Best Wishes to all our Supporters
Our Update on 2021, a new normal and hope for bigger and better in 2022
2021 started with the anticipation of getting things back to ‘normal’ and putting the challenges of the Covid-19 lockdown firmly behind us. In reality, we have had to come to terms with a new normal, amending some of the ways we live & work. At Street Soccer Academy, despite the challenges, 2021 has been a year of re-establishing our work after a time of furlough and we are excited for what the new year will bring. In this letter we celebrate some of the highlights of 2021 and some exciting plans as we look forward to the new year.
Ten Year Anniversary and more…
This year we celebrated a 10 year anniversary. It was on 14th February 2011 that our Co-founders, Andrew Thorp & Simon Murphy formally established Street Soccer Academy as a registered charity in England and Wales. With origins dating back to 2005, SSA has now built a reputation and track-record of providing vital help and support to the hardest to reach individuals in our community.
read more here
Funding Boost
2021 was a significant year in terms of support received from funding partners. Although the restrictions placed on us due to Covid-19 lockdown were sometimes frustrating, this period of time allowed us to step up the planning and evaluation of our work and to develop relationship with a good number of funding partners.
read more here
A New Initiative Coming in 2022
Those who follow Street Soccer activities closely through our social media channels can not have failed to notice us publicising the launch of a new initiative in 2022. The Boot Room @ Street Soccer Academy is our response in looking to engage with males aged 18+, particularly looking at addressing issues related to isolation and it’s effects on wellbeing. Our hope is this new programme will act as a form of early intervention in preventing developing issues becoming specific welfare needs.
The Boot Room programme will be linked to activity at our regional centres. Service Users will take part in the SSA Coach Education & Personal Development Programme, meaning they will have hands-on responsibility of delivering and participating in England Football Accredited coaching sessions. In addition, service users will receive ongoing appraisals with SSA staff regarding their wellbeing and support in accessing any additional help, should this be appropriate.
Referrals for this programme will be on a ‘self’ referral basis (or from friends & family) for individuals who would benefit from engaging with a form of physical activity, the support of like-minded peers and ongoing wellbeing appraisals.
read more here
and finally…..
Thanks for Your Support
The work of Street Soccer Academy relies on the support of individuals like yourself. We appreciate the time and effort you make to take an interest in what we do and for the finance you make available to us, whether personal or corporate. We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy Christmas & a prosperous new year and look forward to meeting up in person with many of you, soon.
Andrew, Simon & Zoe (SSA Senior Management Team),
Tony, Anthony & Andy (SSA Staff) and all the SSA Volunteers
