The JOLF Nurture Project, a programme designed to develop confidence, wellbeing and belonging through golf has reached the incredible milestone of engaging with 2300 children since its inception in January.
Funded by the Kate & Justin Rose Foundation, the project has combined free sessions delivered in 44 schools across the Mid-Sussex region and 10 JOLF in the Park sessions over the school summer holiday.
“To reach so many children has long been a goal of ours and I can’t thank the Kate & Justin Rose Foundation enough for making it possible,” commented Neil Plimmer, founder of JOLF. “We created JOLF to engage children and families in the game of golf, but it became clear that our programmes can do so much more than that. The JOLF Nurture Project is a small-group programme designed for children who would benefit from additional support with confidence, communication, emotional wellbeing, resilience and positive relationships, and the impact we’ve seen on these young people has been remarkable.”
The JOLF Nurture Project uses play to help children explore, make decisions, solve problems, support one another and discover what they are capable of in a safe, calm and encouraging environment. Each of the 44 schools that have taken part in the project receive five weeks of half day sessions funded wholly by the Kate & Justin Rose Foundation. This consistent approach has enabled the children to develop relationships with the team and make lasting progress.
Claire Batchelor, SEND Co-Ordinator at Lindfield Primary Academy in West Sussex said, “We absolutely love working with JOLF. We can see the impact of the sessions and how they’re taking the skills into the classroom. A great example is a year 4 boy who has found making mistakes very difficult, but this term he dealt with it like a pro and said to us that it was okay because you just try, try, try like at JOLF!”
She added: “Some of the children find it very difficult coming into school, but they always come in for their JOLF sessions. Having funding from the Foundation has enabled us to have regular sessions and for the children to develop those relationships. They’re all so excited when the JOLF man is coming!”
Further to the sessions in schools, the Foundation funded JOLF to take its Nurture Programme into public spaces this summer for 10 JOLF in the Park events. The team set up 12 ‘Crazy JOLF’ holes in public parks in Mid-Sussex and invited all-comers to take part for free. The sessions welcomed children and families of all ages, including children who had taken part in schools sessions and didn’t want to miss out in the summer!
“JOLF in the Park took golf to communities that would never have the chance to pick up a club,” continued Neil. “Children played with children they had never met before. Parents talked and made connections. Families who already knew one another spent time together in a different environment. Golf became a simple way of bringing people together. They were amazing events that would not have happened without the support of the Foundation.”
Following the success of the JOLF Nurture Project, the Kate & Justin Rose Foundation will be funding a return for the project in 2027, with an extension to include schools in Worthing.
Kate Rose, Chair of the Kate & Justin Rose Foundation said, “The JOLF Nurture Project realises our ambitions to use golf as a vehicle for change. It’s wonderful to see the impact that the sessions have had on children across the region and how golf can not only be a fantastic activity, but can help promote resilience, teamwork, confidence and communication. The work that Neil and his team have done this year is everything that we want to support, so we are delighted to continue funding the programme into 2027.”
The Foundation has just launched a video taken at one of this year’s JOLF in the Park events showcasing some of the incredible work and beneficiaries of the JOLF Nurture Project. To watch the video, please visit www.justinrose.com/kjr-foundation-uk.