Best Club CSR or Community Scheme
Albion in the Community
Albion in the Community (AITC) is the official charity of Brighton & Hove Albion, reaching 43,000 people annually in Sussex. Its 179 paid employees and 500 volunteers deliver 60 different projects across 60 miles of the coast – including in some of the most economically and health deprived coastal communities in the UK.
A recent independent social and economic study found AITC creates an annual impact valued at £28.75million, from an income of just £3.2million; for every £1 of income, the charity creates £8.84 of positive social and economic impact.
It is a charity which supporters are incredibly proud of. In the most-recent Premier League Fan Matchday Survey, AITC’s work led the way in how fans of Premier League clubs viewed their community schemes.
The survey found 95% of Albion supporters felt the club made a significant contribution to the local community, compared to the Premier League average of 77%; 94% also felt the work in the community was an important part of the culture and philosophy of Brighton & Hove Albion, while 92% said they were aware of community initiatives run by AITC, compared to the Premier League average of 73%.
Everton in the Community – The People’s Place
Everton in the Community is one of the UK’s top sporting charities and is considered one of the Premier League’s leading community schemes due to the quality and reach of its programmes.
Everton in the Community was the first Premier League community arm to address mental health as a targeted development programme and the charity was recently visited by HRH The Duke of Cambridge who praised the Club’s official charity for using its influence to support its fans and community and address key social issues affecting the local community.
Mental health is an increasing and challenging issue within our society; suicide kills 114 people across Merseyside each year. Everton in the Community has a responsibility to effect change and the charity has launched its most ambitious fundraising campaign yet, The People’s Place, to build a permanent mental health facility in the shadows of Goodison Park.
Leicester City in the Community
Leicester City in the Community is an independent, registered charity governed by a board of Trustees, however we do not work alone. We are a central part of Leicester City Football Club, and by working closely with the Club we deliver positive opportunities through three key themes of work – Education, Community Engagement, and Health and Wellbeing. To positively engage our diverse communities we have a growing dedicated team of over 45 staff – all with a range of experience, knowledge and skills, enabling the successful delivery of tailored and bespoke school and community-based programmes and initiatives. Over the last two seasons we have worked tirelessly with all those that contribute to our charity to develop a new four year strategy and business plan, and implement a new and revitalised way of working.
Saints Foundation
Saints Foundation is the charity of Southampton Football Club – we’re the club’s way of giving back. We use the power and passion of the club to transform lives in and around Southampton, helping people fulfil their potential to be more involved, healthier and empowered members of the community. Throughout 2019, we engaged with 7,374 participants through charitable delivery and 10,000 through our coaching programmes. Our youngest participant being 4 years old and the eldest 104, all with a range of abilities. We provide valuable, regular support to build deeper connections for a long-lasting impact.
The following three community objectives focus our work:
Involvement – Achieving a positive place in the community for everyone
Health – Motivating people of all ages to lead a healthy, active life
Empowerment – Inspiring people and giving them the tools to achieve their potential
Slum Ping Pong – International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Foundation
Slum Ping Pong aims to promote positive social change through Table Tennis among children living in the slums of Uganda. The program provides School Fee Support (SFS) to children whose families are unable to cover costs as well as Health Cost Fund (HCF) to assist families in medical expenses. During Saturdays and holiday programs, Slum Ping Pong also provide the children with lunch. Often children in these slum areas may only receive one bun a day.
The organisation has been running for over two years and is now reaching over 200 children every week. These are some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children in Kampala. When the program started, only 2 children were receiving the SFS but it quickly expanded to 8 when the Slum Ping Pong received support from professional table tennis athlete – Sabine Winter. After receiving a grant from the ITTF Foundation and further support from private donors in 2019, Slum Ping Pong is now funding 53 children to attend school. An additional 5 children were selected to receive scholarships to secondary schools because of their talents in table tennis.
West Ham United Football Club
West Ham United’s Players’ Project has been acknowledged as the most ambitious and integrated community programme ever created by a Premier League Club and is delivered in conjunction with the Club’s Foundation.
The focus is on using the power of elite sport and personal storytelling to improve economic impact, social integration, help people overcome barriers and motivate, educate, and inspire people in the community.
This Players’ Project sees each of the men’s, women’s and Academy players acting as ambassadors for an area of community outreach which is important to them personally, to create life-changing experiences which bring hope, inspire change and deliver opportunities.
At the one year anniversary event in November 2019, West Ham United committed to increase its commitment over the next two years and will invest a further £10m, an increase of £5m on its initial pledge, giving a forecasted investment of £28m by the end of 2021.
The Club delivers over 35 community programmes across health, learning, employability, sport and football development – engaging up to 50,000 participants every year.
