BEST FOOTBALL COMMUNITY SCHEME
o Albion in the Community
Albion in the Community is one of the leading football charities in the UK, with a reputation for delivering pioneering, innovative and impactful programmes across the south coast.
Working in some of the most economically and health deprived coastal communities in the UK, the charity makes a genuine and lasting difference to the lives of tens of thousands of local people.
A recent independent social and economic study found Albion in the Community creates an annual social impact valued in excess of £28million, all from an income of just £3.2million. Put simply, for every £1 of income, the charity creates £8.84 of positive impact for local people.
It is a record which everyone connected with Brighton & Hove Albion is incredibly proud – including the club’s supporters. In the most-recent Premier League Fan Matchday Survey, the charity’s work again led the way in how fans of Premier League clubs viewed their community schemes.
The survey found 95% of Albion supporters felt the club made a significant contribution to the local community (compared to a Premier League average of 77%), with 94% feeling that the work was an important part of the culture and philosophy of Brighton & Hove Albion.
o Chelsea Football Club
In 2020, London, which is a vibrant, energetic, and innovative city turned into one of uncertainty. The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic meant that many couldn’t go about their normal lives. As well as this, we saw many local businesses suffer because of lockdown, with less footfall through their doors and less disposable available to customers. The lives of some of our most loyal supporters and wider London community were turned upside down. With games being played behind doors and our fans missing from their seats, we had to identify a way to boost moral and ignite that London spirit that we so badly missed. As a club, we also wanted to recognise those who had helped others, who had gone the extra mile to assist in their communities, and to maintain the entrepreneurial London spirit. Our brand films spotlighted real heroes that reflected our own brand DNA to showcase the creativity, resilience and drive that Londoners have, and highlight the strength of our city. We wanted to create a campaign that gave back to the community and supported local businesses that were continuing to push the city forward.
o Everton in the Community
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Everton in the Community is the official charity of Everton FC, providing services to those living in the Liverpool City Region (LCR), tackling issues such as poor mental health; unemployment; crime and health; and housing and education.
Launched in 1988, the charity runs more than 40 programmes each year, held in 130 venues across the city region and offering support to all ages, cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.
o Leicester City in the Community
Leicester City in the Community (LCitC) are a registered independent charity, governed by a board of trustees. One of two official charities of Leicester City Football Club (LCFC) our aim is to engage, inspire and empower communities across Leicester and Leicestershire, through togetherness, respect, and pride – these values underpin the work we do and are driven by our workforce.
During the 2020/21 season our workforce led by example by fearlessly advocating for positive mental wellbeing and LGBTQ+ awareness, inspired our participants to face their fears and overcome personal barriers, and quickly responded in high pressure situations.
Twenty two percent our current workforce have developed through various stages of our Grow Your Own pathway of participant, to volunteer, to sessional staff, to part-time or full-time employee – building a diverse workforce that is reflective of our communities is a central part of our values and culture and is essential to our ongoing commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
o Play
Four clubs. One goal.
Cross brand co-operation to empower the people of Merseyside.
On the eve of the Merseyside Derby in November 2021, the four football clubs on Merseyside, Everton FC, Liverpool FC, Marine AFC and Tranmere Rovers FC, put aside old rivalries to come together at Goodison Park with charity Crimestoppers and launch a new initiative to help reduce crime in local communities.
This new partnership has one goal: to make Merseyside safer for all communities.
The four clubs are at the heart of the community, and through the work of Everton in the Community, the LFC Foundation, Marine in the Community and Tranmere Rovers Community Foundation, countless lives are changed, young people are supported and thousands of people across Merseyside benefit each year.
By joining together with Crimestoppers, this campaign will use the power and reach of Football to change communities and help stop exploitation, abuse and violence. This powerful unifying message and creative campaign, using new and traditional media, community events and programmes, is reaching out to those supporters and communities most affected by crime and the harm caused by crime.
o Port Vale Foundation
Port Vale Foundation uses the power of the Port Vale Football Club to improve lives and communities in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire In partnership with the club, volunteers and partners we have provided essential support for families, young people and adults across the area Our programmes are driven by our core values of passion, collaboration, integrity, inclusivity, excellence and pride Our youngest participant was 2 years of age taking part in our Saturday morning Baby Boomers, an introduction to sport, as well as our Tuesday morning Boogie Boomers, which is a dance based physical literacy programme We retained our connection with the older community through our community engagement team Valiant Vera, 93, attends our Golden Valiants programme every week taking part in bingo, quizzes and grabbing a cup of tea and a much needed natter with friends The pandemic was still at large during 2021 and continued to impact negatively on the most vulnerable living in communities with multiple deprivation Port Vale’s community has many such challenges, meaning our communities have needed the support we offer to continue We continued to offer services as we did during the pandemic but were thrilled to open up face to face delivery to allow
o Saints Foundation
Saints Foundation is the charity of Southampton Football Club – we are the club’s way of giving back to our city. We deliver community projects which support local people in fulfilling their potential, helping them to lead happier, healthier lives.
We use insights and data to identify the greatest needs in our city, and focus our delivery to support and empower those who need it most. Our work is coordinated with our club and more than 50 city parents to make sure we make maximum impact, when and where it’s required.
In the 2021/22 season, Saints Foundation is marking 20 years of transforming lives in our local community. Whilst we celebrate this significant milestone, we know that people’s need for our support has never been greater. We are reviewing our strategy, analysing our city’s needs, and continuing to evolve our approach to make sure we encourage real change in Southampton for the next 20 years and beyond.
o Swansea City Football Club
The Boot Room is the idea of Swans fan Carl Bradley, who wanted to help provide football boots for children whose families were unable to afford to kit out their young footballers.
This affects alot of parents when their children are growing out of their shoes so frequently and the price of boots is increasing so regularly. Looking to ensure the community’s young players were not prevented from participating in the game they love due to a lack of equipment, Swansea City and a number of local businesses backed the scheme by acting as drop off points for donated boots.
The initiative to help children and young adults in Swansea and the surrounding community has now been extended to include The Kit Room until 2024.
The Bootroom now has another 7 locations throughout the UK including London, Plymouth and Liverpool and this is all the work of a huge Swans Supporter who just wanted to make football more accessible and make sure there weren’t any barriers for children to have the tools they need to play the game.
o Wrexham AFC
Wrexham AFC launched its Powerchair Football sessions in September 2021, becoming the first Club in Wales to offer it.
Organised jointly by volunteer Disability Liaison Officer Kerry Evans and staff from the Racecourse Community Foundation, the sessions are open to anyone with a disability, from the age of six and older.
With benefitting the local community a key part of the Club’s Mission Statement under co-chairmen Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, the sessions have proved hugely popular. Having funded the initial purchase of Powerchairs for the session, the co-chairman have since supported the popularity by buying more – allowing the Club to run two separate, weekly sessions, for children aged 6-16 and then for adults.
Community partners are now being invited to sponsor the team, as they look to launch their first competitive matches in future too. Furthermore, the Powerchair football team has featured on BBC Sport’s Football Focus, as part of the in-progress Welcome to Wrexham documentary and as part of the celebrations of Rob and Ryan’s first year in charge of the Club.
