The Edinburgh arm of Soccer Scotland has heralded a new initiative that has saw them team up with Places Gym on Leith Walk.
Those using the services of Soccer Scotland - who work to support those facing disadvantage in life or experiencing homelessness by providing football and other sport sessions as a means of physical and mental therapy - will be able to take advantage of free and unlimited access to the facilities at the Places Leisure business.
The hope is that this will people to maintain their physical and mental health in a cost free manner and will also battle bouts of social isolation that many Soccer Scotland members can experience.
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Some of those using the services will be players for the charity organisation ‘Team Afghanistan’ which is made up of players that are refugees and asylum seekers from the Central Asian country.
Alongside them will be people, young and old, who are living in either hostels, supported accommodation or on the streets as well as those battling addiction, experiencing unemployment amongst other backgrounds.
Robbie Wood, Street Soccer’s programme manager for Edinburgh, said: “The reaction from the players when we told them they would have access to the gym was one of complete surprise, and then real excitement.
“We talk a lot about the benefit of fitness on not only physical health, but mental health too, so the offer from Places Gym is greatly appreciated.
“The gym is extremely accessible for many of our players in the community and they can’t wait to start using all of the equipment, the benefits of which we expect to see on and off the pitch.”
Robbie Wood added: “Many of our players face social isolation, so getting out of the house and trying something new can be a big step.
“The gym has been incredibly supportive so far, from offering our single-parent families the chance to bring their children with them, to encouraging players to work out together, to giving access to our volunteers who are not only a friendly face for our players, but mentors to many across our community projects.”
Street Soccer Scotland offer free football sessions every week in the North of the capital, with the aim of supporting those suffering social isolation.
Working with thousands of players, Street Soccer aims to provide hope and opportunity to those who are experiencing mental ill-health, homelessness, alcohol or substance misuse, long-term unemployment, additional needs, or those with refugee status.
Paul Sanderson, general manager of Places Gym, said: “Seeing the reaction of the players coming into the gym has been fantastic, and our members have been extremely welcoming. We see the benefit of exercise day in and day out so it’s wonderful to be able to extend the offer to Street Soccer players. We look forward to welcoming them throughout 2023 and working in partnership to support them on their fitness journey.”
The partnership has been put in place to try to encourage and promote both individual and group activity that will look to strengthen the bonds between Street Soccer players, their coaches but more importantly the local community.
Places Gym say they feel it is important to remove barriers for those in the local area and their staff’s effort has been welcomed by Robbie who says they have been both open and welcoming to his players.
You can learn more about Street Soccer here.
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