Two Foyer residents to report on this year’s Homeless World Cup
Posted by Foyer Federation - 20/07/2007
Two Foyer residents have been chosen to report on this year’s Homeless World football tournament in Copenhagen from 28 July to 5 August, thanks to funding from the electrical retailer dixons.co.uk.
David Gillespie from Cumbernauld YMCA Foyer in Scotland and Natalie Jane Teese from Eastbourne Foyer will be traveling to Copenhagen to report for BBC Sport and the official Homeless World Cup website, capturing the life stories of people involved in the Homeless World Cup. David is currently undertaking a three year degree in Multimedia Studies and Natalie has just finished a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts and is currently applying to university. David Gillespie, age 24, said: “I really hope I can make the most of this opportunity. I want to take away an invaluable experience that will help me in later life and in my career”. Natalie Jane Teese, age 20, said: "I am very excited to be part of this project and very flattered that I was chosen. I’m looking forward to helping raise awareness about homelessness and embracing new experiences." David and Natalie took part in a selection process open to young people living in all UK Foyers. Eight young people were shortlisted and took part in a selection day in London during July. Clare Brine, Community Affairs Manager of DSG International, owners of dixons.co.uk, said: “Dixon staff has fundraised to support this initiative and we’re looking forward to following David and Natalie’s progress in Denmark.” Notes to Editors: Foyer gives a voice to over 130 local Foyers across the UK, and to the 10,000 disadvantaged young people with whom they work each year. It provides a forum for sharing best practice and accessing funding, training and a range of support, while the Foyer Accreditation Scheme ensures the quality and consistency of Foyer services. See www.foyer.net for further details. The Homeless World Cup takes place in Copenhagen, Denmark from 29 July to 4 August2007. 500 players from 48 countries will take part in a Street Soccer tournament played in the Town Hall Square, in the centre of Copenhagen. David Gillespie and Natalie Jane Teese will be reporting for the official Homeless World Cup website: http://www.homelessworldcup.org/ and BBC Sport. DSG International staff, who have been trained in lifecoaching as part of the DSGI staff management programme, will be supporting David and Natalie before and after they travel to Copenhagen. They will work with them on identifying their goals and aspirations for the tournament, and on how it can help them in the future. Dixons.co.uk is part of DSG International which is supporting Foyer over three years as part of the Switched on Communities programme. DSG international has invested in communities for many years. In July 2006 DSGI launched its Switched on Communities Campaign which aims to provide technology and training to disadvantaged communities. The campaign is part of a wider Corporate Responsibility programme, which covers environment, workplace and marketplace policies (including supply chain). The Foyer Federation is one of four national DSG partners. www.dsgiplc.com/corporateresponsibility. For further information or pictures please contact Sophie Livingstone, Head of Policy and Communications, on 020 7430 2212 or Sophie@foyer.net
