’m delighted to see Renfrewshire’s Promise Keeper network expand. Everyone has a role to play in supporting care-experienced children and young people to thrive, aided by our Promise team.
Glenvale FC’s commitment is outstanding. By equipping their coaches with the right training and understanding, they’re creating a safe and supportive environment for young people to thrive—on and off the pitch.
Maurice Gilligan, the Promise manager for Renfrewshire, said:
One aim of The Promise is to improve the health and wellbeing of our Care Experienced community. Sport plays a vital role in achieving this. Glenvale FC’s commitment to The Promise is a powerful reflection of an inclusive club rooted at the heart of its community.
Anyone who is interested in their community organisation or business becoming Promise Keepers can email Samantha Macrae at samantha.macrae@renfrewshire.gov.uk to find out more.