New funding to help L4 and South Sefton youth

Everton in the Community (EitC) has secured multimillion-pound funding from the Steve Morgan Foundation to tackle social deprivation and inequalities that often hinder young people from getting the best start in life.

The charitable arm of Everton Football Club has been working with the Steve Morgan Foundation since 2020, and will use the funding to deliver the early intervention programmes in Liverpool 4 and South Sefton. The two have delivered the ‘Steve Morgan Impact Model’ in Speke-Garston to protect young people from exploitation and inspired them to reach their full potential.

In the last three years more than 13, 500 individuals have been supported, resulting in significant improvements in mental wellbeing, developments in skills and knowledge, and increases in attendance and engagement in school. 

Everton in the Community’s delivery of the Impact Model in South Liverpool has also contributed to wider school and community changes, such as improved Ofsted ratings in two of the three high schools it works in, improved literary scores and declining anti-social behaviour trends in an area where 40% of young people aged 16+ have no qualifications and 40% of children live in poverty. 

And it is thanks to the significant impact of its work in Speke-Garston as to why Everton in the Community and the Steve Morgan Foundation are keen to roll out the Impact Model in Liverpool 4 and South Sefton to nurture aspirations for a brighter tomorrow.  

The new three-year multi-million-pound funding will see EitC work in primary and secondary schools in the area to deliver the ‘Steve Morgan Impact Model’ to elevate academic achievements, prevent anti-social behaviour and vulnerability to gangs, improve physical and mental wellbeing, develop work and life skills, and boost confidence and self-esteem.  

In Liverpool 4. 33% of children live in absolute low-income households – twice the national average – whilst over 30% of the working-age population in South Sefton rely on benefits, again, twice the national average. 

The prospects of young people leaving school with positive development or achieving standard educational outcomes are low with the pandemic having a significant impact on the mental health and physical wellbeing of young people as well seeing as an increase in anti-social behaviour and the exploitation of vulnerable youth by gangs.  

Thanks to the funding received from the Steve Morgan Foundation, the independently financed and independently-governed charitable arm of Everton Football Club will deliver targeted interventions in identified high schools and primary schools across Liverpool 4 and South Sefton to overcome these issues as well as tackling inadequate provision for students with special educational needs and disabilities, struggling literacy skills, negative behaviour and attitudes and limited access to enrichment opportunities. 

Over three years, charity staff will work in four identified high schools and nine primary schools to support thousands of young people at a crucial stage in their education journey and deliver personal, social and health education as well as provide access to a range of after-school activities, career and pathway programmes, one-on-one mentoring, social action projects, pastoral support, literacy and numeracy initiatives and much more with the aim of improving attendance rates, enhancing SEND provision, fostering positive behaviour and increasing access to diverse enrichment opportunities.  

Everton in the Community will also provide wrap-around support to families of children connected to the Steve Morgan Impact Model and provide employment support, pathways into the charity’s new ADHD screen service as well as specialist mental health support and welfare and benefit advice.  

Sue Gregory, CEO of Everton in the Community, said: “The areas of Liverpool 4 and South Sefton are home to some of the most deprived communities in the country where our research has shown that socio-economic challenges severely impact education. The aftermath of the pandemic hit these communities harder than most, leaving young people vulnerable and in desperate need of support.  

“Thanks to this significant funding from Steve Morgan Foundation, we are able to deliver immediate and decisive interventions in these areas to prevent them succumbing to a life of crime and help them achieve a good education and subsequent employment. 

“Our vision is to create systematic change in the Liverpool 4 and South Sefton communities by investing in youth and offering vital support to their families. We believe that the Steve Morgan Impact Model will continue to serve as a pioneering model of place-based change and a flagship programme for transforming communities as we work together to build a better future for our young people.”

Liam Eaglestone, CEO of the Steve Morgan Foundation, added: “We have been proud to work with Everton in the Community since 2019 and we are delighted to provide our practical support and financial backing for the expansion of the Steve Morgan Impact Model into Liverpool 4 and South Sefton.   

“The Impact Model was originally inspired by Steve Morgan’s desire to give back to the community in which he grew up and our partnership with Everton in the Community highlights the Foundation’s approach to providing long-term secure funding, underpinned by very practical support and expertise. We are thrilled that the Impact Model will now have the potential to change the trajectories of thousands more young lives in our region. 

The Steve Morgan Foundation also provided significant funding and support for the development of The People’s Place – Everton in the Community’s purpose-built mental health and wellbeing hub and the first such initiative by any Premier League club. 

The People’s Place helps transform lives by providing access to mental health support to all, regardless of their age, gender or football allegiances.  

Established in 2001, the Steve Morgan Foundation works to support projects that help children and families, people with physical or learning disabilities, the elderly or those that are socially disadvantaged in North Wales, Merseyside and Cheshire. Founded by Steve Morgan CBE, the charity has awarded more than 2.300 grants, supported nearly four million individuals and committed assets of £300 million since 2001.