Everton in the Community won a prestigious double at the Armstrong Project North West Football Awards, reinforcing its position as a premier Premier League Community Scheme.
Everton Football Club’s official charity defeated stiff competition to win Community Club of the Season, Premier League, and Community Initiative of the Season for its Blue Base Pantry scheme, which has provided discounted food and other key wraparound services to over 26,000 local residents.
Everton in the Community was crowned ‘Community Club of the Year’ for the second year in a row in front of a packed-out event at Emirates Old Trafford, which saw clubs from across the North West come together to celebrate the best of football both on and off the pitch over the last year.
The charity was recognised for its life-changing impact over the past year, with highlights including the launch of The People’s Place, the region’s first mental health and wellbeing hub, and the completion of a £13 million regeneration of a key part of L4.
In addition, EitC has expanded its support for people with long-term physical health conditions, and a new children’s mental health programme for those bereaved by suicide or self-inflicted death, as well as a dedicated programme to assist females with the transition back to civilian life, have all been launched in the last year.
The Blue Base Pantry, which was launched in the summer of 2022, is a member-run initiative that aims to combat poverty in all of its forms. The pantry, which is located in one of the most deprived wards in the UK, serves over 100 L4 residents each week, assisting them in navigating the cost of living crisis and the social challenges that come with it.
Despite only being in operation for 18 months, the pantry has grown to become the third busiest ‘Your Local Pantry’ in the UK and was recently cited as an example of best practise in the UK Parliament’s DEFRA Food Security Reports.
Collecting the award on the night, Sue Gregory, CEO at Everton in the Community said:
“The North West Football Awards were yet another night where everybody associated with Everton in the Community can be extremely proud.
“To win the Community Club of the Season is a significant achievement in itself, but to win the award for the second year in a row is testament to our ongoing commitment to supporting and empowering our communities through our life-changing work.
“Our 60+ programmes and initiatives are driven by our incredible workforce of staff and volunteers who are dedicated to making a significant impact on every single participant they come into contact with. They are at the heart of our impact and everything that we do.”
Everton in the Community has recently launched a five-year strategy to build stronger communities and brighter futures, following another award-winning year for the charity.
The Trinity project will see EitC wage a never-ending battle against poverty, inequality, and health disparities, paving the way for a brighter future by empowering thousands of residents to achieve meaningful work, better health, enriched lives, and lifelong learning.
To find out more about the Trinity Project and what the next five years hold for Everton in the Community click here.
READ MORE: EVERTON IN THE COMMUNITY’S BLUE BASE PANTRY FEEDS ALMOST 18,000 PEOPLE
