Sport in your region

Organisations around England are offering opportunities for people experiencing homelessness to take part in physical activity. Some of these programmes include further education opportunities and all focus on providing new opportunities and experiences, healthy living, socialising and a potential path to independent living.

Nationally

England Homeless Football Network: A network of organisations who offer football opportunities to homeless people, you can register to receive news and updates on activities around the country. Events, resources and discussions can be found on the website and they welcome all views and comments to develop the game nationally.

East of England

StreetLife Soccer: A programme that runs for 30-weeks across the year, with daily two-hour sessions, comprising an hour of ‘team talk’ – during which learners cover such areas as problem-solving, communication and working as a team in a relaxed environment. This is followed by an hour of football at Norwich City facilities, with the club’s coaches and there are also regular opportunities to take part in tournaments and competitions. More than 270 – men and women from 16 to 64 – have enrolled on the programme so far, many going on to gain a first qualification, and some becoming mentors or FA-qualified coaches in their own right.

Get Active Programme: Offered by Cambridge City Council, Hopebridge and Invigorate, these physical activity sessions for mental health service users and homeless communities in Cambridge provide swimming, gym passes, football, bowls, t'ai chi, chair exercises, table tennis, tennis, badminton, yoga and multi-sport activities.

East Midlands

NFA Derby FC: A self-help group run by and for members who have first-hand experience of poverty, homelessness and social exclusion. With a squad of 30+ players and a seven person management team, they have two teams who compete in the eleven-a-side Sunday Church League and provide new members with a Player's Handbook to outline expectations.

London

Street League: Street League delivers structured sport and education programmes to some of the most disadvantaged young people across the UK. Street League works with a range of ‘hard to reach’ NEET groups (Not in Education, Employment or Training) to tackle issues such as homelessness, substance addiction, crime and unemployment. Information on their sessions and programme can be found on their website.

Street League Women's Academy: The Street League  Academy is an 8 week training programme run 3 times a year where 16 – 25 year olds not currently in education or employment can gain qualifications and employment support.  The academy is led by a Street League Coach and a Progressions Co-ordinator.  Using football and physical activity as a common language, we move participants into education or employment by developing employability skills, gaining formal qualifications and developing valuable life skills.

Positive Mental Attitudes (PMA) London Leagues: For people who have experienced acute or enduring mental health problems. The main aim of the league is to bridge the gap between hospital and community living, provide meaningful activities and to break down barriers of stigma and inclusion within the local communities by educating and normalising mental health. Each team is a community based service run by service users and mental health support staff. All teams who are affiliated consist of male/female adults, who have experienced acute or enduring mental health problems and that are living in the community or hospital setting. Players can join voluntarily or can be referred by Community Mental Health Services, Day Hospitals, Hostels, CPN or self referral as part of their Care Plan Approach (CPA).

Ping! London: Free to access table tennis across the city is continuing after the Ping! London event. You can go to their website to find a site near you.

Free Swim Fridays (Tower Hamlets): All residents of Tower Hamlets can benefit from free swimming on Fridays. If you are interested in arranging for your clients to benefit from this, please get in touch with the Homeless Link Sports Development Officer. There are also swimming offers on for women, under 16s and over 60s.

North East

DePaul Trust UK: Offering a variety of sports activities and training their opportunities can be found in their Sports Timetable or by visiting their Training & Employment website.

SUNEE Street League: Multi-sport days offered across the region with the chance to gain First Aid, Community Sports Leadership Award and Fit for Work certificates. More information on events and sessions can be found on their website.

North West

Liverpool Homeless Football Club: Since 2007 they have been running a 6-a-side football league for hostels in Liverpool and organising football matches and events to help break the monotony of hostel life.

Get Active Events: An annual event which has run for three years, offering a taste of sport to homeless people from across Greater Manchester. This is run by Sport4Life, a social enterprise that works closely with agencies in the area. On 8 December 2010 there is a five-a-side football tournament that you can join. Please download the registration form here.

Liverpool Homeless Games: Took place in 2010 on 9 and 10 September and welcomed agencies from around Liverpool to take part in ten events in an Olympic style competition. Health information was on site and all participants received a medal for taking part. They are hoping to expand to a regional event in 2011.

South East

Streets Revolution Oxford: A weekly drop-in football and netball group for socially excluded groups in Oxford they are working to change perceptions in society. They meet every week at Iffley Road, University Sports Ground. To learn more, please contact Jon Regler.

Positive Mental Attitudes (PMA) Surrey League: For people who have experienced acute or enduring mental health problems. The main aim of the league is to bridge the gap between hospital and community living, provide meaningful activities and to break down barriers of stigma and inclusion within the local communities by educating and normalising mental health. Each team is a community based service run by service users and mental health support staff. All teams who are affiliated consist of male/female adults, who have experienced acute or enduring mental health problems and that are living in the community or hospital setting. Players can join voluntarily or can be referred by Community Mental Health Services, Day Hospitals, Hostels, CPN or self referral as part of their Care Plan Approach (CPA).

Football Matches Wanted! If you have a football team in the South-East / Surrey areas, please get in touch with Lindsey at Homeless Link to arrange some friendlies.

South West

Great Grass Project: Take part in a nine week programme at a local football club and gain their Cisco Networking Academy accredited NVQ level 2 award to help participants gain ICT skills. The programme culminates in a Great Day Out at the Eden Project and an employability day with local employers, further education instutions, recruiters and relevant partners.

Yorkshire and Humberside

FAsT: Football as Therapy is an ongoing programme that since 2002 has been successfully engaging individuals with football and supporting them through their Level 1 in Development of Personal Health and Fitness.

Positive Mental Attitudes (PMA) Yorkshire & Humberside League: For people who have experienced acute or enduring mental health problems. The main aim of the league is to bridge the gap between hospital and community living, provide meaningful activities and to break down barriers of stigma and inclusion within the local communities by educating and normalising mental health. Each team is a community based service run by service users and mental health support staff. All teams who are affiliated consist of male/female adults, who have experienced acute or enduring mental health problems and that are living in the community or hospital setting. Players can join voluntarily or can be referred by Community Mental Health Services, Day Hospitals, Hostels, CPN or self referral as part of their Care Plan Approach (CPA).

West Midlands

Start Again CIC: A social enterprise that is currently running a user-led project with support from BEN PCT and Young Foundation to empower young people with mental health issues through exercise, community re-integration and employment opportunities.

Further Information

If you have any programme(s) that you would like to add to this list, please get in touch with our Sports Development Officer, Lindsey Horsfield.