OUR COMMUNITIES, OUR PEOPLE AND THEIR STORIES - STRONGER, HEALTHIER, MORE ACTIVE COMMUNITIES - EFL Trust
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OUR COMMUNITIES,
OUR PEOPLE AND
THEIR STORIES
STRONGER,
HEALTHIER,
MORE ACTIVE
COMMUNITIES
The EFL Trust is the charitable arm of the English I had begun to think I
Football League. We represent a national network was a lost cause and
that nothing I did would
of charities associated with EFL professional help me get better.
football clubs. Together we reach over 850,000 Luckily, I was wrong! I
people each year – this book tells the stories of pushed through exam
season and I did it! I
just some of those people.
went on programme
(NCS) and it was the
best thing I ever did.
The project saved
my life – I would not
have got through the
summer without it.
I’ve lost 6 stone in 2 years with
Stevenage FC Foundation and
it’s physically and mentally
changed my life.
I lost 22 years of my life
to drug and alcohol abuse.
I’ve been there and know
Corbin would never
what the people on this
course are feeling. I want
wear shorts, he was
to show them that there afraid for people
is a way out. to see his splints
and that he had
a disability. Since
It’s given me a safe he started playing
place to go, I can trust football we can’t get
the people around him out of shorts.
me and talk to them
about how I’m feeling Extra Time Hubs has
as well as getting an given me reason to
education. get out of the house,
otherwise I would
just sit in front of the
TV all day.
HEALTH AND
WELLBEING BERNIE’S
We use the power of football to
improve the health and wellbeing
of our local communities.
STORY
We aim to support people to adopt healthy
lifestyles, to access the support they need,
Extra Time Hubs helped
enhance the quality of life for people living fill a hole in Bernie’s life
with long term conditions, and help people after losing her husband.
to recover.
Funded by the National Lottery and Sport
England, EFL Trust Extra Time Hubs are
a national movement aimed at making a
positive difference to the lives of retired
and semi-retired people across the country.
For lifelong Latics fan Bernie the
opportunity to engage in a range of
activities at the stadium she has been
attending for 40 years was one she
couldn’t turn down.
The Hub has enabled her to be around
people in a similar position – somewhere
that feels like home. She says the Hub
allows her to try new things and do
something different to what she would
normally do.
I felt like this was
home in a way,
because I’ve been
coming to this
stadium for so many
years and had such
fabulous times here.
Just because you’re
getting older doesn’t
mean you can’t learn
something new or do
something different.
MIREIA’S ZAYAN’S
STORY STORY
How football helped Mireia to recover Zayan lost interest in physical activity
after years of substance misuse. due to his visual impairment but Cardiff
Mireia struggled with substance misuse for
City gave him back his passion for sport.
many years after a detrimental marriage
Zayan is a passionate football fan but began
which led her to regularly use heroin and
to lose interest in sport and physical activity
crack cocaine.
due to his visual impairment. That changed
She realised her life was in a bad place and when he joined Cardiff City FC Community
sought out help. She was referred to Derby Foundation’s Bluebirds Ability sessions.
County Community Trust and their Active
Through specialist coaching the Foundation is
Choices programme.
able to ensure Zayan has a positive experience
Six months later, Mireia’s confidence has in sport, leading to a healthier and happier
improved tremendously and she was lifestyle.
selected to represent England in the 2019
As a reward for his progress during his
Homeless World Cup.
11-month attendance, Zayan was selected
as a mascot for Cardiff City vs. Liverpool
in April 2019, leading the players onto the
hallowed turf at Cardiff City Stadium in The Bluebirds Ability
I used to wake up to
front of over 32,000 Bluebirds supporters. sessions use sport as
a nightmare, needing a tool for children and
money for drugs. Now young people with a
I wake up and know disability to improve
something good their confidence,
Being selected for the physical and mental
is going to happen
Homeless World Cup thanks Derby County wellbeing and improve
made me feel so proud. Community Trust. their social interaction.
I have never felt as My love for football
proud of anything in brought me to the
my life. sessions and it’s why I
keep coming back.
MICK’S CORBIN’S
STORY STORY
Extra Time Hubs has helped How being able to play sport has
Mick feel like a kid again. given a young boy self confidence.
Mick Brown, who has been a Crawley Town
supporter for over 55 years, credits EFL Corbin was born with Cerebal Palsy. His
Trust’s Extra Time Hubs for making him opportunities to get involved with sport
feel like a kid again. He says getting to go were limited until he started Shrewsbury
behind the scenes at the stadium has given Town’s Every Player Counts Programme,
him a new lease of life. which is funded by Wembley National
Stadium Trust.
Funded by the National Lottery and Sport
England, EFL Trust Extra Time Hubs are His dad Darren says the sessions with
a national movement aimed at making a Shrewsbury Town were a turning point for
positive difference to the lives of retired Corbin. “Corbin would never wear shorts, he
and semi-retired people across the country. was afraid for people to see his splints and
that he had a disability. However, since he
Before joining the Hub, Mick was mildly started playing football we can’t get him out
isolated and suffered from metal health of shorts. Everything is now football. It has
issues. He believes the Hub has really given him self-confidence and improved his
helped him boost his mood and find
It feels like you’re whole outlook on life.”
structure in his life each week, as well as
Corbin would never
having a circle of friends he can openly a kid in a toy
talk to about issues. wear shorts, he was
shop, have the afraid for people to see
opportunity to go his splints and that he
behind the scenes had a disability. Since
at the Stadium he started playing
and see where the football we can’t get
players go. It has given him him out of his shorts.
Extra Time Hubs has given
me reason to get out of
self-confidence and
the house. Otherwise I improved his whole
would just sit in front of outlook onlife.
the TV all day.
CHLOE’S MICK’S
STORY STORY
How Exeter City Community Trust Football provides the common
has turned Chloe’s life around. ground for those attending
When Chloe left college she became homeless
regardless of their dementia.
and unemployed. She says, “My mental health Mansfield Town Football in the
went downhill really quickly and I was left Community’s ‘Active Minds: Chat’
sofa surfing with no routine after college. “ sessions aim to promote inclusion and
Chloe was introduced to Exeter City tackle isolation through the power of
Community Trust. She started volunteering football and the emotional attachment
which helped rekindle her love for football to Mansfield Town. The sessions are
and coaching and gave her a positive designed predominantly for people
outlook for the future. living with dementia.
“Football and coaching enables me to Mick Walker, who is a boyhood Mansfield
channel my emotions in a positive way. Town supporter, has been coming to
At the Trust I’m around people now who ‘Active Mind: Chat’ sessions since they first
don’t give up on me. I started to actually launched. He believes the sessions are
believe in myself and build a routine back.” vital at his age for keeping him active and
getting him out of the house.
Football and You can come to the
coaching enables session and have
me to channel the same passionate
interest in football,
my emotions in a and talk about it
I really enjoy the
The support from positive way. for hours. You’re no
company, it’s so nice
Exeter City has been to have somebody longer just sat in the
key to helping me house and feeling
different to talk to and
shut down.
overcome mental I’ve made some really
health problems. good friends.
TREVOR’S PETER’S
STORY STORY
From not wanting to leave Peter’s health has significantly
the house to Sky Diving. improved through FIT FANS after
Two years ago, Trevor Prowse was
his heart attack.
overweight and suffered from severe In 2013, Peter was diagnosed with unstable
anxiety. He struggled with everyday angina after a severe angina attack whilst
activities like playing with his grandchild watching a Wycombe Wanderers match.
or talking to a stranger on the phone. It
wasn’t until he was referred to Stevenage FC Despite making token changes, the
Foundation by his GP that his life changed. problem was never fixed and he suffered a
heart attack three and a half years later on
Stevenage FC Foundation’s Introduction a long walk.
to Exercises classes are designed
for people with long-term medical He then made the decision to join Fit Fans
conditions (both physical and mental). and has since lost over two stone and has
The sessions also incorporate exercise run two 10K races - something he says he
activities like Soccercise, Pilates and would never have considered before the
Boxercise and have a strong element of heart attack.
social support with the group regularly
opening up and sharing their experiences I’ve lost 6 stone in 2
and struggles with their health. years with Stevenage
In the two years that Trevor has been
involved, he has lost a remarkable
FC Foundation and it’s Since being a part
physically and mentally
6 stone and his blood pressure has of FIT CHAIRBOYS,
changed my life. I’m
I have now run the
dropped, to the point where he no longer
has to take medication. Moreover his now doing things I
confidence is now so strong that he takes
on extreme challenges like sky diving.
never dreamed of - last As a lifelong Chairboys 6.8 mile walk that
weekend I even went fan, being in a friendly and lead to my heart
sky diving! familiar environment that attack, twice.
I treat as my second home
When I first met Trevor
seemed appealing.
he told me this was the
first time he had left his
house in a week due to his
anxiety being that severe.
TONY’S CHARLTON
STORY UPBEATS
Extra Time Hubs helped Tony Over 170 young people with Downs
find new lease of life after going Syndrome are registered with the Upbeats.
through a divorce. The Charlton Upbeats is a project for young people
and adults with Down’s syndrome. The Upbeats
Tony, who is retired, found himself very
train weekly, have competed in a number of
lonely after going through a divorce later
tournaments in the UK and abroad and are nine-
in life. He credits Derby County Community
times DS Active National Champions.
Trust and EFL Trust’s Extra Time Hubs for
helping turn his life around. The project is focused not just on the football, but
is also about raising aspirations and improving
After a period of what he describes as
relationships and social skills.
‘lonely depression’, Tony joined the Rams’
Hub as a volunteer. The Hub helped him One member William Cottrell, a lifelong
make many new friends. He now finds life Charlton supporter, has been involved since
more fulfilling and has something to look the Upbeats first started in 2008. William’s
forward to every week. sporting career has gone from strength to
strength…and not just on the football field,
“My life is now full of activity and I now
thanks to the confidence he has developed.
have more friends than ever before.”
In 2009, William represented Great Britain
in the Special Olympics Winter Games in 100% of parents
The camaraderie Idaho, where he won a bronze medal in the
slalom. A decade later he is still competing
would recommend
with the friends I in sport at the highest level, taking part in the Charlton
have met through the golf competition in the 2019 Special
Olympics in Abu Dhabi. Upbeats to any
the Hubs has been family with children
vitally important in with Down’s
The Hubs bring giving me back my syndrome.
confidence. I do not know what I
people together would do without the
and help people to Charlton Upbeats. They are
improve their health excellent and my son loves
and well being. coming to football! Parents
and coaches are so friendly.
It’s like an extended family.
EMILY’S DAVE’S
STORY STORY
How Newport County provided a
How FIT FANS made sure it
lifeline for Emily.
wasn’t too late for Dave.
A traumatic experience at the age of 12 saw
Emily’s life spiral out of control and led her to Dave, who was obese with a BMI of 33.9,
going off the rails. was offered a lifeline through Burton
Albion’s FIT FANS after the programme’s
Joining Newport County Under 14’s, Football initial health check discovered he had
helped shift her mind from the experience dangerously high blood pressure.
and her playing career went from strength
to strength. Her dreams of representing her After this forbidding finding, he was
country where about to come true. However, immediately prescribed blood pressure
a career ending injury took it all away from her medication and was advised to make
and the negative demons came back. instant lifestyle changes by his GP. With
the help of FIT FANS and 12 weeks of
“At the age of 19 I was 9 stone and fit learning about portion control, calories
as a fiddle, but when I left the hospital and how to exercise safely, he lost 7kg in
three years later, I was so unfit and had weight and significantly lowered his
put on over 6 stone from comfort eating,
medication and lack of exercise.”
I can’t put into words blood pressure.
how County in the Since then, he has not looked back and
A call Emily’s Mum received shortly
after from a friend about County in the Community’s mental is now exercising regularly with a more
positive attitude towards physical
I now feel fitter, have
Community’s mental health football health football activity and diet. more stamina and my
session ‘We Wear The Same Shirt’
(WWTSS) may have been the most sessions have helped blood pressure is under
important call of Emily’s life. me. Without them I control. I have gained
The programme, designed for adults with a don’t know where be. knowledge, motivation
mental health condition, provided a lifeline
for Emily in not only improving her wellbeing and friendships whilst
but gaining employment as a Football Coach having a lot of fun.
and giving her a new purpose in life.
If I had not gone
to FIT FANS my high
blood pressure may
After the incident, I went off the rails not have been found
for a few years and I didn’t go to school
until it was too late
much. I got nine convictions and I was
kicked out of everywhere I went. .... who knows?
EDUCATION AND
EMPLOYABILITY ANDREW’S
We work with people, young and old, to
develop both academic qualifications and
skills for life. Our network provides various
STORY
ways of breaking down the barriers and How Millwall helped Andrew become
enabling people to find employment. a successful businessman.
‘Get started with Millwall’ supports young people
and adults that want to start their own business.
The programme provides support with training,
funding and mentoring. The community trust staff
acts as mentors covering everything including
business planning, marketing, sales, budgeting
and tax as well as providing ongoing planning,
developing once the business starts trading.
Andrew Burnett is one budding business man that
has benefited from the programme. Andrew, was
helped to start a Fit 4 Life gym in Millwall’sLions
Centre. Andrew said of the opportunity “Without
Millwall’s support in providing the daily advice,
guidance and support that I get from my
There is a lot of work to
assigned mentor John there is no way that I do but my mentor John
would be able to manage a gym like I can today. and the Trust give me
My dream is for the gym to be part of the local
community and particularly for young people,
the confidence to keep
to keep them off the streets and into positive on developing and help
activities.” me recognise every
John, Andrew’s mentor said “The improvements positive step, however
Andrew has made week on week have been small, that I make.
fantastic which is all due to his hard work
and commitment to the young people and
community we collectively serve.”
This has been an unbelievable
opportunity for me and
something I have always wanted
to get into but never had the
resources, support or business
experience to make it a reality.CLARICE’S MICKEY’S
STORY STORY
“When my father was murdered, the support Mickey uses his troubled past to inspire
from Bristol City helped me keep going.” others to a brighter future.
Bristol City Robins Foundation’s Education Mickey McCloskey, Plymouth Argyle’s Community
department is not just an exam factory, they Trust Health and Disability Officer, admits he ‘lost
develop students personally, socially and 22 years of his life to drug and alcohol abuse’.
academically. They use sport, the stadium and However, he is now using his troubled past to
the club badge to build relationships with young inspire unemployed adults with substance misuse
people. Rather than exclude and give up on issues to find work through Argyle’s Changing
students as many other providers do, they work Room programme.
to understand and solve the issues that they face.
The 12 week adult education programme
Clarice’s story shows how this approach is run at Football Clubs around the country
works. Clarice has been brought up by her and looks after the body and mind by of
grandparents, with her Mum and Dad in developing employability skills as well as
and out of her life since she was very young. improving health and wellbeing.
When her father was tragically murdered,
Bristol City provided a refuge for her. Mickey comments, “I’ve been there
Despite such a traumatic event she kept and know what those on the course are
turning up everyday. 75% of City’s students are
feeling. I know what it’s like to get to
that point where you don’t think you’re
I lost 22 years of my
Clarice said: “I just would not have lasted from areas of deprivation, worth anything and there’s no way out.” life to drug and alcohol
anywhere else. This is not like school, 20% have special educational abuse. I’ve been there
where learning never interested me and needs and 60% did not
I didn’t like going to lessons. Here I have and know what the
achieve the prerequisites to
the support around me.”
attend their courses. people on this course
Support and personalised are feeling. I want to
learning from lecturers, who show them that there
also double up as youth is a way out.
workers, councillors and I’ve been clean now for 15
It helped being here positive role models give years, I’ve got a good job
- I have the support
these young people a chance. and a little boy. This didn’t
around me. I just seem possible when I was
would not have lasted sitting where they are now,
anywhere else. but I want them to know
that it is possible.NATALIE’S JOE’S
STORY STORY
With a criminal record, Nat struggled Joe is now teaching the USW degree he
to find employment but the Match Fit completed with Wigan Athletic.
programme landed her a full-time role
Joe Pym, a 26-year-old Education Officer at Wigan
Athletic Community Trust, has embarked on an
The Match Fit programme offers support for educational pathway with Wigan Athletic and the
people over the age of 25 that are struggling to University of South Wales.
find work. The programme helps people overcome
a range of barriers to employment, such as mental Working in conjunction with University of South
health, being a single parent, social isolation, lack Wales, The Foundation Degree in Community
of confidence and physical disabilities Football Coaching and Development develops
the skills and qualities that are required
After moving to Blackpool five years ago from to work within professional football clubs,
Scotland with her son, Natalie struggled to community departments or national governing
find employment due to her criminal record. bodies in areas of growth such as social
After completing the Match Fit programme inclusion, community coaching and football
and passing her Maths and English exams, development.
Natalie landed a full-time role as a cleaner. He is sure the blended learning aspect of
the course and his involvement on both I wasn’t the most
Three months later, she is excelling in
her role and credits the programme courses has led him to achieve his dreams academic person at
and ambitions of working for his
for the many benefits it has given her,
The Match Fit Traineeship school. I was never
including helping her to develop her boyhood Club.
particularly motivated by
self-confidence. at Blackpool FC Community
sitting in a classroom. The
Trust was the best thing I
flexibility of the blended
ever did. I now have a full-
learning is what really
time role and can actually helped me achieve my
go on holidays with my son! ambitions and gain the
qualifications I needed.
Before the Traineeship, In 2018/19 students on
my confidence was Foundation Degree course
really low but the achieved a 95% pass rate,
course helped me
build my confidence
with 8 of those achieving
and find the courage First Class Honours.
to push myself.HEAVENLY’S DOM’S
STORY STORY
How a traineeship with Cardiff City 20 years old and lacking confidence:
gave Heavenly hope for the future. How Dom found work for the first time.
Heavenly moved to Cardiff to be reunited with Before Dominic Thickets attended the 12
her mother, who had relocated to the Welsh week traineeship programme with Blackpool
capital from the Democratic Republic of Congo. FC Community Trust, he was unemployed and
always at home feeling isolated. His tutor at
Her move meant getting to grips with a new Blackpool comments, “When we first met
country, new people and a new culture. Heavenly him, Dom was withdrawn, lacked confidence
wanted to go on to study at university, but and had very low self-esteem.”
couldn’t speak English at the time, which held
her back from achieving her full potential. As part of the traineeship he successfully
passed Maths, English and First Aid
Heavenly enrolled on Cardiff Ciy’s traineeship qualifications and undertook a work
summer project within the Foundation’s placement at Tesco. So with his
Future Pathways programme. This supported confidence increased, a belief that he had
the development of her confidence and skills that could benefit local employer
language skills. Coming to Cardiff City and prepared with his CV and interview
Heavenly successfully completed the six- has made me realise skills he had learned whilst attending
week programme and is now a full-time that I still have a future the traineeship Dom successfully gained
student with Future Pathways. She is and that I can make the
full time employment with Blackpool They’ve helped me
with more aspects of
on course to complete her BTEC Level 3 Pleasure Beach.
Extended Diploma in Sport and is looking most of my education.
to progress to study Physiotherapy at I thought I would only my life than I could
be here to develop my have actually hoped
university, furthering her love of sport
and her passion for learning.
English, but I am with
for, and I want to
people who want to
make them proud
help me grow in my I’ve never been with what I’m going
new home.
employed to accomplish.
Everyone was so welcoming
and supportive, they really before. I’m 20
helped me with my language. so was a really
I used to fear others judging big step.
me when I spoke English.CHAYTEN’S EMILY’S
STORY STORY
How Sunderland’s Education Unemployed, frustrated and unable to
programme gave Chayten a shot get a break. How a 12 week traineeship
at a scholarship in America. changed it all for Emily.
Chayten joined Sunderland’s football education Emily struggled at school. She left aged 17 with an
programme and has completed a Level 3 A* in PE but a D & E in English and Maths.
Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in
Sport and Physical Activity. This meant she didn’t meet the entry
requirementsfor the PE qualification she
The Foundation of Light’s award-winning wanted to study. Instead, she enrolled on a
education programme supports over 100 16 Health and Beauty course, a few months passed
to 18-year-olds to complete Level 2 or Level 3 and she realised the course just wasn’t for her.
qualification in sport combining their love of A frustrating 12 months of unemployment
football with structured learning, and giving followed where she just could not get a break.
them a unique pathway into sport or into
further education. A 12 week traineeship with Wigan Athletic
Community Trust kick started everything
As a result of the course, Chayten has for Emily. The traineeship gave her work
been offered conditional offers at 100% of learners experience and practical skills to improve The traineeship is one of
completed the
universities in England, however Chayten her employability. This meant when the
is hoping to join a football scholarship opportunity for an apprenticeship at the
the best things I’ve ever
programme in America. Level 2 diploma. Trust became available she sailed through done. It helped me to
Calum Maddison, Chayten’s Tutor
the interview. She’s now looking at taking a improve my confidence.
said, “Chayten has been one of our 100% of Level 3 degree course with Wigan Athletic and has
a bright future.
Being able to work with
star students over the last two years
achieving Distinctions consistently in
Foundation Diploma children from different
sport and physical activity subjects. learners progressed backgrounds, allowed me
to second year and to pick up new skills and
learn ways to adapt to
enrolled on the
different sessions.
Extended Diploma.
I have improved If it wasn’t for the
in confidence, traineeship I’d probably
leadership, and still be trying to find
my way into the sports
work ethic. industry.PARTICIPATION
AND COMMUNITY MAREK’S
ENGAGEMENT STORY
We use the power of football to build From a life of crime and drugs,
stronger, more cohesive communities. to helping others.
We work to create engaged, connected and more
resilient communities; encourage participation Marek endured a turbulent past through substance
in civic society and ensure activity is inclusive for all. addiction and life in and out of prison.
In 2016, he realised something had to change and
joined Derby County Community Trust’s Active
Choices Programme which focuses on healthy
lifestyle and behavioural change.
“I knew I had to seize an opportunity to make
a change. I got in touch with Derby County
Community Trust through my rehab programme
and once I was involved with them they helped
me fill my days with football, activities and
positive things. It gave me something to
look forward to and really helped sustain my
recovery.”
Marek has since turned his life around. Life’s a lot better now.
With the help and support of the
club, he found full-time employment Where I’ve come from
and completed a Sports Leadership to where I am now -
qualification Marek is now working within
the team delivering the Active Choices it’s a dramatic change.
Programme helping those who were in a I now have a stable
similar position to him.
life and am helping
other people. My life’s
turned around thanks
to Derby County
I was in prison and in a way Community Trust.
I was relieved to be there
because my life outside of
prison was so bad - that’s
when I realised something
needed to change.BEN’S YONAS’S
STORY STORY
After escaping persecution in his home
Britain’s only full-time deaf country, Yonas arrived in Middlesbrough
football coach is inspiring with nothing – no family, no friends, just
the next generation. the clothes he wore...
Ben, who won a gold medal with Team GB Club Together is a programme with Middlesbrough
Deaf Football at the 2005 Deaf Olympics, FC Foundation aimed at supporting refugees and
has been working for the Bees’ Trust asylum seekers. The group comprises of men
for nine years, overseeing their Deaf who have sought asylum in Middlesbrough due to
Coaching programme. severe risks to their safety in their home countries.
When it first launched, only four One member, Yonas, is a 28 year old refugee
deaf children were involved in the from Eritrea, East Africa. In his home country,
programme,. However, since taking up Yonas was a P.E teacher but one evening
the role, Ben’s has inspired over 180 deaf was forced to work for the army, supporting
children and adults to take part. the government. Yonas fought against this
because it didn’t align with his beliefs, and
“It is important to me as there are not
for this, he was tortured which resulted
enough deaf football coaches. I want
in him fleeing the country. He arrived in
to encourage others to get involved I got involved at the Middlesbrough in 2016 with nothing – no
and learn from my experiences and Football has no language
knowledge.” Trust so that I could family, no friends, just the clothes he wore.
Three days later he joined Club Together. and this allows people
break down the from very different
barriers I faced as a Over the course of the last two years,
Yonas has become a key member of the backgrounds to get to
child – and ensure group, due to his popularity, passion and know and mix with each
sport can be enjoyed love for football. He has since become
a volunteer for MFC Foundation, is due other. It has helped me
by all deaf people. to complete his FA Level one and has to become part of the
started a degree at Teesside University in community and make
Sports Therapy. Yonas has also taken on
Ben has been responsible a mentoring role with new participants friends and made it easier
for fostering the integration who join the programme to support their to settle in to a new town
first steps and to assist Foundation staff by and way of life.
between deaf and hearing providing interpreting skills.
children through the Trust’s
NCS programme.AVA’S BOLTON’S LGBT
STORY YOUTH CLUB
Ava Welsh, 17, from Wigan was selected Award winning LGBTQ+ Youth
to be a ‘Safe Teen’ Ambassador helping Club tackling hate crime.
young people at The Liberty Centre, a Bolton Wanderers Community Trust’s
local domestic abuse charity. (BWCT’s) award winning LGBTQ+ Youth
Club has been hugely successful in making
Ava volunteered to support The liberty Centre a difference in the areas of hate crime,
during her time on NCS (National Citizen Service) equality, diversity and inclusion since
with Wigan Athletic Community Trust. its launch.
The Liberty Centre is a local charity in The young people in the LGBTQ+ Youth
Ormskirk that provide a wealth of services Club have also worked together to create a
for all victims of domestic violence and Hate Crime Awareness training programme
abuse. During NCS, Ava and her group met with Bolton Pride, which will be delivered
with the manager of The Liberty Centre to young people across Bolton in order to
and got an understanding of how the group increase knowledge of what hate crime is
could support charity. It started with the and how to report it.
rejuvenation of their garden so that children
could enjoy this area and bring colour to what Jaeden, a member of the LGBTQ+ Youth
was a run down space. After raising money Without NCS I wouldn’t Club said: “The LGBTQ+ Youth Club
to fund their project the team got to work
by painting the fences, building a vegetable
have been able to has created a comfortable and safe
environment, free of judgement, for me
Young people are
become Safe Teen
patch, and tidying up the space for the to flourish and develop as a person. It’s the future and the
ambassador, so it’s helped
children to enjoy.
me to help others. My
become a staple in my life and I look
forward to it every week.” leaders of tomorrow.
Inspired by the work of the charity, Ava
wanted to continue volunteering at the new role has allowed It’s so important
charity after doing NCS and was offered me to give confidence that they feel
the role as a ‘Safe Teen’ Ambassador.
to young people but in accepted to be who
return it has given me a
they are.
lot of confidence.
She is an inspirational young The difference we have
person and has really helped us made to the people
shape the programmes ensuring who attend is amazing.
the views and opinions of young Every single person has
people are captured within
said they have made
delivery of the project.
new friends.
Stacey Hives, The Liberty CentreJAY’S STORY CONNOR’S
Former offender Jay Adam now
mentors young people helping
them stay away from crime.
STORY
Connor, 17, from Doncaster is an EFL
Jay Adam was involved in county lines drug
dealing. He initially got involved because they
Trust NCS Graduate who took part in
was nothing else to do. During a spell in prison NCS with Club Doncaster Foundation.
he reflected on how he had negatively affected He has since been selected as a National
so many lives. It was during his time in prison he
got involved with Reading FC Community Trust
#iwill Ambassador
who helped him start to change his life. because of his passion for making
Back in London, he became a mentor for a positive difference.
Charlton Athletic Community Trust’s (CACT’S)
Since NCS, Connor joined the regional youth
Crime Reduction Programme. The project aims
board in Yorkshire and Humber where he
to improve the emotional well being of young
is a voice for young people in that region.
people, provide higher aspirations and reduce
Outside of NCS Connor is making a huge
anti-social and criminal behaviour in the area.
difference in the community through
Jay’s experience gives him an understanding Doncaster’s Youth Council, as well as being
of what the young people are going through. awarded the Princess Diana Award for his
In return they recognise Jay as someone who work on anti-bullying in schools.
understands their world. It’s not about telling His impact has been recognised nationally,
With Jay’s help the programme has them what to do. It’s as after an impressive application Connor
The role of an #iwill
significantly impacted over 2,000 young about making them was selected to take his place amongst Ambassador is something
people. Many of those engaged in the
understand the choices
fifty inspirational youth ambassadors I am hugely passionate
programme have moved onto education, who will lead on a high profile national about. Raising both
employment, training or volunteering . they have. It’s so #iwill campaign, aimed at encouraging
the profile of young
There has also been a reduction in criminal rewarding when you young people to take an active part in their
behaviour. community. people’s potential and
see the light bulb go on
also challenging the
in their head and they perception that people
realise about the right have of young adults my
choices they can make. age is vital.
It always helps if you can NCS opened my eyes
find that level footing with and gave me a better
a young person and say ‘I’ve understanding of the
been there, I know what it’s community I live in.
like to be in your shoes’.A MUM’S LOUIE’S
STORY STORY
Turn2Us combats food poverty by “NCS made me who I am today”
providing hot meals to all ages “They were the worst two years of my life. I was shy,
during the school holidays. nervous and wouldn’t talk to people,” says Louie
Salmon.
The holidays should be something to look However fast forward two years after completing
forward to, but sadly for some families that isn’t NCS (National Citizen Service) with Peterborough
always the case. Some children just aren’t able United Louie is a very different person. He now has
to eat well. the confidence to stand in front of peers and tell his
Mum ‘M’ has two children aged 3 & 5. story whilst also securing a job with United. NCS is a
Her husband had just started a new job three week programme that challenges young and
doing very long hours. When Mum M and her helps their transition into adulthood.
children first arrived at the Turn2Us session Months before Louie was due to depart for NCS
they appeared a very happy family. However, he had reservations about going because of time
she opened up to the staff at Sky Blues in the away from home and was nervous about meeting
Community and explained that she has had new people. On a bad day Louie would email
growing feelings of loneliness and isolation; Peterborough to explain that he wasn’t
which after a long, hard Easter in 2018 feeling up to it. However, after completing
came to a head and she had a complete
breakdown and left the family home. The children loved the the NCS programme he was a different I had begun to think
healthy food. It really
person and has gone onto get himself a role
on NCS with Peterborough United sharing
I was a lost cause
Mum ‘M’ had been dreading the summer
holidays. However the Turn2Us session helped with finances his experience with others that were in and that nothing I
provided the support that she needed and which are always his shoes. did would help me
helped her cope, she said “The children stretched with just one get better. Luckily, I
loved the healthy food. It really helped
with finances which are always stretched working parent. was wrong! I pushed
with just one working parent. The The staff were amazing through exam season
children were entertained and stimulated
with us and made us and I did it! I went on
throughout the day. The staff were
amazing with us and made us feel like feel like part of the programme (NCS) and
part of the community.” community. He came on the programme it was the best thing I
quite quiet and shy and left ever did.
a confident and positive
The project saved young man. His increased
my life – I would not confidence made him an
excellent project leader.
have got through the
summer without it.SAJ & AIDEN’S JACK’S
STORY STORY
How NCS made two teenagers from Jack, 18 is a young wheelchair user
different backgrounds best friends. who by his own admission used to
struggle in social settings, however
Aiden from Barnsley and Saj from
Grimsby have been inseparable after thanks to NCS he has a new found
completing NCS. The pair, who live 80 confidence.
miles apart and live completely different
lives, met after an NCS an event called His mum Bernie Jones from Middlesbrough has
Kickstart. thanked MFC Foundation (Middlesbrough Football
Club) and NCS (National Citizen Service) for giving
On meeting for the first time Aiden said, her son, Jack, ‘a new sense of purpose’ and believes
“Right from the start Saj was making he has come on ‘leaps and bounds as a young man’
jokes with everyone. He was down to since doing NCS in 2019.
earth and brilliant at making everyone
feel included.” Since meeting, they have During Jack’s experience on NCS, he and
met up a number of times both socially his team supported a number of charities
and through NCS opportunities and such as raising money for the local care
will know each other even more going home Hillcare, revamping the Teesside
forward as they will be living with each Nautical Studies centre and raising money
other whilst at University!
NCS has helped me a lot since for a local disability society which Jack is I’ve definitely got better
involved with. Jack is now a key member of at working in a team and I
going on programme. It’s MFC Foundation’s Youth boards where he to
love the opportunity to be
allowed me to be involved in continues making a positive impact in his
involved in discussions. But,
local community.
some of the most incredible most of all, NCS allowed me
opportunities and of course, to develop my self-confidence
led me to meet Aiden and and make new friends. I
other people, which I am so realised that I could do just
The change that I have as much as other people if
grateful for.
witnessed as a parent not more, and I’m so pleased
has been astounding. NCS that the NCS team at MFC
Even though we live
essentially has given Jack a Foundation helped me to
around 80 miles apart achieve this.
from each other, it doesn’t new sense of purpose and as
stop us from seeing each a young man he has come on
other as much as possible. leaps and bounds.
Bernie, Jack’s MumNATIONAL
DELIVERY,
LOCAL
IMPACT
We would like to thank our
programme partners and funders.
We look forward to continuing our @EFLTrust • 01772 325954
work together. info@efltrust.com • efltrust.com
EFL Trust and our network are supported by: The Football League Community Limited,
registered number 6469948, Charity
registered number 1132689.You can also read
