CHANGING LIVES THROUGH FOOTBALL: A COMING TOGETHER TO EFFECT POSITIVE SOCIAL CHANGE

The Street Soccer Foundation is a charity I formed in 2015. This past weekend we held our very first official SLEEPOUT event at Priestfield Stadium, home of EFL side Gillingham FC.

We were incredibly fortunate to have been supported on the night by a host of businesses including the Mayor and Mayoress of Medway. In my welcome address I began my talk with a question for everyone: “Why are we all here this evening?”

Was it for the challenge of sleeping outside? For the experience? Was is to show support for The Street Soccer Foundation? Perhaps it was to help raise awareness among friends, family and work colleagues of rough sleeping in the County? It might’ve been for all these reasons.

What was clear to me, is that each one of those who attended Priestfield on Saturday evening genuinely cares. Cares about wanting to tackle youth homelessness and unemployment – and the work of our Foundation.

In 2018, everybody should have a place to live.

But – according to recent research from Cambridge University: an estimated 1.3 million young people aged 16 to 24 have slept rough during the past year. 1.3 MILLION YOUNG PEOPLE.

Young people with experiences of homelessness are one of the most vulnerable groups in society. In 49% of cases – the primary cause of youth homelessness is a family breakdown. And 44% of cases also show these young people not being in Work, Education or Training (NEETS).

So last Saturday I did something I have never done before. I slept outside all night and into the early hours of Sunday morning. I experienced albeit in part, what it might be like to sleep rough. I chose not to have a sleeping bag either. Rather stupid actually. But I merely laid down fully clothed, onto the concrete floor with just a cushion. It was cold and uncomfortable.

I couldn’t quite believe that the most dangerous form of homelessness – rough sleeping – is up by a staggering 169% since 2010.

As a charity, The Street Soccer Foundation works to support young homeless people – including those at risk who might be long term unemployed – through the delivery of our Street Soccer Academy: a 10-week personal development course providing a mixture of professional football coaching, mindset training and employability-driven Skills to Succeed Workshops.

Michael (21), of Gillingham, secured a full-time role at Barnet FC, following his recent graduation from the Street Soccer Academy. Michael had been homeless for six months before he joined the course. “The programme has definitely changed my life; I’m more positive than I’ve ever been. I would recommend the Street Soccer course to everyone. It really helped me and I loved it.”

Jodie (20) of Tonbridge, was homeless and had been sleeping rough on and off for 2 years after falling out with her Mum and Dad. To her own admission, she is now able to reflect on what she describes as a life-changing experience after graduating from the Street Soccer Academy course. “Projects like Street Soccer are so important. They really help people in situations like I found myself. It really helps to give people a chance. They do an amazing job and I can’t thank them enough.”

To date, we have a 100% success record: Every young person coming onto one of our programmes has progressed into either Work, Education or Further Training. And our Social Value Report for this season just gone (2017/18) – conducted externally by Kingfisher – found we are currently generating £8 for every £1 invested.

Our goal is simple. We want to do more to help more young people.

If you’re reading this and represent a business or own your own company, wherever you’re located, please get in touch with me to discuss becoming an Official Business Supporter for the coming 2018/19 season. Or kindly at least, please share this post to help us raise the awareness of the work The Street Soccer Foundation is doing.

We want to help end homelessness in this country. And we want to give our young people a future. We’d love to do it along with you. And in return, we plan on hosting a number of additional events over the coming year for businesses to get involved in, gain an experience, and know that by taking part, together, we are Changing Lives through Football. Thank you. Now… Come on England!