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November 12, 2021
To support socially disadvantaged adults and youth, Street Soccer Scotland has transformed the former Lynch Sports Centre in Dundee into the Change Centre. The concept for the community space was originally conceived in 2017 with the goal of assist those struggling with issues around substance abuse, mental health, homelessness, loneliness and isolation.
Since 2009, the charity has been delivering football-themed personal development programmes across Scotland at third party venues. The Change Centre was developed to provide a full-time home for its players and partners following numerous studies and research workshops on what works best to address social challenges. The Change Centre now is fully equipped to tackle these issues and become ‘a home for everyone’.
The pitch is also available for booking. It is the only indoor 7-a-side surface in the city, which is particularly welcome during the winter months.
“It’s called the Change Centre and this place has changed my life,” said Mark Inglis who struggled with the isolation of lockdown last year. He credits the centre and men’s mental health support group Andy’s Man’s Club for saving his life.
Inglis joined the football programme at the Change Centre as a player, but he now volunteers to help others. Those benefitting from the Street Soccer programmes, volunteers to help with the redevelopment of the former Lynch Sports Centre.
“Any of us could find ourselves homeless, could find ourselves losing our job, turning to coping mechanisms such as looking at addiction to help manage some of the emotion we are experiencing,” said Kyle Fraser, programme coordinator at the centre.
“It could happen to anyone and it’s important to raise awareness of that. And when people are being stigmatised for it, it’s about saying ‘no, look at people’s backstories before you start judging’.”
Street Soccer Scotland beneficiaries volunteered to help with the redevelopment of the former Lynch Sports Centre, with many picking up paint brushes and doing gardening jobs in support. The charity has hopes to set up similar venues in other cities across Scotland. The charity is also part of the Sure Breaking Limits Programme partnership, which celebrates and promotes the physical, mental and social benefits of movement.
Source: STV News, Street Soccer Scotland
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