Street Soccer Scotland reveals amazing impact of its prisons programme

A key member of the Alliance of Sport working across Scotland has revealed how participants are nine times less likely to become involved in the Criminal Justice System after joining its programmes.

Street Soccer Scotland’s Prisons Programme works to build links inside and outside of prisons to improve wellbeing and reduce re-offending.

Designed and delivered by staff with lived experience (67% of its delivery staff have lived experience), the structured scheme supports groups inside partner prisons and creates links post-release for players to access Adult Drop-In Programmes on the outside.

TRANSFERABLE

Football-themed SCQF (Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework) qualifications are delivered to both men and women, focusing on building transferable life skills and self-esteem to best prepare players for release.

Andy Hook, Head of Programmes for the charity, explained: “Working closely with prison staff, we are able to positively impact behaviour on the wings – selected players must be off report for three months prior to joining the programme – and the wellbeing of players on the course.

“We build positive relationships with players inside, working in groups and one-to-one to address key themes or skills through a combination of non-traditional classroom activity and football.”

Andy added: “Our accredited Level 5 SCQF ‘Delivering a Street Soccer Event as a Team’ focuses on key skills such as communication, team work and leadership which are covered in relation to the course, football and players’ lives.

“The programme is fully accessible even for players with low literacy skills, providing access to education across the board. The qualification culminates in an event put on by the players for other prisoners or staff, all organised by themselves – a meal, activity or tournament.”

As players become due for release, the charity supports them to access support from Street Soccer and its partners outside of prison, and encourages them to attend one of its 60-plus sessions per week across Scotland.

INVOLVED

According to an annual census of players conducted by Wassermans and commissioned by the charity, participants are nine times less likely to be involved in criminal justice after joining Street Soccer Scotland’s programmes.

One participant on the programme commented: “A year ago, I had decided I wasn’t going to come out of prison and I would re-offend to stay in. I had no hope until Street Soccer came along and gave me something to hold onto.”

Another added: “What Street Soccer are doing and providing for the prisoners is fantastic, I wish it was here years ago as I might not still be inside.”

To find out more visit streetsoccerscotland.org or contact andy@streetsoccerscotland.org