Social mobility charity Football For Change, supported by players including Trent Alexander-Arnold, releases £300,000 in grants for groups across the North West. Tony McDonough reports

Football For Change has released £300,000 in grants to benefit 16 community organisations supporting young people in Liverpool city region and Greater Manchester.

Supported by current professional footballers Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Coady, as well as former Liverpool defender turned Sky Sports pundit, Jamie Carragher, Football For Change is a charity promoting social mobility for young people.

Also supported by Liverpool PR entrepreneur Dan Hughes, the charity helps young people to build better futures through education, employment and sport via grants of up to £10,000 to local organisations.

16 recipients based in Liverpool city region and Greater Manchester have been allocated major funding, including Formby Community Football Club, The Big Trust, Wirral Youth Zone and The Inclusive Hub.

Football For Change has raised more than £1.1m since launching in 2021. It brings together sports stars and business leaders to help NEET (not in education, employment or training) and others who’ve grown up facing social and economic disadvantages.

It aims to change lives and help young people break down barriers of poverty to reach their potential. Since formation, Football For Change has sent more than 100 disadvantaged young people to the US for a month-long sports and education retreat.

And it has partnered with the Celtic Foundation to support young people growing up in poverty in Glasgow and has worked with the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust to fund opportunities for young women and girls. 

Football For Change has also helped to finance the build of an education hub at The Brunswick Youth Club in Bootle. Stars including England midfielder Jude Bellingham, Lioness Beth Mead and BBC presenter Gary Lineker have also backed the initiative. 

Sir Rod Stewart is also patron of the charitable fund and performed at its first major gala in 2021. Fundraising events have also been supported by the likes of Noel Gallagher, Robbie Williams and Olly Murs.

Football for Change chairman, Jamie Carragher, said: “This new round of funding will help continue to make a positive impact and change the lives of young people facing barriers to achieving their potential.

“This is another major moment for Football For Change and shows the power of footballers and business leaders coming together to provide opportunities to those who need a bit of help in life.”

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Trent Alexander-Arnold added: “Football For Change is about helping young people onto a positive path.

“It is footballers and business leaders coming together with a goal to help improve the life chances and opportunities of young people from some of the most challenged communities in the country. It is a brilliant initiative and is needed now more than ever.”

Football For Change 2024 funding beneficiaries include:

• Apollo Sports Club CIC (Knowsley)
• Big Condo Training Academy (Liverpool)
• Brunswick Youth and Community Centre (Sefton)
• Community Capacity Builders (Wirral)
• Digital Arts Box CIC (St Helens)
• EPIC Social Care C.I.C. (Liverpool)
• FC St Helens Community CIC (St. Helens)
• Formby Community Football Club (Sefton)
• Team Oasis (Liverpool)
• The Big Trust Limited (Liverpool)
• The Inclusive Hub CIC (Liverpool)
• Together Were Stronger CIC (Liverpool)
• Wirral Youth Zone (Wirral)
• Believe Achieve CIC (Bolton)
• ReachOut Youth (Manchester)
• Volunteer It Yourself (Manchester)