Street Soccer Scotland: "Changing lives is our goal"

 
Street Soccer Scotland is a non-profit social enterprise that uses football to tackle social exclusion and improve the lives of socially disadvantaged adults and young people.

We work with people affected by homelessness, addiction, mental health problems and long-term unemployment. Street Soccer is trying to create a pathway. When the guys come to a drop-in session, they’ll get the core skills: communication, confidence, physical fitness; their mental health also improves.

Then they can access one of our league programmes, which offers competitive football once a month. If they have two or three football sessions a week, it’s something to prepare for. If they have alcohol or drug issues, it’s something they’ll maybe try to reduce to be better on the pitch. They’ll maybe try to eat better, to start looking after themselves.

Then they will hopefully move on to one of our personal development courses. Football Works is an eight-week programme focusing on personal development and work skills. It offers qualifications through the SQA, which can be taken into further education or into the job market.

David Duke, chief executive, Street Soccer Scotland

The Big Issue has teamed up with Street Soccer Scotland to offer readers the chance to win a shirt signed by the Manchester United first-team squad, including Rooney, Giggs, Scholes and Rio. To enter click here. For more on Street Soccer visit streetsoccerscotland.org