Charity scheme helps local children gain confidence

Jessie says he is glad he got picked to take part in the scheme

A new project is helping local children build confidence and learn life skills "in a different way to the traditional classroom", through creative workshops.

Raise Your Game, for 10-13 year olds, is run by Gloucester Rugby Charitable Foundation and BBC Children in Need at Gloucester Rugby's Kingsholm Stadium.

The programme, running sessions like DJing and rugby coaching, is designed to help children struggling with confidence, behaviour or social connection.

Tom George from Gloucester Rugby Charitable Foundation said: "It's about giving young people the belief that they can achieve in school and in life."

Children can learn to DJ and produce music as part of the project

"What we wanted to do is give children a chance to learn in a different way to the traditional classroom," said Mr George.

The weekly sessions involve a mix of team sport, art, cooking, music and mentoring, including "world-class" rugby coaching, added Mr George.

Participants are nominated by their schools and are often pupils who would benefit from extra support, structure or encouragement.

Each session is designed to promote self-esteem, teamwork and resilience, with children encouraged to step outside their comfort zones in a safe and supportive environment.

Mia, 10, said she could not wait to play the song she produced to her family.

"I love music, we learn new things every week we come here, it makes me happy," she said.

Meanwhile Jessie, 10, who took part in a music DJ and producing session, said it was a dream come true.

"Other people should come, it is so much fun and I'm so glad I got picked," he said.

Mia says the sessions make her happy

Carly Roberts, the SEND coordinator for Blakley, Pillowell and Walmore Hill Schools, said "withdrawn" children who take part in the session had shown "huge changes" and improvements in school attendance and behaviour.

Raise Your Game is funded in part by donations to BBC Children in Need, which supports hundreds of similar projects across the UK.