As part of the Players’ Project, an initiative where West Ham United's men's, women's, and Academy players generously devote their time to community initiatives, Abbey-Leigh Stringer visited the students of Basildon Academy, a partner school of the WHU Foundation.
Her visit was part of a Premier League Inspires workshop, a programme which aims to harness the influential force of football to motivate young individuals aged eleven to 18.
Engaging young people who may be at risk of not fulfilling their potential, PL Inspires seeks to nurture their personal skills and instil positive attitudes, essential for success in life.
Launched in 2019, the Premier League funded scheme paves the way for participants to cultivate personal, social, employability, and life skills. It does so through a set of one-to-one mentoring sessions, workshops, and social-action projects. To date, the programme has positively impacted over 30,000 students, equipping them with the essential tools to shape a more promising future.
At Basildon Academy, the WHU Foundation's Senior Education Officer, Madison Hooper, has been diligently working with a group of Year seven, eight, and nine students. These students, having experienced deregulation within mainstream school systems, may grapple with issues like anxiety, self-esteem concerns, and behavioural challenges. Hooper’s role involves mentoring these students, assisting them in regaining their place within mainstream education.
Deputy SEN Coordinator at Basildon Academy, Lisa Allen, speaks highly of the Foundation’s contributions, noting: "Madi has been fantastic. The impact she's had on these students has been fantastic. Their interactions with Madi have been so constructive that they eagerly seek extra sessions with her. Their overall demeanour and engagement at school have notably improved as a result of her efforts.”
To reward these students for their behaviour and commitment, the WHU Foundation orchestrated a special visit from Abbey-Leigh Stringer. In a student-led Q&A session following the workshop, which revolved around the theme of resilience, the WHUW midfielder shared her own journey towards becoming a professional footballer.
Stringer candidly discussed the challenges she encountered during her pursuit of becoming a pro athlete, leaving a lasting impression on the female students, some of whom participate in grassroots-level football.
“Meeting Abbey-Leigh was inspirational,” said Year 9 student Gracie. “I enjoyed learning about how she has overcome obstacles to get to where she is as well as asking her questions. It was interesting listening to her talk about mental health too."
In reflecting on the player appearance, Allen expressed her pride in the students, remarking: "I’m very proud of all of them. It was very well deserved for the whole group. They work really hard at school. It’s a challenge. To sit there and engage with a WSL player and ask some insightful questions, but I thought they did a great job!"
