Street Soccer NI tackles homelessness and disadvantage by providing support built around football activities. They work with some of society's most excluded and vulnerable people including those affected by homelessness, addiction, mental health difficulties, refugees and asylum seekers. They engage with hard to reach people who are currently not accessing support from main stream services, however through football activities they receive the support they need. Through soccer they support each regular player to develop a support plan and they help them to meet their needs and achieve their goals including housing, education, volunteering and employment and provide housing support interventions to help them to access specialist services they need to maintain their home and avoid homelessness.
This group received £5,000 in 2021 towards the Coordinator’s salary, pitch hire costs and core costs which will allow them to continue to support men affected by homelessness, addiction, mental health issues, those who are asylum seekers or refugees in the Coleraine area. The Coordinator will provide one to one support tailored to players needs to help them access support. This support will tackle the person's needs outside of housing (mental health/addictions/education/personal resources) and ensure the player has access to the right support for the long term.
