Wildcats in the community - program launch 

Swindon Wildcats, this week launched a new Not-for-profit Community Interest Company

 

The town's premier Ice Hockey club, the Swindon Wildcats, this week launched a new Not-for-profit Community Interest Company, "Wildcats in the Community", formalising and growing their development effort that works closely with children, youths and adults alike in local communities.

In trial activities between September 2007 and April 2008, the Swindon
Wildcats worked with over thirty schools and 12,000 children as part
of a schools programme. Over 120 children each week participated in
the first phase of the club's bespoke Learn to Skate programme, with
over 180 each week taking part at the culmination of the programme in April 2008.

Responding to the amazing success and keen enthusiasm shown by local schools, the programme is being expanded to five days a week, working with 500 children from the local area every week.

A key component of the Wildcats In The Community programme is
'equality'. The activities will serve all members of local communities, emphasising accessibility and participation for all youths, children and adults, no matter what gender, ability, ethnic background or social status.

Schools and youth organisations also have the opportunity to raise
funds through their participation in the "Cash Back for Schools"
initiative: By nominating a game and marketing it within their school
or organisation, all tickets sold to children for and on behalf of
that group are paid back in full - the adults receive a hefty
discount, too. Through this scheme in 2007/08, in association with
Specsavers Opticians in Swindon, the hockey club refunded over £2000.