Changing lives and tackling homelessness at new Street Soccer hub

Louise has volunteered with the charity for nearly three years

A charity said it plans to create a hub to "change people's lives" in one of Belfast's unused buildings.

Street Soccer NI has found a new home at the old Ulster Bank building on Shaftesbury Square.

The charity uses football and sports programmes to tackle homelessness, unemployment, addiction and mental health issues across Northern Ireland.

Louise from west Belfast, who first used the service in 2018 when she and her children were homeless, said Street Soccer "is the reason I am still here".

'I can relate to them'

Louise was living in a hostel with three of her children when she saw a flyer advertising the charity.

She said weekly women's football sessions provide her with a break from reality and time for herself.

Louise described the difference in her life as "night and day".

"I suffer [with] really bad anxiety, I used to get up and get my children ready for school, come home and get back into bed again. I was afraid to do anything."

Since attending the weekly programmes, she says meeting new people has became easier.

Now a full time volunteer, Louise said she feels "productive" helping others in the same way she was.

"It is all walks of life, different backgrounds, people of all races and religions, you're getting to hear all types of stories and, because I've been through so much in my life, I can relate to them and show them it can all change."

'Keeping some people alive'

Justin McMinn set up the charity in 2010

Street Soccer NI co-founder Justin McMinn said expanding the charity and creating a social enterprise is the plan for the new hub.

He said 200 people a week use the charity's projects in Belfast, Londonderry, Coleraine and Downpatrick but they wanted to increase this impact.

As well as weekly men and women's football sessions, the charity offers housing support, employability education including an employment mentor, mental health and addiction support and English classes for refugees.

"Whatever people ask us for, we will try and do it," Mr McMinn said.

This is a year-round project, he explained.

"We don't want to shut down our projects during the holidays, for many people this is the highlight of the week, it's the structure, it's the routine. We know we're literally keeping some people alive."

The new hub is on Shaftesbury Square in south Belfast

"We've lost some people through suicide over the last few years and Covid, especially when our programmes were cancelled, we lost a few people," Mr McMinn added.

"We don't know how many people we're keeping alive just by keeping these programmes going every single week but people can come and access support, meet their friends and if they are struggling, they can get help."

However, funding year-round projects can be a challenge.

"This is why we thought we need to develop social enterprise," he said.

Street Move is a 'man with a van' removal service supporting people with house and office moves, deliveries and house clearances, which also runs a second-hand furniture and clothes shop.

Street Store is a shop selling new electrical appliances and beds at affordable prices.

Both of these projects will be based in the new hub.

"I just want to be involved in changing peoples lives, saving lives and having an impact in my city. We can offer a lot more being here, it's going to be a big help for this area."

'Down that rabbit hole'

Wilbur now works part time for the charity having experienced homelessness in the past

Wilbur, who was homeless when he was released from prison about 18 months ago, now works for the charity.

He hopes the new centre will encourage more people to come in and turn their lives around.

"This is an amazing space, there is such a vision for it. I would urge anyone who needs help to come," he said.

"I would've been on the streets and down that rabbit hole if it wasn't for Street Soccer, and it's hard to get out of that hole if you're there, every service is stretched to the limit, but anyone who walks in these doors will get help."

Wilbur hosts football sessions throughout the week.

"When I was in the homeless hostel, there was heroin and crack cocaine, there were 12 beds and I'd say eight of them were taking drugs and I would have been one of them if it wasn't for Street Soccer," he said.

"That's why I help people now - it could've been me, in fact it was me, it feels amazing to be that support for people.

"It is a great privilege to be here, it has given me hope and drive for my life."