One of those students is Bleu, from St John Walham Green Primary, who Chelsea Foundation has been working with as part of our Premier League Primary Stars programme.

Working individually with Chelsea Foundation staff, Bleu has been given an educational outlet to express his passion for football but also improve his learning and engagement in school.

Teachers at St John Walham Green have commented on the incredible shift in Bleu’s behaviour and his overall happiness at school since he started working with Chelsea Foundation. Crucially, his reading skills have developed due to an overall improvement in his confidence.

As a reward for his fantastic progress at school, Bleu was invited to be a mascot at the Women’s UEFA Champions League fixture between Chelsea and Barcelona. Bleu and his family were also invited to watch the team train at Cobham, where he met the team including spending some time with Lucy Bronze, who has recently opened up on her own autism diagnosis.

Ciara Langtry, schools education coordinator at Chelsea Foundation, has worked on a one-on-one basis with Bleu and says providing these opportunities for SEND students is invaluable:

‘When we take a step back to look at the long-term impact Chelsea Foundation has when working with SEND students it's truly remarkable. Providing a safe space where young people have a sense of belonging and can express their passion is so important for their development and wellbeing.

‘Having seen how much joy football has brought to Bleu, we have worked with his mum to introduce him into a competitive local grassroots club, so hopefully he continues to love football and play the game.’

As part of its education delivery, Chelsea Foundation has launched a new Players’ Project Pilot, supported by the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA). Through the Players’ Project, Chelsea Foundation in collaboration with Chelsea Women’s captain and Foundation trustee, Millie Bright, will support SEN children through an education initiative.

The Players’ Project Pilot aims to build stronger connections between players, communities and football clubs by putting players at the heart of local projects that help tackle inequalities, raise aspirations, develop thriving communities and inspire positive change.