The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Football charity scores £150k to help city’s poor
Soccer Scotland to transform lives with Lynch Centre revamp
A £150,000 revamp of one of Dundee’s oldest sports venues could transform the lives of some of the city’s poorest people.
Charity Street Soccer Scotland is creating a “change centre” after securing the rights to take over the Lynch Centre from Leisure and Culture Dundee.
It will give socially disadvantaged adults and youths access to personal development through sport and other activities.
Street Soccer Scotland’s regional manager for Dundee, David Mackenzie, pictured right with colleagues, said: “Being born and bred in the city, I’m so proud that we can bring this opportunity to my home town.
“This centre will aim to transform lives for the better.”
A£150,000 revamp of one of Dundee’s oldest sports venues could transform the lives of some of the city’s poorest people.
Charity Street Soccer Scotland has secured the rights to take over the Lynch Sports Centre building from Leisure and Culture Dundee and create a “change centre”.
It will focus on creating opportunities for socially disadvantaged youngsters and adults, and those from deprived areas.
The renovation will focus initially on the office suite area, which will be transformed into an area where the charity can provide advice, support, and education to players.
Over time, an ambitious longer-term plan will see the centre’s two large sports halls, internal gym, viewing gallery and changing facilities also upgraded.
Funding comes from the Scottish Government’s Social Innovation Partnership, The Hunter Foundation and The Northwood Charitable Trust.
David Mackenzie, Dundee regional manager for Street Soccer Scotland, says he has hugely ambitious plans to make a difference in the city.
He said: “Being born and bred in the city, I’m so proud that we can bring this opportunity to my home town.
“This centre will aim to transform lives for the better and develop new skill sets for people to reinvent themselves.
“It will offer hope, relationships and purpose, but much more than that, by being at the heart of the local community, it’ll break away some of the misconceptions and stigma around social disadvantage by bringing people together through a range of different activities.”
The project is in the same vein as the hugely successful Showcase the Street initiative in Stobswell, which has helped children struggling with poverty and social problems.
The Lynch Centre will be available for use by locals and bosses plan to open the premises to their partners.
This includes supporting people facing disadvantage, such as providing a base for expert advisers to support those struggling with money issues, welfare or housing.
Mr Mackenzie added:
“We want to be part of the community, working with people and a wide range of partners to build trust and understanding to achieve positive change in all our target groups.
“We want to provide security and a positive structure, not just to our players but members of the wider community too – some of whom may be facing similar issues.”
Sinclair Aitken, chairman of Leisure and Culture Dundee, said: “Street Soccer Scotland is such an inspirational organisation and we are really pleased at how our initial partnership has developed over the last few years.
“We have supported them every step of the way in Dundee and it’s fantastic to see the energy they put in through their programmes bring positive change to people’s lives.”
Founded in 2009, Street Soccer Scotland uses football-inspired training and personal development as a medium to empower people.
Liverpool and Scotland star Andy Robertson recently became an ambassador for the charity.