Young people belonging to Wolves Foundation’s Action Pack have been wrestling with a new kind of challenge thanks to a visit to the Guru Nanak Satsang Gurdwara in Park Village.
The Action Pack representatives got in the ring with the fantastic team at Wolverhampton Wrestling Club, who have a proud tradition of producing competitors from grass roots level right up to elite, including at the Commonwealth Games and Olympics.
It was the latest activity for the group set up from participants attending Foundation projects such as Premier League Kicks, as explained by inclusion and cohesion officer Louis Guttridge.
“Action Pack is our youth voice group made up of a group of eight to 18-year-olds who attend our community sessions such as PL Kicks,” said Louis.
“Anyone can come forward to join the group, and any changes or proposals we have for Kicks, we will run past them first.
“We also deliver workshops for them, and try and help develop their skills, upskilling them, so that ultimately there might be the opportunity to become volunteers with the Foundation.
“The Action Pack also come up with ideas of things they want to do, which includes social action projects.”
The first of those projects took place last summer when participants were joined by music artist and producer – and Wolves Foundation ambassador – S-X, to create some inspiring artwork to brighten up the entrance to the Good Shepherd charity opposite Molineux.
And then, just before Christmas, a football tournament was held at All Saints where players brought along presents which were distributed to local youngsters as part of the Foundation’s Shoebox Appeal.
Foundation staff also organise fun activities for the Action Pack, with a FIFA tournament in the pipeline, and last week’s visit to the Gurdwara covered several different bases.
It also provided another worthwhile link between different Foundation projects, as the Gurdwara are involved with the Active Through Football initiative delivering football sessions for over-35s on Sunday afternoons.
“Wolverhampton Wrestling Club are involved in a lot of different sports and have wrestlers all over the country taking part in tournaments and winning championships,” adds Louis.
“Not only has it offered Action Pack the chance to take part in a different sport but also enriching their knowledge of different cultures.
“Wrestling is really important and steeped in tradition in the Sikhism religion, and so visiting the Gurdwara also gave participants a really positive cross-cultural experience.
“The young people who join Action Park enjoy having that extra responsibility and a social conscience, and these sorts of opportunities really help them continue to learn.”
The Action Pack is regularly refreshed with opportunities for new participants to join, with information handed out across different sessions run by the Foundation’s inclusion and cohesion team.
