Social mobility and charitable initiative Football For Change (FFC) has released more than £300,000 in grants for its first round of 2024 funding.

Organisations which support young people to build better futures through education, employment and sport were eligible to apply for grants of up to £10,000.

A total of 16 recipients based in Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester have been allocated funding, including Formby Community Football Club, The Big Trust, Wirral Youth Zone and The Inclusive Hub.

Launched in 2021 by Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jamie Carragher, Conor Coady, and public relations executive Dan Hughes, FFC has been backed by the likes of Real Madrid megastar Jude Bellingham as well as Gary Neville, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Peter Crouch and Beth Mead. David Beckham, Lionel Messi, Dua Lipa and others have also helped raise funds.

FFC brings together sports stars and business leaders to help NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) young people find education and employment opportunities, as well as helping others from underprivileged communities achieve their full potential. The organisation also supports young people who may have been affected by crime, helping them turn their lives around.

The social mobility initiative has raised over £1.1 million since its formation and released over £150,000 in grants to organisations and charities across the country in 2023, including the Liverpool FC Foundation, Everton in the Community and Dame Kelly Holmes Trust.

Since its formation, FFC has sent more than 100 disadvantaged young people to the United States of America for a month-long sports and education retreat. It has also partnered with the Celtic Foundation to support young people growing up in poverty in Glasgow, and has worked with the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust to fund opportunities for young women and girls.

Jamie Carragher, FFC chairman, says: “This new round of funding will help continue to make a positive impact and change the lives of young people facing barriers to achieving their potential.

“This is another major moment for Football For Change and shows the power of footballers and business leaders coming together to provide opportunities to those who need a bit of help in life.”

Trent Alexander-Arnold adds: “Football For Change is about helping young people onto a positive path.

“It is footballers and business leaders coming together with a goal to help improve the life chances and opportunities of young people from some of the most challenged communities in the country. It is a brilliant initiative and is needed now more than ever.”

Football For Change 2024 funding beneficiaries:

• Apollo Sports Club CIC
• Big Condo Training Academy
• Brunswick Youth and Community Centre
• Community Capacity Builders
• Digital Arts Box CIC
• EPIC Social Care C.I.C.
• FC St Helens Community CIC
• Formby Community Football Club
• Team Oasis
• The Big Trust Limited
• The Inclusive Hub CIC
• Dame Kelly Holmes Trust
• Together Were Stronger CIC
• Wirral Youth Zone
• Believe Achieve CIC
• ReachOut Youth
• Volunteer It Yourself

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