At Scarborough Group, creating places where people can live, work and thrive extends beyond the developments we deliver. Through our charitable arm, the Scarborough Group Foundation, we support charities and not for profit organisations that improve lives, strengthen communities and create opportunities for people to fulfil their potential.
Our relationship with Nick Matthew spans many years. We were proud to support him throughout his professional career as he became a three-time World Squash Champion. When he established the Nick Matthew Foundation, we were delighted to continue that relationship by supporting a charity whose aims closely align with those of the Scarborough Group Foundation.
The Nick Matthew Foundation uses racket sports to improve physical health, emotional wellbeing, education and social inclusion, helping people of all ages and abilities experience the benefits of sport.
One of the first initiatives supported through the partnership was an inclusive squash programme for pupils from Talbot Specialist School in Sheffield, a specialist school supporting young people aged 11-16 with a range of special educational needs.
The programme grew directly out of initial conversations between the Nick Matthew Foundation and the Scarborough Group Foundation. Building on its existing relationship with Talbot Specialist School, the Nick Matthew Foundation identified a lack of opportunities for children with learning disabilities and long-term health conditions to participate in racket sports. Before a single session was designed, pupils, teachers, parents and carers were consulted to understand the barriers they faced and ensure the programme reflected the needs of those taking part.
Funding from the Scarborough Group Foundation enabled the programme to be delivered at Abbeydale Squash & Fitness Club throughout the 2025/26 academic year.
Sessions ran every Tuesday morning in groups of up to 12 pupils, supported by England Squash accredited coaches, teachers and carers, with a coaching ratio of one coach to every four participants. The structured format enabled pupils to develop at their own pace in a calm and supportive environment.
The experience extended beyond the coaching itself. After each session, pupils stayed to socialise with coaches, volunteers and club members over refreshments, helping them build confidence in a mainstream sporting environment while developing friendships beyond school. Throughout the programme, regular visits from Nick Matthew and Foundation ambassadors gave participants the opportunity to meet professional players and experience the sport at the highest level.
Over the course of the programme, the Nick Matthew Foundation delivered:
- 1 weekly coaching session (plus 2 school visits for taster session and celebration event) over a 16 week period from February 2026
- 20 pupils supported
- 75% average attendance
- 75% programme completion rate
- 12 pupils completing or working towards the physical activity section of their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award
Teacher feedback was consistently positive, with attendance and participation higher than in previous years. Pupils grew in confidence, developed their squash skills and became increasingly enthusiastic about attending each week. The structured format proved particularly effective for young people with autism, learning disabilities and long-term health conditions, helping them remain active, focused and engaged throughout every session.
The impact extended beyond the squash court. Teachers reported that pupils who had initially struggled to hold a racket were playing games independently by the end of the programme, while parents said many were asking to return and play squash at weekends with carers and personal assistants. Participation also contributed towards pupils achieving their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award while developing communication skills, teamwork and greater independence.
