NEW: Tackling Youth Homelessness

Blackpool FC Community Trust (BFCCT) are proud to have partnered up with Street Soccer Foundation to deliver the Blackpool Street Soccer Academy. The 10-week nationally acclaimed personal development programme supports young people aged 18-30 who are at risk of homelessness and/or not in education, employment, training (NEET). The programme provides a combination of football coaching, mindset training and skills and employability workshops. The aim is to help participants improve their physical and mental health, increase their fitness, confidence and self-belief, and to improve their employability prospects.

CEO of Street Soccer Foundation, Keith Mabbut:

“I’m delighted to see the Street Soccer Foundation form its latest new partnership with the award-winning Blackpool FC Community Trust, the official charity of Blackpool FC. Our partnership will see the fantastic team at the Community Trust deliver our ‘Street Soccer Academy’ programme, and as the No.1 football-led project tackling youth homelessness in England, I’m certain that our positive social impact will now continue in Blackpool through the delivery of this targeted programme, specifically for the benefit of the local community surrounding the Club, with young participants expected to improve their mental and physical health and well-being and future prospects. Together, changing lives through football.”

The Blackpool Street Soccer Academy programme will take place on Fridays between 12.30pm and 4.30pm. Each session will begin with a 90-minute workshop which will involve group-based activities and discussions, tailored to the young people’s needs. A free lunch is also provided and each session ends with 90 minutes of football coaching and small sided games. Transport will also be provided for young people from Bloomfield Road to Stanley Park.

A full new kit is provided to participants who commit to the course as well as the opportunity to represent the club at the annual Street Soccer Cup, which is held at St Georges Park, the home of England Football.

Brett Whitehead, BFCCT Community Cohesion Manager:

I was fortunate enough to attend the Street Soccer Cup at St George’s Park in June and gain an insight into the programme and the impact it has. It was really inspiring to hear first hand from all of the clubs and participants about their journey’s and how the programme has changed young people’s lives. All of the games were played in great spirit and it was clear to see how much the young people valued the programme and opportunity to come together and celebrate their achievements. We’re really excited to get started and are committed to providing young people in Blackpool exciting new opportunities as well as raising their aspirations.”

The Blackpool Street Soccer Academy is holding an initial taster session on Friday 7th October at Stanley Park (all-weather pitches) between 3:00pm-4.30pm. The 10-week programme will officially start on Friday 14th October at Bloomfield Road stadium (details shown below). If you are working with young people aged 18-30 who may benefit from this programme, please complete an online referral by following this link: www.streetsoccerfoundation.org.uk/referral/