Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson has praised the work of Premier League Inspires after seeing first-hand how the programme is transforming young lives in her constituency.
Premier League Inspires uses the power of football to empower young people to develop personal, social, employability and life-skills, through mentoring and a series of regular face-to-face group sessions, workshops and social-action projects.
During a recent visit to Sandhill View Academy, Phillipson met pupils benefiting from the Premier League Inspires programme delivered by Foundation of Light, the official club charity of Sunderland AFC.
"It's inspiring to see the difference the Premier League Inspires programme is making right here in Sunderland," said Bridget Phillipson, who is the MP for Houghton and Sunderland South.
"By using football as a force for good, Foundation of Light is helping young people improve their attendance, build confidence, and re-engage with education.
"These are the kinds of innovative, community-rooted approaches that change lives and open doors to brighter futures."
The reach of Premier League Inspires continues to grow, making a meaningful difference in communities. Now in its sixth year of delivery, the programme has engaged more than 40,000 young people aged 11-to-18, supporting them to reach their potential in more than 1,000 education establishments across England and Wales.
This year alone, more than 850 pupils have taken part in the Foundation of Light's Premier League Inspires sessions - the highest number to complete the programme across the region.
"Thanks to the work of the Foundation of Light and more than 50 professional football club charities, Premier League Inspires continues to make a lasting impact on the lives of young people across England and Wales," said Alex White, Chief Executive of the Premier League Charitable Fund.
"An increase in Premier League investment has enabled us to expand the number of club charities we are able to support to deliver the programme, helping to ensure that more young people feel connected, empowered, and inspired to thrive in school.
"Premier League Inspires can continue to help young people across the country to build confidence, develop essential life skills, and stay engaged in education and training."
From season 2025/26, the Premier League will increase the number of football club charities supported to deliver Premier League Inspires to 54, up from 45 in season 2024/25.
The expansion supports our partnership with government on the Youth Guarantee initiative that aims to help young people into education or employment.
"We know how important it is to support young people who are at risk of disengaging with education," said Lesley Spuhler OBE, Chief Executive of the Foundation of Light.
"Premier League Inspires is a powerful example of how football can break down barriers, build confidence and provide opportunities for brighter futures.
"At a time when too many young people risk becoming 'lost children' through poor attendance, this programme is helping to bring them back into school, re-engage with learning and realise their potential. We're proud to be working hand in hand with our schools to make a lasting difference."
Research conducted by Sheffield Hallam University into the impact of Premier League Inspires on pupils’ attendance and behaviour in the 2024-2025 academic year revealed that 92% of schools believe that Premier League Inspires helps to improve pupils’ behaviour, while 96% state that the programme increases pupils’ engagement in lessons.
"Our evaluation of the Premier League Inspires programme highlights its positive impact on participants and schools, particularly in raising aspirations, strengthening relationships, and expanding future opportunities," said Dr Steve Bullough, Senior Research Fellow, Sport Industry Research Group, Sheffield Hallam University.
The independent research also revealed that almost 80 per cent of schools felt that Premier League Inspires helped to reduce pupil absenteeism, with 86 per cent saying that the programme also reduced pupils’ risk of exclusion.