Street Soccer is a charity that uses football and sport to bring positive change to people’s lives. We work with the homeless, refugees and asylum seekers, unemployed, people with addictions and mental health issues, ex prisoners and more. Our project includes weekly football and sports sessions across Belfast, Derry/Londonderry, Coleraine, Bangor and Downpatrick engaging with at least 200 people a week. Attached to the activities we offer 1-1 support to the clients to access housing, obtain employment, enrol on courses, to access support with addictions or mental health and to become a volunteer. We provide regular workshops and courses for personal development which will help people to develop skills and rebuild their lives and thrive in their communities. We recently developed a social enterprise called 'Street Move' which is a man with a van removal service supporting people to move house, dump runs, deliveries etc. We also run a furniture and clothes shop on Botanic Avenue selling affordable 2nd hand items to people on low income.

Why the community needs us
Benefits of being involved in the project include better physical and mental health, increased confidence and self esteem, motivation, structure, friendships, support with housing and employment, help to overcome addictions and more. Players who come to our projects regularly are less likely to re offend or commit anti social behaviour. We have a number of players who have become volunteers and now give something back to the charity and have become leaders in their community. Our office building on Botanic Avenue has a clothes and furniture shop offering affordable prices to people in the community on low income. To those struggling with the cost of living we can offer support through our food bank and help with electric, gas and other needs.

Our impact on the community
We work with over 200 people a week and we provide support for any needs they have. Our project is unique as not only provides free football to disadvantaged groups but also helps them get housing and employment. Every year we also take a team of 8 homeless men and women to Homeless World Cup which has a huge impact on their lives. Since 2013 we have been to Poland, Chile, Amsterdam, Glasgow, Oslo, Mexico and Cardiff. For more info check out our website www.streetsoccerni.org.