The UEFA Foundation for Children has selected Richmond Foundation as an award winner together with other organisations across 19 European countries.
Richmond Foundation was nominated for the award by the Malta Football Association and the two entities will be working closely on the implementation of a 12-month programme to promote inclusion and mental wellbeing through sport.
The programme will include the participation of National Team members and sports personalities to help promote inclusion to a wider audience.
Stephania Dimech Sant, CEO of Richmond Foundation said: “There has never been a more important time to focus on the mental wellbeing of our children, particularly those who struggle with social interaction.
The “Being There” project with the Malta Football Association will offer these children special focused attention in an inclusive and fun environment. This inclusion and community aspect is really important for us across our services as we help people across the islands with improving their mental health.
“The past year has been particularly difficult, but it is encouraging to see how the NGO partners have been able to adapt and innovate to support the growing number of children in need because of this pandemic”, says UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.
“We are pleased to be able to support 19 additional organisations in Europe through the 2021 UEFA Foundation for Children award.”
“This award is an important recognition of the work the Malta Football Association carries out through its Football Social Responsibility projects, to include all and engage all regardless of gender, ability, race, age and religion”, says Dr Angelo Chetcuti, General Secretary of the Malta Football Association.
“This is the second time the Malta Football Association has been successful in its nomination of a local organisation for the UEFA Foundation for Children Award. ‘Being There’ is a project we hope will engage a good number of children in football and above all fun”.
The Football Social Responsibility projects of the Malta FA has over the years left an impact on local communities with a number of projects from social-integration, to ability networking, to environmental issues, to gender equality, awareness campaigns on a national scale and collaborations with a number of agencies, institutions, NGOs, foundations, educational bodies and of course local football clubs.
The Malta FA has become a point of reference for national campaigns on social inclusion.
Programme details will be announced shortly.
Through the project, all coaches, trainers, players and other staff participating will also receive certified “Mental Health First Aid” training by Richmond.