BUSINESS LEADERS UNITE TO ATTEND GILLINGHAM FC FOR 1ST EVER SLEEPOUT EVENT

The nationally acclaimed Kent-based charity, The Street Soccer Foundation, is to host the first ever Sleep Out event to take place at the home of Gillingham FC.

On Saturday 30^th June 2018 from 7pm, a number of business leaders from across the County will each be giving up their bed for a sleeping bag, to sleep under the stars at Priestfield Stadium.

The Street Soccer Foundation supports young homeless people and those at risk through the delivery of its Street Soccer Academy: a development programme that improves participants’ health and well-being, confidence and self-belief system; and ultimately aims to help move individuals into what they term a ‘progressive pathway’: either work, education or further training.

The purpose of the inaugural Sleep Out event is to bring the local business community together to help understand some of the realities that young homeless people in Kent face.

CEO & Founder of The Street Soccer Foundation, Keith Mabbutt, said:

“We’re asking the Kent business community to give up just one night of comfort to help us raise the profile of rough sleeping across the County. This is about uniting the world of Kent business to come together to help those less fortunate, whilst being able to create new and exciting relationships with other businesses in attendance on the night.”

Sadly, homelessness in the County is on the rise and in the South East alone there are now an estimated 28,000 homeless individuals.

Mabbutt added: “A recent independently commissioned Social Value Report conducted on the work of The Street Soccer Foundation over this past season revealed we are generating up to £8 in social value for every £1 invested, demonstrating the impact our programme is making. We simply want to do more.”

Statistically, 1 in 3 homeless young people will attempt suicide and up to half of all homeless young people have no qualifications.

Kevin Tewis-Allen, Chief Marketing Officer for the Foundation, said:

“Our mission is to create a network of young people who significantly benefit from our development programmes.  We want to ensure that young people can find a home to live in, become employable, engage in new communities, become more active and provide our Foundation with real-life case studies that celebrate positive change.”

Along with the CEO of Gillingham FC Community Trust, the Sleepout event is also being attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Medway and the Sports Minister, Tracey Crouch MP. It promises to be an event not to be missed!

Sign up now for free by visiting: www.streetsoccersleepout.org.uk

Together, Changing Lives through Football.