Football stars show support in tackling homelessness

Football heroes Jeremy Doku and Danny Murphy cheer on teams at tournament tackling homelessness

An annual football tournament raising awareness of homelessness kicked off its 15th year with support from Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku and ex-pro Danny Murphy. 

Also backed by Pep Guardiola’s family charity, Guardiola Sala Foundation (GSF), The Salvation Army’s football tournament, The Partnership Trophy, tackles the root causes of homelessness and provides participants with opportunities to change their lives. 

Pep Guardiola has been involved in the Partnership Trophy since he attended the event in 2019. Laura Guerra, Director of Guardiola Sala Foundation said: “The GSF are delighted to have been part of this wonderful event for the past eight years. It is a real privilege to see the positive impact this special day has on everyone who takes part, bringing people together and creating such a warm sense of community. We are incredibly grateful to Manchester City for their continued support and for helping to make this special event possible.”

Bringing together more than 30 teams from The Salvation Army’s homelessness services around the United Kingdom, the friendly five-a-side competition boosted morale and improved positive wellbeing and mental health amongst people experiencing homelessness. Founders House Lifehouse (hostel), The Salvation Army’s supported accommodation in London, were the winning team lifting the cup at the end of the competition.

Offering encouragement at the event and cheering teams on from the sidelines were Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku and ex-Liverpool player and sports pundit Danny Murphy. Danny Murphy said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to be part of such a wonderful day organised by The Salvation Army. I have gained a deeper appreciation of the incredible work they do, and it has been inspiring to see so many young men and women come together from across the country. The event has been highly competitive, while also being filled with fun, joy and a wonderful sense of community.”

The annual tournament is one of the many ways that The Salvation Army promotes positive and independent living for its service users, while reinforcing its message that helping people to move on from homelessness is more than just providing a home. 

Teams included people from Salvation Army Lifehouses (hostels), supported housing, outreach programmes and drop-in services who battled for the top spot. The Salvation Army strongly believes in supporting people to tackle the underlying causes to why they became homeless, such as trauma, addiction, mental health problems and wider health and social inequalities to ensure they aren’t trapped in a cycle of rough-sleeping and temporary accommodation.

Nathan Slinn, deputy director of the Homelessness Services Department for The Salvation Army, said: “Once again we have seen another phenomenal event and with appearances from Jeremy Doku and Danny Murphy it has certainly been a tournament to remember and one that we know will have meant so much to the people in our Lifehouses and those who access our services to have been part of. We bring people together with shared experiences to help build relationships and also confidence. The Partnership Trophy is a powerful tool to show value in people which can help support positive change, celebrating who they are and everything that they can be. 

“People with lived or living experience of homelessness often have complex layers of trauma or inequalities that have led to homelessness, and this tournament reinforces our ethos that our services provide so much more than just a roof. Together with our partners, we’re committed to ending the cycle of homelessness and we also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Guardiola Sala Foundation which has once again offered such wonderful support.”

The Salvation Army holds the event every year in partnership with its subsidiary, Salvation Army Homes, which has been part of The Salvation Army family providing housing services since 1959. With over 4,000 homes, providing people in need of safety, security and opportunities with quality accommodation, Salvation Army Homes, together with the church and charity, help people on their journey of personal transformation and out of homelessness. As with Lifehouses and drop-in services, Salvation Army Homes works with a variety of agencies, local authorities and specialist partners around the United Kingdom. 

Every night, The Salvation Army supported accommodation provides a bed for more than 2,500 people across the UK and Ireland who have nowhere else to stay.