Port Vale Foundation Trust and the Sir Stanley Matthews Foundation (SSMF) are today announcing an exciting partnership that will initially see the two working together on an ambitious youth development programme.

The programme will be hoping to develop young people from Stoke-on-Trent, wherever they are in life, to become a responsible, resilient and engaged member of society who cares about their local community and who also takes pride in themselves. 

The aim of the partnership is to provide young people from the city with qualifications relevant to their interests, connecting and adding value to Port Vale Foundation’s existing mentorship programme by linking into the SSMF values, and to offer a wide variety of work experience which is interesting, exciting and inspirational.

The ultimate objective is for the young people to gain employment within two years, whether that’s with one of the projects and people whom they have met or with the new qualifications they have gained.

The partnership comes off the back of a successful ‘Passion 4 Coaching’ programme which the Sir Stanley Matthews Foundation deliver alongside the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation that was designed to provide a pathway for young people in the Tottenham area away from gang and knife crime.

Paul Harbinson, Chief Executive at the Sir Stanley Matthews Foundation said: “We are absolutely delighted to be working in partnership with Port Vale to develop and deliver a range of exciting projects which we know will make a big difference to many people within the Stoke area. 

“Although the Foundation has many projects across the U.K. and further afield, Sir Stan had a real love of the Potteries and we know he would be thrilled to see a partnership between the Foundation and the club he supported as a boy and, of course, went on to manage at the end of his playing career. 

“Seeing young people being given a proper chance in life was really important to Sir Stan, which is why we are especially happy to be working alongside Carol Shanahan and her team, someone who we know has a real heart for the local community. 

“Everyone has had a tough time lately but we are very much looking forward to brighter days ahead.”

Head of Community at the Port Vale Foundation, Tom Sherratt said: “Port Vale Foundation are delighted to announce this partnership which will expand our support in the community for young people.

“With our support the young people will be able to raise their aspirations and gain qualifications in something they have a passion for, which will make them more employable and ready for work.

“We already have an extensive mentoring programme so this adds a valuable further layer enabling young people to achieve specific qualifications.

“The Sir Stanley Matthews Foundation are a great partner with a proven track record of success and we can’t wait to be working closely with them.”