Rotary funds vape awareness work in local schools

Rotary Club of Hebden Bridge has awarded a grant of £2,949.75 to Calderdale Community Coaching Trust, a registered charity, to help deliver a Vape Awareness Programme for children in primary schools from Luddenden Foot to Hebden Bridge.​

Calderdale Community Coaching Trust’s mission is to improve the physical, mental and spiritual well‑being of people in Calderdale and surrounding areas by educating them about the benefits of physical activity. The charity uses sport and coaching as engaging tools to reach children and young people, helping them build healthier lifestyles and better decision‑making skills.​

The funded project will deliver a structured Vape Awareness Programme for pupils in school years 5 and 6 (typically aged 10–11). Each cohort will receive five weekly sessions in school time, using active, sport‑based activities to explore the dangers and harms of vaping, peer pressure and how to make safer choices as they prepare to move up to secondary school.​

This programme follows a successful pilot in North Halifax, where feedback from schools and participants was very positive and highlighted the value of preventative education at primary level. With support from Rotary, the charity now intends to extend the work westwards across the Upper Calder Valley, targeting schools between Luddenden Foot and Hebden Bridge where concerns about youth vaping are increasing.​

The total project cost is £3,549.75, covering staff time, travel, and office, administration and evaluation costs. The Trust will also contribute in‑kind support by using existing sports and coaching equipment valued at £600, ensuring good value for money and maximising the reach of the programme.CC-Coaching-Trust-AI-Summary.docx​

An earlier bid to The National Lottery Community Fund was unsuccessful, making this local grant especially important in enabling the project to go ahead on the planned scale. The work is scheduled to be completed by 30 June 2026, with impact assessed through feedback from schools, pupils and coaches.​

We believe that this is extremely valuable work. The Calderdale Community Coaching Trust is helping to tackle youth vaping at an early stage, promoting healthier lifestyles and strengthening preventative education in local schools, in line with Rotary’s wider commitment to improving health and well‑being in the community.​

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