Plymouth Argyle received Championship award thanks to their one-of-a-kind ACTing with children project, designed to provide succour for young people under 18 who have a parent in prison.

Through catered one-to-one and group support, the programme works to interrupt the cycle of young people pursuing a life of crime by working to support the vulnerable while eradicating the stigma so often associated with parental imprisonment.

Using the badge of Plymouth Argyle, the programme has seen 3,648 hours of support provided – with 81% attributable to one-to-one sessions – while surveys have revealed that participants have reported a 94% increase in school participation and a 78% increase in self-esteem and self-efficacy.

Meanwhile, League One’s Charlton Athletic secured the award at the hand of their Youth Engagement Vehicles programme, which tackles the increasingly prominent concern of serious youth violence, working side-by-side with police community safety teams to identify areas within the Greenwich and Bexley boroughs which show elevated levels of anti-social behaviour.

Plymouth Argyle, Charlton Athletic and Port Vale secure Community Project of the Season award

Plymouth Argyle, Charlton Athletic and Port Vale secure Community Project of the Season award