Football event brings people together from across two counties

Players and organisers of the Solo Housing football tournament, for the Homeless and Recovery services, held in Nowton Park, Bury St Edmunds on Friday August 24, 2018 (Image: Solo Housing)

The 6-a-side football tournament, organised by Solo Housing and Genesis Notting Hill Housing, took place on Friday August 24, 2018.

The day was organised to involve organisations in Norfolk and Suffolk working with single people in recovery from substance misuse, including organisations who provide accommodation and support to help people rebuild their lives and combat their addictions.

The event was held not only to promote homelessness and recovery services and the fantastic work they do across Norfolk and Suffolk, but it was also an amazing and enjoyable day out for all of the service users who got involved, helping to build their confidence and well-being.

The tournament was supported by the Suffolk Recovery Grant Scheme and the event coincides with Recovery Month.

Recovery is defined as freedom from drug and/ or alcohol dependency and every step taken to gain that freedom including; drug and alcohol treatment services, counselling and group activities, gaining training and employment, and building social networks. Taking part in events such as the football tournament provides the opportunity get involved in sport and meet new people for the many single people within the recovery programme.

Twelve local organisations and 140 people were involved on the day.

The 12 teams included services from the homelessness sector, drug and alcohol, mental health and the police.

The Mayor of St Edmundsbury, councillor Margaret Marks also attended and presented the trophies at the end of the day. The overall tournament winners were Body Matters and the runners up were Christchurch. The winners of the Andy Banham memorial prize for displaying the best team spirit were Ipswich Housing Action Group.

Carolyn Howell MBE, CEO of Solo Housing said: “We had another fantastic day of 6-a-side football, it was great to see 12 teams all taking part in a day of sport, fun and food in the lovely setting of Nowton Park. Congratulations to the winning team Body Matters & a very big thank you to all the staff, in particular Carl and Bruce who organised the event and all the residents who played football or got involved in other ways to make the day so successful. We hope to put on another event next year building on this success.”