The Street Soccer Foundation is delighted to have teamed up with Champions League Finalists Liverpool FC and the clubs’ charity Foundation, to help tackle youth homelessness in the city and across the North West.
Launched in 2015, The Street Soccer Foundation provides development programmes for vulnerable and homeless 16-24 year olds across the UK, offering a fusion of professional football training, positive mindset coaching and employability-driven workshops.
In Liverpool, both Foundations will co-deliver the Street Soccer Academy course at Anfield.
Matt Parish, Director of Liverpool FC Foundation, said: “The Street Soccer Foundation brings a wealth of experience in tackling youth homelessness, and together with our work and networks in the local community, we will be able to make a real difference to the lives of young people facing such difficult challenges.”
Keith Mabbutt, CEO of The Street Soccer Foundation, added: “We’re thrilled to be a part of the Liverpool community and working alongside the club’s own Foundation, especially at this pivotal moment in the team’s history.
“We hope to raise awareness of the issue of youth homelessness in the city, and working with the LFC Foundation, we can provide a nurturing and educational environment for the most vulnerable in the local community.”
The Street Soccer Foundation, which already works with a number of Premier League partners, raises funds through its award-winning corporate initiative, Goal 17. Companies who adopt the Goal 17 ‘IMPACT’ initiative are guided through an employee mentoring programme, which sees members of staff buddied-up with a young person to mentor and support throughout a 10-week process.
Liverpool FC staff will be also supporting the programme, with employee volunteers coaching and mentoring local young people during the course.
Street Soccer Foundation will host an introductory event for Liverpool businesses on Thursday 30 May at Anfield to grow awareness of their work among the football and business community.
In addition to showcasing how football is being used to engage and inspire vulnerable young people; the event will demonstrate how companies can use CSR initiatives such as Goal 17 to positively impact local communities.
Mabbutt continued, “Usually any corporate CSR support which takes place in a business is on a national scale, leaving employees disenchanted about whether their contribution has made a difference.”
“Our event will demonstrate that by taking part in local issues, employees not only benefit from knowing they are playing their part in their hometown, but companies also hugely benefit from increased employee engagement, staff retention, skills development and team mentality. It will be a fantastic opportunity for attendees to meet other like-minded business leaders and get involved.”
The Street Soccer Foundation introductory event will take place on Thursday 30 May from 4pm to 6pm at Anfield. Business leaders are requested to register their interest via email to fran@streetsoccerfoundation.org.uk.