Pupils from Fulham Boys School, Fulham Cross Academy, Chelsea Academy, Thomas Bennett Community College and Merstham Park took part in a day of events and activities to celebrate the ground-breaking partnership.

The Chelsea Champions programme aims to improve the emotional wellbeing and resilience of young people by embedding a full-time staff member into each school, developing an innovative, tailored timetable of activities that builds capacity and coping mechanisms that best meet the needs of the young people and school.

Teachers, students and the Chelsea Champion officer were invited to an event at Stamford Bridge to recognise the success of the programme, acknowledging the renewal of the programme for another year. While taking in the surroundings at the iconic stadium, the pupils engaged in a mental health workshop run by local partners Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing and Hounslow Mind which highlighted the benefit of physical activity towards your mental health, before heading to the Chelsea FC Museum to understand more about the history of the football club.

The afternoon was concluded with a presentation. Each school received a signed shirt for their ongoing commitment to the programme and individual pupils were recognised as the ‘Chelsea Champion of the Year’ for their personal development and progression while working with their Chelsea Champion Office. These pupils also received a signed t-shirt.

Jonny Drabble, senior Chelsea Champion officer, said: ’It was great to be able to celebrate the success of the programme and have the students and staff from each Chelsea Champion School together for the afternoon. We are delighted to be working with these schools and be able to recognise those students who have achieved so much on the programme. We look forward to continuing our partnership with these schools for many years to come’

David O’Donnell, Fulham Boys School pupil engagement and pastoral support officer, added: 'It was an amazing event and it was good to network with Chelsea champion schools. The students loved the experience of dining at Stamford Bridge'

One of the Year 10 Chelsea Champion students said: ‘I loved the workshop topics and learning about the effects of exercise on both your physical and mental health, very informative.’

A Chelsea Champion award winner from Fulham Boys School added: 'I enjoyed a day out and full experience at Stamford Bridge. It felt good to win the Chelsea Champion award and receive the signed shirt'.

To find out more about the Chelsea Champion programme contact [email protected]