Empowering Change Through Sport: Introducing Goods For Good's Sport For Good Initiative

In a ground-breaking stride towards fostering change, Goods For Good is proud to announce the launch of our Sports For Good initiative. Collaborating closely with organisations dedicated to uplifting vulnerable communities, this initiative marks a pivotal step forward in providing access to sports kit and footwear for those in need. By equipping individuals with the means to engage in sport activities, the Sport For Good initiative aims to extend not only physical opportunities but also vital support networks and services that play a transformative role.

Working with organisations who support vulnerable communities we have recently launched the pilot of  which will deliver sports kit and footwear, so those people in need so they have the means to access services and support networks available to them. Over the years, through our partnerships with organisations like UNIQLO, Nike, Puma and Adidas, we've supplied sport kit and footwear to communities in the UK and overseas to enable them to access sport activities. This effort has enabled underprivileged individuals to partake in sports activities that might otherwise be inaccessible to them. From local community football leagues to programs benefiting disadvantaged children, the impact of the delivered goods resonates far beyond the items themselves - these goods have provided more than just providing access to sport. 

The power of sports programs in fostering stable and inclusive communities is immeasurable. Sports programs can create stable and inclusive communities and have the power to create a significant social impact on individuals and communities alike.  The launch of the Sport For Good initiative solidifies our commitment to these transformative ideals. As we stride forward, Goods For Good envisions a world where sport not only enriches lives but also uplifts the human spirit, one community at a time.

What is Sport For Good and how does it help?

It can be hard to understand how much value something as simple as a pair of trainers can have, when clothing and footwear are basics we take for granted. But for many of the people we've helped support, they've provided purpose, hope and healing. That's why we've launched our Sports For Good initiative. Time and time again, sports-based programs have shown to be central to promoting inclusion and creating opportunities for individuals as a means to establish mutual trust and create healthier communities. Sports For Good promotes our three central pillars which aim to: 

1. help poverty-stricken families both in the UK and overseas;
2. improve physical, mental and emotional health;
3. work towards a greener planet.

Working with organisations who support vulnerable communities we will deliver sports kit and footwear, so those people in need have the means to access the services and support networks available to them.

Who is involved?

As part of our pilot we have been working with our partners. including Care4Calais, New Citizen's Gateway (formerly Barnet Refugee Services), Small Acts of Kindness, Herts Young Homeless and Street Games. There is a lot of work underway currently with schools and youth clubs in areas of deprivation to increase physical activity for disadvantaged children including refugees and asylum seekers.  

Most recently we have been working in conjunction with Watford Council and Herts Sports Partnership (HSP) to support their Fit, Fed and Read Programme - and initiative for young people aged 8-11 who receive free school meals - which provides food and activities during the holiday periods.We are looking forward to working more closely with Herts Sports Partnerships over the coming months to support them with the projects and groups they support throughout Hertfordshire, which work to address issues such as poverty, mental health, access to sport for women and girls and rehabilitation programmes for youth offenders.

Who does Sport For Good help?

Our network of charity partners support a range of people including refugees and asylum seekers, the homeless, the elderly, teenage parents, deprived children, people suffering with mental health and vulnerable families and individuals. Below are some of the organisations, programmes and people we've been able to support, so far, through the Sport For Good initiative.

Care4Calais - Sunday Football Training Scheme

Care4Calais' Football Training Scheme takes place every and reaches out, in particular to the younger Asylum Seekers, many who have been victims of trafficking and abuse. Care4Calais have been supporting approximately 120 young Asylum Seekers in Brent and Barnet since June 2020, and 60 families. 

 Covid restrictions and BREXIT mean that their claims have been hugely delayed and they have been forced to isolate in hostel rooms for months and months. Mental Health is very very poor, and even the most motivated have really suffered. The football training scheme has been invaluable invaluable for the mental health of the boys who take part. 

Herts Sport Partnership - Fit Fed & Read Programme

Fit, Fed & Read (FFR) is a holiday activity programme ‐ including support with literacy ‐ in Hertfordshire's most disadvantaged neighbourhoods, which provides a range of cultural, physical and educational activities as well as a hot, nutritious meal, free of charge, for the children who take part.

This Easter we delivered sports kit donated by our corporate partner Nike to the 200 children who took part, many of whom didn't have suitable footwear to take part in the physical activities available to them. Two of the girls at the Hemel FFR, are now looking to join local football opportunities so they ‘can wear their boots’, which may help achieve the ultimate goal of the programme to inspire long-term active lives.

Sport For Good is currently in its pilot phase but it is already having a profound influence, sparking positive shifts in mental, emotional, and physical well-being.  Goods For Good have been working closely with with our network of charity partners to identify communities who would benefit most from this initiative as  we plan to eventually roll out Sport For Good nationally.