The FA Community Shield continues to create a positive legacy far beyond the pitch, with proceeds from the fixture supporting community organisations across the country.
In Staffordshire, where The FA’s St. George’s Park National Football Centre is based, Community Shield funding has supported the work of Burton Hope and Burton Albion Community Trust. Both organisations are making a significant difference locally, providing practical support to people experiencing hardship, improving mental wellbeing and creating positive opportunities for children and young people.
Burton Hope
Community Shield funding has supported Burton Hope through an important period of growth and transition.
Following the loss of its previous premises, the charity relocated to HOPE House, securing a 10-year lease and transforming an empty 2,600 sq ft property into a thriving community hub. The new facility includes a food bank, clothes bank, counselling rooms, training spaces and accessible facilities, enabling the charity to provide a wide range of support from one location.
Community Shield funding contributed towards the charity’s relocation, development of the new facility, food provision, volunteer training and the ongoing delivery of its services.
Supported by around 120 volunteers, Burton Hope now helps approximately 500 people each week. Its services include food and clothing support, counselling, budgeting advice, life coaching and practical assistance for people experiencing challenges including poverty, homelessness, debt, addiction and poor mental health.
Burton Albion Community Trust
Community Shield funding has also helped Burton Albion Community Trust deliver programmes that improve wellbeing, address local social issues and create positive opportunities for people across the community.
The Trust’s Mental Health Football programme engaged 120 participants through nine regular sessions delivered in partnership with local organisations. Combining physical activity with peer support and opportunities for social connection, the programme helps participants improve their mental wellbeing, resilience, self-esteem and sense of belonging.
Funding also supported Virtual Decisions: Caring About Consequences, an innovative programme using virtual reality, creative workshops and mentoring to help young people understand the consequences of knife crime and criminal exploitation. Alongside targeted mentoring for young people identified as being at greater risk, more than 120 young people took part in awareness workshops delivered with local policing teams.
During the summer, the Trust also delivered its Community Play in the Park programme. Working with a range of local partners, 65 free sessions took place across 10 locations, engaging more than 1,800 young people in activities designed to encourage physical activity, social connection and positive engagement within their communities.
Creating a Lasting Community Impact
The work of Burton Hope and Burton Albion Community Trust demonstrates how the legacy of the Community Shield extends well beyond matchday. From helping people through times of crisis and enabling charities to build sustainable community spaces, to supporting mental wellbeing and creating safe, positive opportunities for young people, proceeds from the Community Shield are helping local organisations respond directly to the needs of their communities.
In Burton, that investment is helping to strengthen organisations, extend their reach and create a lasting impact for thousands of local people.
