STREET LEAGUE BENEFIT FROM PEOPLE'S POSTCODE LOTTERY
TV host Max Rushden this week visited Beyond Sport, Sport Barclays for Employability Award shortlister, Street League, at the organisation's North London Academy to receive a cheque for £350,000 from players of People’s Postcode Lottery on behalf of the charity.
Now in its 10th year players of the charity lottery have raised over £95.3million for good causes across Great Britain and internationally.
The vital funding will be used to fund Street League’s award-winning Academy programme, which works with 16 to 24-year-olds who face socio-economic barriers and supports them into sustained employment, education and training.
Max, who is the host for Sky Sports’ Fantasy Football Club and TalkSport radio, has been an ambassador for the charity for the last three years and visited Academies across the UK.
He said: “I love working for Street League because it actually makes a difference. I've spoken to so many young people talk about how Street League has helped them get their lives back on track. So thanks to the players of People’s Postcode Lottery, Street League will be able to change even more lives through football.”
Matt Stevenson-Dodd, Chief Executive of Street League said: “We are very grateful to players of People’s Postcode Lottery for supporting our work in helping young people living in disadvantaged communities overcome the barriers they face to employment and training.
“Helping a young person get into sustained work can change their life for good, and plays a vital part in them becoming a valued and productive member of their local community.”
This year Street League will help more than 1500 young people into employment, education and training.
Clara Govier, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “The support that Street League provides to young people across the UK is invaluable. As a result of funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery the positive impact of Street League on young people from disadvantaged backgrounds will only continue to increase. We are delighted that players of People’s Postcode Lottery are able to support Street League.”
On the Street League Academy, young people develop employability skills such as teamwork, communication and self-awareness, and get to play football every day. They undergo CV-writing and mock interview sessions with real employers, and acquire nationally-recognised qualifications in numeracy, literacy and employability.
Street League then provide work placement opportunities with employers for Academy graduates, and aftercare staff support them through the early stages of employment.