We partner with UEFA Women’s EURO 2022!

The UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 tournament will be creating life changing new opportunities for people who access care and support, thanks to a ground-breaking partnership between the tournament’s organisers and Community Integrated Care.

We are delighted to announce that we have teamed up with the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 to deliver a pioneering Inclusive Volunteering programme that is enabling 150 people who require support in their daily lives to live their dreams and gain new life skills.

The programme sees specialists from our charity deliver a range of innovative programmes, inspired by the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, which are designed to develop vocational skills and further independence. With every participant having access to a special opportunity that has been designed around their own personal goals and interests, and having the chance to apply their new skills by volunteering at the tournament, it provides a unique platform to enable people to build independence and aspirations for the future.

Ahead of the tournament, the participants have been enjoying a range of exciting projects, including the sensory activity of soap making – creating special gifts for EURO 2022 stars, and the creation of a cookery club where people are making snacks to support the tournament volunteering teams, whilst gaining a range of culinary skills.

The programme also includes a raft of expert-led training initiatives, including the creation of media and photography training clubs, managed by leading experiences professionals who work in football, and a creativity club with Age Exchange, our subsidiary charity and leading reminiscence arts charity, that sees participants create a range of artworks that will be gifted to players and displayed at games.

The centrepiece of the programme is a unique employability club, where participants are learning about the positive impact that work and volunteering can make on their lives and the fundamental principles of work, inspired by the routines of the England women’s national football team – The Lionesses. From exploring how the players set goals and overcome challenges, to recognising how their football heroes come together as a team, the England stars are providing a powerful inspiration to teach participants about their own potential.

John Hughes, Director of Partnerships and Communities at Communities Integrated Care, says: “UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 will be an iconic event, so we could ask for no better platform to inspire the people we support to explore their talents and develop their skills. We are grateful to the tournament’s organisers for their support of this programme, which will change many lives.

Work and volunteering is central to most people’s lives. It’s where we earn money, build relationships, find purpose, and achieve our personal ambitions. Sadly, however, many people who access care and support face real barriers to finding meaningful opportunities within their communities. We hope that this programme provides many people with the skills, confidence, and direction to go on and find vocational experiences that they love. We believe that this will be a true legacy for the tournament.”

A spokesperson for UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 said:

“We are delighted to be working with Community Integrated Care on this important project which will develop vocational skills and further independence of all those involved.

“This summer’s UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 will be one the most-inclusive, easily accessible major events ever to take place in England. We want to ensure everyone in society gets the chance to be part of it.

“Sport has a great power to bring communities together and we look forward to the team from Community Integrated Care joining our army of 5,000 volunteers across the tournament.”

This programme has been generously funded by Sport England working in partnership with our charity.