Foyer Update is a monthly feature contributed by the Foyer Federation and written by Sophie Livingstone, Head of Policy & Communications. The views expressed are those of the author. Email: sophie@foyer.net
Foyers' Residents Represent England in Homeless World Cup
By Sophie Livingstone,
Head of Policy & Communications
Our purpose is to inspire young people. The words of Lord Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Olympic Bid team, could easily form the mission statement of the Foyer Federation and the Foyer network. Indeed, sport already plays a key role in bringing together young people from Foyers and contributing to their development, with some of them achieving at the highest levels, against all the odds.
Foyer residents made up five out of a final squad of eight representing England in the Homeless World Cup street soccer tournament, which took place in Edinburgh. The England Captain, Fernand Bass, lives in Heantun Foyer in Wolverhampton, and the Vice Captain, Craig Philips, at the Salford Foyer.
The team were selected by Manchester United's Football in the Community coaches, following a series of trials where they were assessed on their football skills, teamwork, and attitude. They fought off tough competition from over 100 hopefuls to secure their place in the England squad.
Commenting on the tournament, Sir Alex Ferguson, manager of Manchester United said, The Homeless World Cup is a great event. Each year it demonstrates the powerful impact that football can have on people's lives and we are proud to be working with the England team.
The team will be cheered on by Foyer residents who will be reporting on the Homeless World Cup for the BBC, as part of the Foyer Federation's Tackling Skills project, which helps young people build communication skills through sport reporting.
Four Foyer residents will cover England's progress during the tournament and their match reports will be posted on the BBC Sport website. Their reports can be read at: news.bbc.co.uk.
Activities such as this are in stark contrast to the hoodies and respect debate, which has recently inflamed tensions around the position of young people in society. The Government's Youth Green Paper will contain a section focused on 'places to go and things to do.' This is in response to concerns about young people congregating on street corners, as well to young people's frustration and boredom about a lack of facilities.
The Foyer Federation has been conducting its own research about the facilities and services available to young people. Much of this confirms what we already know. In the words of a Bradford Foyer resident, there's never anything to do – once you're too old for youth clubs, there's nothing to do at all. That's why kids go out and do car crime. It's just something to do.
Another aim of the Green Paper is to look at advice and guidance provision. Foyers aim to fill that gap for young people, providing them with the space to grow and make decisions about their future. In the words of a Brighton Foyer resident, I'd say it's close enough to the [most] perfect opportunity you could have to decide what you want to do with your life.
The Foyer Federation is looking forward to reading the Government's proposals and taking the views of Foyer residents directly to Ministers over the coming months. And, of course, to bringing home the Homeless World Cup trophy for England!
