Another one of Lifetime’s ‘Barnsley Businesses Inspiring Students’ speakers, Darren Padgett, delivered a terrific talk to Horizon College’s Year Eight assembly on Tuesday morning.

Darren is the director of social enterprise Team Activ – an organisation he founded in 2011. They make sport for all, through physical competitions and teamwork strategies in businesses, schools and communities.

Team Activ works with every secondary school in Barnsley and more than half of all primary schools in the borough, to deliver extra-curricular sport.

Darren (pictured below) was crowned Social Entrepreneur of the Year at the Social Enterprise Yorkshire and Humber awards night last October, and jumped at the opportunity to be involved in Lifetime’s BBIS project, which is being trialled at Horizon College.

Horizon teacher Paul Powell enthused: “I would just like to say a huge thank you to Darren for his talk in our Y8 assembly.

“It was very inspirational and great timing as we are aiming at getting all Y8 students to take part in extra-curricular activities. After listening to Darren’s talk, the students will now know how important it is to engage in extra activities especially sport, and how it can really benefit and have a huge positive impact throughout your life.”

Darren said: “We work with all ages, from infant children to adults, to encourage people to get fit and stay fit so it’s really great that our campaigning has been recognised.

“As a social enterprise, we are a not-for-profit organisation which re-invests any profits back into making a difference in the community.

“Our programmes are designed to develop self-confidence, self-belief, personal leadership and team working, and to develop a focus on personal achievement and ambition.

“Team Activ programmes produce willing, committed and focussed learners keen to make the most of the lives they’re going to lead.”