Peterborough lions fc

What a Summer It Has Been – Peterborough Lions FC, M.AD & Our Community Partners

What a fantastic summer it has been!

This summer half term has been a powerful reminder of what can happen when organisations, community groups, partners and local people come together with one shared purpose: to give children, young people and families positive opportunities, somewhere to belong, and memories they can be proud of.

Through Peterborough Lions FC and our Make A Difference (M.AD) programme, we have been incredibly proud to work alongside Living Better and Central Pulse to provide a wide range of completely free activities for families across Peterborough.

From Stanley Park and Gladstone to Ferry Meadows and Hampton Woods, we have taken activities out into the community and created spaces where children and young people could be active, try something new, make friends and, most importantly, have fun.

This has only been possible because of an incredible network of partners who have supported what we are trying to achieve.

We have worked alongside Built Around Fitness, Top Yard School of Boxing, Peterborough Lions Rugby Club and Cricket East, bringing different sports, skills and experiences to young people who may not otherwise have had access to them.

We have also been incredibly grateful for the support and collaboration of Peterborough City Council, Accent Housing helping us reach communities and provide opportunities where they are needed most.

Alongside everything happening across our parks and outdoor spaces, we have continued delivering our HAF Camp at Roots & Rise, our community hub in Queensgate. Roots & Rise has become a place where young people and families can come together, feel safe, take part in activities, learn new skills and access positive support within their own community.

But beyond the activities, the sports and the programmes, there is something far more important.

It is the smiles.

It is watching a child who may have arrived nervous suddenly become involved in an activity.

It is seeing young people making new friends.

It is watching parents relax because their children are somewhere safe, positive and welcoming.

It is seeing families enjoying time together without the worry of the cost of keeping children entertained throughout the holidays.

And it is seeing communities come together.

The joy we have witnessed on the faces of families throughout this summer is genuinely difficult to put into words.

For us, this is what Make A Difference is all about.

It isn't simply about putting on activities. It is about creating opportunities, removing barriers, building confidence, improving wellbeing and showing young people that their community believes in them.

Peterborough Lions FC has always believed that football can be the starting point for something much bigger. Through M.AD and our partnerships, we are proving that community sport can open doors to so much more — health, wellbeing, education, creativity, confidence, relationships and belonging.

We want to say a massive thank you to every organisation, coach, volunteer, partner, member of staff, parent and young person who has played a part in making this summer so special.

To everyone who gave their time, energy, facilities, equipment, expertise or simply turned up and supported us — thank you.

And most importantly, thank you to every family who trusted us with their children and joined us throughout the summer.

This summer has shown us exactly why this work matters.

Peterborough has incredible communities. When we work together, we can create incredible opportunities.

This isn't the end.

It is another step in what we are building through Peterborough Lions FC, Make A Difference and Roots & Rise.

Sport. Community. Opportunity. Wellbeing. Belonging.

That is what we are about.

And if the smiles we have seen this summer are anything to go by, we really are making a difference.