Backed by Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jamie Carragher, Liverpool charity Football For Change is offering grants of up to £10,000 to transform the lives of young people. Tony McDonough reports

Young people and community projects across the North West can now apply for grants of up to £10,000 from Liverpool-based charity Football For Change.

Launched in 2020, Football For Change aims to lift young people out of poverty by giving them the tools to build better futures. It is supported by leading lights in football including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Cody, Toni Duggan and Jamie Carragher

Football For Change focuses support on NEET (not in education, employment or training) young people by funding projects to help them into further education and employment.

Thanks to funding from the charity, 40 disadvantaged young people from Liverpool have already travelled to the US for a month-long sports and education retreat. It has also helped to finance the building of a new education hub in Bootle.

And, by partnering with Local Solutions, it has  helped young people into jobs and has also helped homeless youngsters back into work and accommodation in Glasgow.

READ MORE: Football For Change makes awards shortlist

Now, the fund, managed by the Communities Foundation for Lancashire and Merseyside, is encouraging young people and community projects in the North West who support young people to apply for grants.

Funding will primarily focus on projects that provide life-changing opportunities in education and social mobility initiatives in education, employment and sport and will target those who have experienced poverty and economic challenges.

Applications can be made via the Communities Foundation for Lancashire and Merseyside at www.cfmerseyside.org.uk until February 20.

Co-chair of Football For Change, Jamie Carragher, said:  “Football For Change is investing in young people who have experienced tough starts in life.

“This fund is about giving them the tools to build better futures whether that be by providing opportunities in education, employment, training or sport. It is already making a huge difference.”

Football For Change also has the backing of football superstars including Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham and Lioness Beth Mead. Sir Rod Stewart is patron of the initiative and it has had major support from business leaders including founding sponsor Swinton Insurance.