Register now for the next Street Soccer taster day on September 6, 2017.
Following two successful cohorts last season, the Kent and Medway Street Soccer programme is returning this autumn to support more disadvantaged young people across the county.
The Street Soccer programme is a free 12-week football themed course for young people, with a focus on enterprise and employability. Using a combination of football activities and educational workshops, the course is dedicated to developing skills and helping young participants to find work, education or training.
The programme is open to anyone aged 18-24, male or female, who's committed to self-improvement and willing to take steps towards employment or training opportunities.
A free taster day is being held on Wednesday September 6 2017 for anyone interested in joining the next cohort. The taster day will take place at K Sports in Aylesford, and will run from 12pm to 3pm.
To find out more and to register for the taster day, contact Leanne Zahra at hello@streetsoccerfoundation.org.uk, or call 0742 347 0533.
Participants who are successful in getting onto the programme will have the opportunity to take part in football sessions with FA-qualified Community Trust coaches, as well as receiving training on mind-set, CV writing, and employability skills. Participants will also get the chance to meet with local businesses and discuss employment opportunities.
IMPACT
For those who take part, the programme can have a real life-changing impact. Twenty-one year old Street Soccer Graduate Michael, for example, had been homeless for six months before he joined the programme, but has since benefitted greatly from being involved. He has now become a Street Soccer Ambassador, and he explained: "[the programme] has definitely changed my life; I'm looking more positive, and feeling more like I want to go for a job."
Many other previous participants have also become ambassadors for the programme, which is now expanding to multiple venues in order to support as many young people as possible.
Founder and CEO Keith Mabbutt said: "The response [last season] was fantastic. We've worked hard together with key stakeholders across the Kent and Medway region to make a collaborative impact, with the results proving our partnership-driven model works. Every single one of our course graduates from last season achieved some form of progressive pathway.
"As a result of the positive outputs and outcomes, we're looking forward to expanding and delivering on more programmes across multiple venues in Kent in 2017-18."
To find out more, visit the Street Soccer Foundation website, or follow @StreetSoccerCIC and @GillsCommunity for regular updates.
The Street Soccer Foundation are really pleased to have Kent firm FM Conway sponsoring the programme again for the new season. If you're also interested in supporting the Street Soccer initiative in any way, contact hello@streetsoccerfoundation.org.uk for more information, or look out for details of business events coming soon.