A young woman who has attended Newcastle United Foundation’s Visually Impaired Football Club for almost a decade continues to make “massive personal achievements” towards better mental and physical wellbeing.

Chloe’s family were told to expect the worst by doctors in infancy, after being born with septicaemia and spending a month in intensive care. Diagnosed with a form of cerebral palsy and a visual impairment, Chloe overcame all the odds against her and learned to walk, talk, and enjoy a happy childhood.

Now in her early twenties, the North Tyneside college student continues to make personal progress at free, weekly Disability Football sessions delivered by Newcastle United Foundation.

Providing professional coaching, one-to-one support and a friendly, engaging environment for children and adults to enjoy sport, the Foundation welcomed more than 720 people with disabilities to dedicated sessions in 2020/21.

Michelle, Chloe’s mother, said: “Chloe has gained so much – physically, mentally, and psychologically from these sessions and she has managed to develop skills with regards to her physical disability, learning disability and visual impairment.

Michelle, Chloe’s mother, said: “Chloe has gained so much – physically, mentally, and psychologically from these sessions and she has managed to develop skills with regards to her physical disability, learning disability and visual impairment.

“The sessions have improved her quality of life to help her feel involved, valued and part of a team. Her physical wellbeing and being able to take part in football where she maintains some physical health activity while learning skills and maintaining her weight is really enriching.

“With Newcastle United Foundation, I feel assured – as does Chloe – that the support she gets is incredible. Attending the Foundation’s sessions has helped develop her independence and confidence – no carer is involved since the well-trained and dedicated staff support participants very well.”

Chloe has made lasting connections with Foundation staff who have supported her each week since she first attended the charity’s Visually Impaired Football Club in 2012.

Michelle added: “Socially, Chloe has become more confident with her peers and able to demonstrate some aspects of leadership when new people come to join, and this is a massive achievement for her.

“Chloe is also left hemiplegic, and this maintains and supports her muscle strength on her weakened side, which is imperative to remain mobile. She has always enjoyed and looks forward to the football session with Newcastle United Foundation on a weekly basis. Due to the recent pandemic, the positives for Chloe have become even more clear.

“The value of these sessions are and have been excellent for her physical and mental wellbeing and we would like to give appreciation to the Foundation staff who give the young people the opportunities they would never get if this did not exist.”

The official charity arm of Newcastle United connects, motivates and inspires communities across the North East, inclusive of all ages, abilities, backgrounds, ethnicities, faiths, genders and sexualities.

This outreach work for more than 66,000 people annually is only made possible by generous funding from organisations with a like-minded community focus. Support from St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation and North P&I Club ensure young people like Chloe can continue to enjoy opportunities to play, learn and socialise safely, for free.

Chloe said: “[The sessions] help to keep me fit and make friends. The staff teach me some fun skills to play and kick the ball better. I enjoy attending the football and it helps me to keep my leg strong.

“It’s my favourite thing in the week. I feel able to speak up when I am there, and I am normally quite shy – this is helping me to be more confident.

“It’s helped me use my eyes better to locate the ball and how colours and sounds can help me. I feel part of a team and enjoy playing the games. I can’t wait for each session.”

St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation is the philanthropic arm of St. James’s Place Wealth Management – a leading UK wealth management company. The group’s charity arm has raised and distributed more than £100 million for thousands of charities since 1992, enriching the lives of children and young people who have special needs through illness, disability or mental health issues.

North in the Community is the corporate social responsibility programme of North P&I Club – leading global marine mutual liability insurer based in the North East region for more than 160 years.

Lesley McEwen, Support Team Supervisor at North, said “It’s great to be able to support the Foundation and the magnificent work that they do with women like Chloe, who have benefitted from the sessions provided during childhood and as adults.”

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