Wellbeing Football and Sports Case Study
Earlier this year, Stockport Homes' Customer Engagement Team connected with Mike, founder of Wellbeing Football and Sports, as he was beginning to establish his community group. His vision was simple but powerful: to provide free football opportunities for people across the borough.
From the outset, the team worked closely with Mike to help turn that vision into a sustainable community offer. This included supporting Wellbeing Football and Sports to become a constituted organisation, helping to put the necessary banking arrangements in place and supporting its first funding application.
That support helped secure funding for 15 weeks of free football sessions at Lancashire Hill, which have consistently attracted around 20 to 25 young people each week. The sessions are giving young people a positive activity in their community, helping them to build confidence, make connections and enjoy sport.
The relationship has also helped strengthen engagement with the wider community. Mike has become a trusted local figure, building strong relationships with young people and their families. Through working alongside him, Stockport Homes' Customer Engagement Team has been able to connect with residents, understand local concerns and help identify where further support may be needed. This included attending a football session to speak directly with parents about issues affecting the local area while young people took part in activities.
As the sessions developed, the team also helped connect Mike with local councillors and partners to explore further funding and expand the project into Mottram, where there was an opportunity to use positive activities to help address anti-social behaviour. With support from Stockport Homes' Safer Neighbourhoods and Neighbourhoods teams, young people previously linked to anti-social behaviour are now positively engaging in the football sessions each week.
The impact has continued to grow. Wellbeing Football and Sports has received further backing from local councillors, including funding beyond the usual £1,000 limit at a recent Area Committee meeting, while councillors from other wards have shown an interest in bringing the sessions into their communities.
A National Lottery funding bid has also been submitted which, if successful, could support three years of sessions across five locations in Stockport.
Parent of a participant says:
"My Daughter attends mikes football session’s. Her confidence has come on so much. She was going through a really rough time at school being bullied her confidence was really low. She loves playing football and now she has a spring in her step again and met lovely girls who she bonds with at football. Mike mentioned there was trials coming up at Bury football club. Since then, she has been asked to attend Port vale women’s FC for a further trial. She is over the moon!"
Want to get involved? Keep an eye on the Facebook page for updates on when and where upcoming sessions will take place.
