The Everton in the Community Showcase returned to Finch Farm this week, with first-team manager David Moyes and his squad spending the afternoon discovering more about the inspirational work of the Club’s official charity.
Now in its seventh year, the Showcase gives the Blues stars the chance to get hands-on with some of the charity’s flagship programmes and meet the participants whose lives are being transformed by its work, kicking off the excitement ahead of EitC’s Community Day at Hill Dickinson Stadium this weekend.
This year’s Showcase shone a spotlight on four of the charity’s 60+ life-changing programmes, including Tackling the Blues and Stand Together, both funded by the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association.
Participants from Tackling the Blues, which supports children and young people facing mental health challenges, got stuck into a wellbeing obstacle course with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Seamus Coleman, Beto, Charly Alcaraz, Adam Aznou and Jake O’Brien before reflecting together on signs of worry and anxiety and discussing athletes who have spoken openly about their own struggles.
Meanwhile, James Tarkowski, Vitalii Mykolenko, James Garner, Tom King, Harrison Armstrong and Tyrique George put their backgammon moves to the test when they joined older participants from EitC’s Stand Together programme for a range of table-top games, including chess, draughts, dominoes and cards. Stand Together is a twice-weekly programme for anyone aged 65+ who may be experiencing loneliness or social isolation.
Michael Keane, Dwight McNeil, Tim Iroegbunam, Mark Travers, Tyler Dibling and Merlin Rohl found out more about the charity’s Premier League Inspires programme, which supports secondary school pupils facing educational barriers, and took part in mini team challenges designed to build confidence, resilience and communication skills, including a coding activity and an active literacy task.
And lastly, Jordan Pickford, Iliman Ndiaye, Idrissa Gueye, Nathan Patterson, Thierno Barry and Jarrad Branthwaite joined participants from EitC’s Interventions programme for a series of energetic activities designed to break down barriers, including a wheelbarrow race and a giant gutter ball challenge. Funded by Merseyside Police, Interventions provides targeted support for young people who are disengaged from education or at risk of exclusion, exploitation or criminal involvement.
Reflecting on a special Showcase, EitC CEO Sue Gregory said: “What a brilliant afternoon bringing everyone together at Finch Farm and seeing our manager and first-team players getting stuck in alongside our staff and participants. The smiles, laughter and energy throughout the day have been wonderful, and it’s been a joy to see everyone enjoying themselves so much.
“I’d like to thank the manager and players for giving up their time so generously. The difference they make to our participants is remarkable, creating memories they will treasure and helping to shine a spotlight on the impactful work we do across Liverpool.”
Everton midfielder, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall added: “It’s been a great afternoon meeting some of the people who are helped by Everton in the Community and seeing first-hand the impact the charity has on so many lives.”
Established in 1988, Everton in the Community is the official charity of Everton Football Club and harnesses the unifying power of football to drive social change and address societal challenges across Merseyside.
The charity has been delivering award-winning, life-changing and life-saving provision to those most in need across the Liverpool City Region for 38 years, and EitC will be the focus of the Blues’ matchday theme for their home Premier League fixture with Chelsea this weekend.
If you’d like to support the charity’s work, click here to donate.