Leading family-run infrastructure services company, FM Conway, has upped its commitment and support of Kent based charity, the Street Soccer Foundation, renewing its exclusive sponsorship agreement until June 2024.
Formed in 2015, the Street Soccer Foundation is a national award-winning sport-for-change charity located in Kent that operates across the county, as well as throughout England, using football as a catalyst to help educate, up-skill and inspire children and young people in communities nationwide, creating lasting impact in the lives of its programme participants and their families.
Since its inception, the charity has made huge strides in helping hundreds of vulnerable and disadvantaged young people across Kent in particular, with FM Conway sponsoring the Street Soccer Academy – the charity’s nationally acclaimed flagship programme and the No.1 football-led project tackling youth homelessness in England.
The personal development programme provides a free 10-week opportunity typically for 18–30-year-olds who are currently experiencing homelessness, including those who may be deemed at risk of becoming homeless, such as previous young offenders, long-term unemployed and NEETS (Not in Education, Employment or Training).
Selected young participants benefit from a structured curriculum over the 10 weeks providing a fusion of Football Coaching, Mindset Training, and ‘Skills to Succeed’ Employability Workshops, all to enable programme participants to improve their confidence, resilience and self-belief, identify employability areas of both capability and interest, and to develop key essential soft skills to be ready and able to move into Work, Education or Further Training after successfully completing the programme.
Keith Mabbutt, Founder and CEO of the Street Soccer Foundation, commented:
“The Street Soccer Foundation is committed to making a difference and improving outcomes in the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged young adults and children. Over the past few years, our support has been pivotal in building the resilience of young participants across our programmes, as well as reducing the burden on public services such as health and welfare. FM Conway’s increased commitment to our charity’s work is incredibly appreciated and valued and will allow us to take our impactful and proven programme into additional regions where FM Conway has a presence as a business.
“Alongside Kent, we will now be supporting vulnerable young people in the areas of both West London and South East London and I cannot thank the leadership of FM Conway enough for their continued faith and investment in our charity for the service provision we continue to deliver. Our new three-year agreement firmly positions FM Conway at the very heart of our charitable work in and across the South East.”
Independent evaluation of the impact of the Street Soccer Foundation on its participants and the wider communities has provided insight into the key areas of impact being achieved: education and employment, crime, and health. All essential to improving the community and social wellbeing, across the county.
The collective goal is to help motivate programme participants to improve their lifestyles and to enhance local communities by empowering individuals, creating new opportunities, and building better futures for all those involved.
Sharon Field, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at FM Conway, said:
“We are delighted to extend our fantastic partnership with the Street Soccer Foundation and solidify our commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged young people across our communities.
Sharon Field, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at FM Conway
“For every £1 invested into the Street Soccer Academy programme, the charity has most recently returned £12 of social value, which is delivered through increased confidence, interaction with positive role models, securing employment, and gaining work-related skills. It is terrific to see the investment working and making such a positive difference in young people’s lives.”
For further details of upcoming Street Soccer Academy programmes please contact the Street Soccer Foundation by email: academy@streetsoccerfoundation.org.uk.
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