Sands End Associated Projects In Action: K’s Story
Since the Foundation’s inception in 2021, we have proudly supported our neighbours at Sands End Associated Projects in Action (SEAPIA). Founded by local residents in 1970, SEAPIA provides low-cost play and childcare provisions for children aged 4-13 in the borough through their week-day childcare and after school Adventure drop-off sessions.
In addition to special projects like our Easter egg and Christmas present donation drives, the Foundation board has agreed to provide SEAPIA with a £9,000 grant for 2024 and 2025 to fund a sessional worker. This team member will allow SEAPIA to support an additional 8-10 children per day, ensuring more children like K benefit from their brilliant work.
Meet K, aged 11...
Six years ago, K and his family moved to Fulham from another London borough, leaving K’s single mother with no friends or family to look after the children whilst at work. SEAPIA’s after school Adventure sessions offered affordable childcare and an opportunity for K to make much-needed friends in his new community. Luckily, this didn’t take long and K’s new friendships made at Adventure even helped his mum and siblings integrate within the community themselves.
Through one-to-one mentoring sessions with SEAPIA’s sport coaches, K worked to regulate his emotions and build his confidence and resilience. The coaches helped K to channel his love of football and he joined a local club, which the family would not have been able to afford without the charity’s support. A budding football star, K recently travelled to Paris and is preparing for his upcoming trials at Arsenal.
“K’s mother shared that she doesn’t know what would have happened to K without the Adventure sessions”
K’s mother shared that she doesn’t know what would have happened to K without the Adventure sessions. She felt very alone when the family moved to Fulham and the only thing that kept her going was that K and her other children had somewhere safe to go where they could have fun and meet new friends. The whole family now feels a real sense of belonging to the community which she doesn’t think would have happened without SEAPIA.
K shares more about his time at SEAPIA below:
Tell us about SEAPIA and anything that surprised you or was different than you imagined. Nothing surprised me but I didn’t think I would do so well at football.
What do you like most about the Adventure sessions and why? Playing with others and all the sports and games make me happy.
Tell us about the friends you’ve made at SEAPIA. I made lots of friends on my first day and it made me not feel scared about being on my own.
Who are the people that have made a difference to you and what did they do that really helped? Shelly is always nice, Seni helped me with football and Julie has given me opportunities.
Have you tried anything new that you enjoyed? Playing football this year at Craven Cottage.
What would you do if you couldn’t come to SEAPIA? Play on my games at home or play on the street.
How have things improved since coming here? Yes, a lot has changed, there are more opportunities like training with Fulham and Chelsea coaches and residential trips (such as K’s trip to Paris!)
Can you tell me when you started to feel better? When I realised I am good at things.
What are your hopes for the future? To work at SEAPIA’s Adventure sessions and play football for England.
Do you feel prepared for things to come? Yes, I am confident and know Adventure will always be there for me.