A TEAM from Reading is set to take part in an annual football tournament in support of efforts to tackle homelessness.
The Salvation Army’s regular tournament is back for its 13th year, bringing together teams from Lifehouses hostels, supported housing, outreach programmes, and drop-in services from around the UK.
Reading’s Willow House team will compete in the Partnership Trophy, run by The Salvation Army with support from the Guardiola Sala Foundation (GSF), the humanitarian charity set up by Manchester City FC manager Pep Guardiola.
It is also sponsored by Sagic, the Salvation Army General Insurance Corporation, the profits of which are used to help causes supported by the Salvation Army.
The Willow House team will is embarking today (Thursday, September 19) to Manchester’s GOALS, where former professional footballer for the Welsh national team John Hartson will blow to whistle to get the competition underway.
He’ll also be cheering on the teams as well as sharing his own experiences of tackling gambling addiction and overcoming cancer.
The Partnership Trophy launched in 2010 as a way for The Salvation Army to promote positive and independent living to its service users who are or have experienced homelessness.
Nathan Slinn, deputy director of the Homelessness Services Department for The Salvation Army, said: “Our annual Partnership Trophy celebrates everyone within our homelessness services, acknowledging the journey they are on to be the best version of themselves while recognising the challenges that many have had to overcome.
“Sport is an excellent activity to boost both mental and physical health, build on social skills and make friendships, working together as a team.
“There are often very complex reasons why people find themselves homeless and this tournament reinforces our ethos that our services provide so much more than just a roof and that, together with our partners, we’re committed to ending the cycle of homelessness – and what this event is all about.”
More information about The Salvation Army is available via: salvationarmy.org.uk
