AN annual football tournament for people who are homeless will kick off next week seeing a Salvation Army team from Warrington competing in a five-a-side competition representing the area against other teams from around the country.
To raise awareness of homelessness and backed by Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola through his charity, Guardiola Sala Foundation (GSF), The Salvation Army’s Partnership Trophy will return for its fourteenth year and competing to win is a team from James Lee House, a Lifehouse (hostel), located on Brick Street, Warrington.
Residents and staff will take part in the friendly five-a-side game which will see 29 teams from the church and charity’s homelessness services around the United Kingdom battle for the top spot on Thursday 18th September.
The friendly five-a-side competition, with the aim to boost morale and improve positive wellbeing and mental health amongst people experiencing homelessness, is run in partnership with The Salvation Army’s subsidiary, Salvation Army Homes, bringing together football teams from Lifehouses (hostels), supported housing, outreach programmes and drop-in services, together from around the UK.
The Salvation Army strongly believes in helping its residents tackle the underlying reasons why they became homeless, such as addiction or mental health problems, to ensure they aren’t trapped in a cycle of rough-sleeping and temporary accommodation.
CASE STUDY
Steven, 43, is a resident at a Salvation Army Lifehouse. Steven found himself homeless when his father moved into a care home. He said: “Playing football gives me peace of mind, it keeps me motivated and gives a structure to my day. I love the atmosphere and being part of a team. It’s keeping me really active as well and football helps me with my mental health.
“I’ve been to The Partnership Trophy before, I can’t wait for it. I count down the days and I’m first up on the day making sure everyone has a healthy breakfast and no sugar in their tea!”
Special guest, former professional footballer Stuart Pearce, will blow the whistle to start the tournament, cheering players on throughout the day and inspiring the teams to be the best version of themselves that they can be, sharing top tips on how he managed extreme highs and intense lows experienced through his career.
Debbie Rutter, service manager at The Salvation Army’s James Lee House said: “Our Partnership Trophy celebrates everyone within our homelessness services, acknowledging the journey they are on to be the best version of themselves while recognising the challenges that many have had to overcome. It is a great opportunity for our residents, boosting confidence and encouraging all to reach their full potential.
“Football, and sport in general has the power to change lives; it boosts both mental and physical health, builds on social skills and encourages friendships to be made, showing how powerful working together as a team can be, giving more people a chance and an opportunity to change their life.
“We know from firsthand experience that there are often very complex reasons why people find themselves homeless and this tournament reinforces our ethos that our services provide so much more than just a roof and that we’re committed to ending the cycle of homelessness.”
Alongside Stuart Pearce, the Partnership Trophy will be supported by the Guardiola Sala Foundation (GSF), a humanitarian charity set up by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and his family, who attended the event in 2019 and have been involved and a supporter ever since.
The annual tournament is one of the many ways that The Salvation Army promotes positive and independent living for its service users, while reinforcing its message that helping people to move on from homelessness is more than just providing a home.
The Salvation Army is one of the largest homelessness charities operating in the UK, providing more than 3,000 places for people in Lifehouses (hostels) across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
