Council partners with Joe Ledley Football Academy
The Vale of Glamorgan Council has worked with the Joe Ledley Football Academy to offer children attending sessions at Whitmore High School free healthy meals and a range of other benefits.
As part of its Sustainable Communities for Learning programme, the Council is committed to providing top class educational facilities, not only for school pupils but also the wider community.
With this in mind, Joe Ledley’s academy, which ran the last of its summer sessions this week, was allowed to use the 4G sports pitch free of charge.
In return, they offered those taking part a discounted rate, while certain children who might not otherwise have been able to attend were sponsored by the Council’s Big Fresh Catering Company.
Big Fresh also provided a nutritious lunch and snacks, while football coaches gave talks on the importance of healthy eating.
Cllr Rhiannon Birch, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Education, Arts and the Welsh Language, said: “Delivered in partnership with Welsh Government, our Sustainable Communities for Learning programme has helped transform schools across the Vale into ultra-modern learning environments with state-of-the-art facilities.
“As well as school pupils, this upgrading work is also designed to benefit the wider community and the agreement with the Joe Ledley Football Academy is a perfect example of this aim being put into practice.
“Sadly, many people are already experiencing food poverty and this problem will only intensify as the cost-of-living crisis continues. In order to avoid any stigma, the Council’s Big Fresh catering company offered all those attending the football sessions free nutritious food and snacks regardless of their personal circumstances.
“This is the latest example of the widespread positive impact Big Fresh is having since it was established three years ago.”
Big Fresh’s innovative business model sees it operate as a Local Authority Trading Company, meaning it is a commercial entity.
Supplying healthy meals for partner schools, the company also provides an outside catering service, operates a street food trailer and runs the Big Fresh Café on Penarth Pier.
All profits are returned to schools and the business itself as none of the directors are salaried and the Council, as the only shareholder, does not draw any money from the company.
Money has been used to improve the quality and variety of school meals, pay for football kits and also fund other projects such as an al fresco dining area at Barry Island Primary.
Joe Ledley, Chairman and Owner of Joe Ledley Football Academy, said: “I’m delighted that we have been able to work so effectively with the Council and bring the academy to Barry at a reduced price.
“All three of our four-day courses were very well attended, with children learning about nutrition as well as football. There were talks about healthy diet, foods and drinks to consume while playing sports and the right diet to help with recovery.
“Big Fresh Catering Company also delivered lunch and snacks to keep everyone performing at their best.”