Academy columnLFC U18s make a difference with the Big Help Project

We recently took the U18s to make a very special visit to the Big Help Project in Kirkby.

This was part of the Scholar Education programme, which gives the boys experiences which will fundamentally help support their personal development and learning around current social issues in their local community.

We always say it's so important to take the players out of their comfort zone and put something back to our local community.

Due to our boys participating in the UEFA Youth League, we received a grant from UEFA to give to a social action charity within our footballing community. We decided to donate this money to the Big Help Project.

They gave a little talk to the boys so they had an awareness about the charity and the work that they do in the local community in Kirkby.

They specialise in foodbanks and community hubs and have different sorts of initiatives - not only food-related but all levels of provision for the needs of the people in their community.

All of our U18s players spent time supporting the volunteers at their warehouse, helping to pack, weigh and sort food donations.

The feedback from staff was that the boys were outstanding and that is so nice for us to hear.

It's so important for the boys to come out of their comfort bubble and see for themselves just how important this work by the charity is. It's so important, especially around Christmas time, that we are aware of local charities and the great work they do.

We will going back later this week with the boys, which will be part of our Better Person, Better Player education programme.

• Learn more about the Big Help Project here

Caitlin Hawkins was speaking to Liverpoolfc.com's Steve Hunter.