A welcome £10,000 kick-off!

Bloomsbury Football Foundation have shared that 99 children living with disabilities were able to access sport designed around their needs across eight weekly sessions last year thanks to the £10,000 grant they received made possible by players of The Health Lottery.

Their pan-disability programme continues to grow, including a strong partnership with the Royal Society for Blind Children. 

They recently hosted an annual Blind and Partially Sighted Festival, bringing together young people living with visual impairment from London and beyond for a day of sport, community, and confidence-building. 

The Royal Society for Blind Children said:

“Bloomsbury Football Foundation are fast becoming leaders in the field of blind and partially sighted football in London ... They build the fitness and confidence of the young people and create an inclusive environment where our young people have been allowed to flourish.” 

A coach from Bloomsbury Football Foundation added:

“Over the last twelve months, it has been remarkable and encouraging to witness the growth and development of our Blind and Visually Impaired Football Programme. We have seen clear progress in the young people involved not only in their footballing ability but also in their social skills, general coordination, and ability to master and undertake more complex tasks. This is exemplified by two individuals: Ben and Yussuf. When Yussuf first joined our blind and V.I. sessions, he displayed difficulties with ball manipulation and coordination. Over time, he has developed into a talented footballer with a promising future in the game. In Ben’s case, his continued drive for knowledge and development is staggering. His resilience, curiosity, and joyous approach to football and life underpins what our Blind and V.I. project is all about.”

Funds for health and wellbeing charities and projects raised by our players are allocated by The Health Lottery Foundation.