The Hargreaves Foundation supports Aura UP

The Trustees of The Hargreaves Foundation are delighted to announce that funding has been awarded to Aura UP (AU), a West Midlands community-focused project designed to empower young people through physical activities and education.

AU aims to address local issues such as community safety, youth crime, mental health, and physical well-being, by offering a variety of activities to attract participants towards positive lifestyles. Objectives for participants include playing a visible and creative role in their environment, gaining new skills to enhance employment prospects, and becoming involved in local initiatives relevant to themselves and their families.

AU run various martial arts and fitness projects for children and adults from disadvantaged communities, and with high demand for their female-only projects, they have prioritised a section of their facility for female only sessions. AU seeks funding to re-start their Martial Arts programme for individuals under 18, as organised by their Aura Youth Forum which is managed by 15 young people from the community. This 26-week initiative is led by accredited coaches and participants benefit from holistic wellbeing, social engagement, and education on healthy lifestyle by using workshops and events featuring positive community figures & roll models.

With a well-documented positive correlation between sports participation and improved mental and physical health, alongside AU’s record in engaging over 600 young people in diverse sports within their first year, the programme shows promise in its ability to benefit young people aged 7-18, many of which are already on a waiting list.