Darran Martin. Moving forward. First Homeless Rugby session in Regents Park, Autumn 2013.

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2 Contents Moving forward... 3 How it began... 4 Our Mission... 5 Our Vision... 5 Our Values... 5 Where we have come from... 6 The challenge ahead... 7 Tackling the future... 8 Building on our foundations... 9 Worcester pilot... 9 Why act... 9 Why rugby... 9 What s the impact Team... 9 What s the impact Case study... 9 Collaborations and partnerships How you can help

3 Moving forward During the last 12 months since the establishment of Homeless Rugby CIC, we have seen the successful launch of our first project and profound difference made to homeless people. This has been down to the drive and belief of our volunteers, supporters and pilot partners at Worcester Warriors RUFC and Worcester YMCA. However there is still much work to do. By 2016 we want to be delivering a national programme of homeless rugby training and development initiatives across England, engaging professional and armature clubs along with homeless charities. We are planning for a network of 10 teams across England that will become the starting point of our inaugural national competition. With 10 teams across England, we are hoping to have 200 people registered and benefiting from the Homeless Rugby programme and benefiting from a wide range of benefits the rugby family has to offer on and off the pitch. This strategy will look to outline the organisations ambitious new objectives, along with our exciting new vision, mission statement, and the core values that we embody as we move towards achieving our goals. We look forward to working together with all our partners, existing and new, to help #TackleHomelessness and improve the lives of the most vulnerable and hidden in society. Darran Martin Darran Martin Director Homeless Rugby CIC First Homeless Rugby session in Regents Park, Autumn

4 How it began Homeless Rugby CIC was founded in 2013 by Darran Martin. Following the success of football in challenging homelessness with sport, Darran saw the value the rugby community had to offer the most vulnerable in society. In early 2013 the organisation was formed and officially launched in Birmingham, bringing together charities and clubs as potential collaborator as the organisation endeavoured to identify partnerships. Following the launch, Homeless Rugby CIC, Worcester Warriors and Worcester YMCA partnered to devise the first pilot, devising initial targets and identifying the barriers that might be faced as we implemented our first trial. Club coaches, charity staff and centre users warming up together before training, Autumn

5 Our Mission A society free from homelessness. Our Vision To transform the quality of life and opportunities of homeless people, using rugby as a catalyst to promote greater understanding, collaboration and support and by promoting lasting and lifeenhancing relationships through clubs and charities. Our Values We believe that giving people opportunities to regularly train and play rugby can inspire and empower individuals to realise their full potential, directly improving participants health, discipline, communication skills and self-respect. We believe participation in grassroots rugby can also be a catalyst for people experiencing homelessness to engage more effectively with wider support services related to health, education, training and employment. We believe that by creating this opportunity, we can help enable some of the most vulnerable people in England to transform their lives. Worcester partners receiving the Premiership Rugby Community Award, Spring

6 Where we have come from In England, more than 81,000 households were found to be homeless during 2012/13 1. In London alone the number of people seen sleeping rough by outreach teams has increased by 43% in the last year. All projections point to the likelihood that there will be more homeless individuals and families in England in three years time. At the same time, it is likely that there will be fewer resources available to support them. By creating local connections and asking professional clubs to donate one coach, one hour a week, to coach participants in partnership with their local homelessness charity, we can provide truly invaluable support and encouragement to hundreds of people struggling to overcome the challenges of homelessness. Worcester team ahead of their first game, Winter DCLG Homelessness Statistics 6

7 The challenge ahead Our aim is to build strong, local, grassroots partnerships between professional and amateur rugby clubs and their local homelessness charities and services. All over the country, homeless charities and organisations work to bring people off the street and into temporary hostel accommodation. Once someone has made that first step, however, they face a whole new set of challenges as they move towards full independence. Our goal is to bring opportunities on and off the pitch to 200 homeless people across England by Our strategic plan focuses on four areas: 1. Growing the Partnerships Aim: Look to continue recruiting new clubs and charities that can partner locally to provide help and support on and off the pitch to local homeless people. 2. Growing the Programmes Aim: To begin, improve participants fitness and skill before looking at supplementary activities including education, training and support into employment. 3. Growing the Community Aim: At the launch of our national competition, invite other national rugby federations from around the UK and beyond as aspire to develop international partnerships, programmes and competition. 4. Growing the Organisation Aim: Continuously look to develop the organisation and brand while exploring commerce opportunities that: Support the organisations ethical and sustainable agenda Strengthen the Homeless Rugby CIC brand Create new employment opportunities for participants Kicking practice, London, Summer

8 Tackling the future Homelessness is one of society biggest yet most hidden challenges. Global economic recession, competitive employment market and a tough housing landscape have made it harder now more than ever to secure and sustain a roof over your head. Across England people are struggling to make ends meet on a weekly basis and vulnerable to the increasing pressure on decreasing incomes. We will work proactively with partners to help those susceptible to homelessness, but for those who do become homeless we will work with them, using rugby to help change their lives for the better once more. Because we believe: By playing rugby, we can aim to create teams of mixed gender and make this opportunity equally accessible to women who are homeless as well as including a wider range of ability A passion for rugby is shared by many thousands across the country, including us Rugby is a team sport with a powerful team spirit living within it; especially the idea of looking out for one another Rich, Warriors player. 8

9 Building on our foundations Worcester pilot Why act Higher than average youth homelessness rates in Worcestershire Need to provide real life challenges and positive experiences through Worcester Warriors RUFC and Worcester YMCA came together to see if their combined skills, experiences and knowledge could be used to address homelessness locally Why rugby Inclusive to all ages and abilities Game skills become life skills Teamwork, respect, discipline and commitment are fundamental Transferable skills off the pitch. What s the impact Team 18 attendees Core group of 10 regularly attend 6 in full or part time employment, 2 at Sixways Stadium 3 engaged in volunteering 2 enrolled on Hitz RFU programme 2 enrolled in college 11 moved out of YMCA. What s the impact Case study Joined team in November 2013 Now attends every session No drugs for 1 year Completing level one coaching qualification Worcestershire YMCA Volunteer of the Year 2014 Maintaining YMCA licence effectively and ready to move out Responsible for meeting new residents and getting them to join the team. 9

10 Collaborations and partnerships Over the coming years we will further develop and formalise our collaborations and partnerships. Our current core stakeholders will grow into regional leads as we look to establish a national programme. In particular we will work to build relationships with leading rugby organisations including the RFU and Premiership Rugby in England, and national homeless charities. We will build on our professional network of players and coaches, staff and volunteers to help inform and progress our aims, objectives and plans of delivery. We will actively engage with media to raise awareness of homelessness and our actions and successes addressing it. In all these things we will target our resources carefully for maximum leverage and benefits for homeless people. We aim to fund the organisations activities through strengthening of existing funding streams and diversification into new income generating activities; whilst also creating and growing a new individual giving community. The generosity of Homeless Rugby CIC supporters has so far allowed us to make life changing differences to lives in Worcester. We want to grow this to a national organisation, helping 200 homeless people each year: whilst transforming the public s understanding of homelessness in England. This will help to increase awareness and recognition of our impact to a wider audience, especially amongst peers, opinion leaders and the international rugby community. Warriors Vs Hitz Saints, Spring

11 How you can help There are many ways that you can help us in our journey towards a world without homelessness, where their contribution to society can be fully felt and valued once more: 1. Campaign for a team in your area Our volunteers tell us how rewarding it is to give time and support to their new team, and the great thing we can support you creating a new team too 2. Make a donation or grant towards our work Any gift, however small, will help us deliver our vital projects across England 3. Join our #TackleHomelessness Group A group of friends and benefactors who join us for special events, and support specific projects of particular need with a regular donation of 1, Sponsor a Homeless Rugby team Supporting one of our teams will mean they have the kit, ability to book facilities to train on and funding to travel and attend matches, competing in their local leagues 5. Become a Volunteer Join us to engage in fulfilling work related to homelessness, mentoring and supporting our players in your area off the pitch 6. Support our Sustainability Work with our directors and a select group of partners to develop commercial activities under the Homeless Rugby CIC brand that surplus will go towards sustaining the organisation and local partnerships we support 7. Share your facilities For clubs interested in getting involved, we will work with you to identify opportunities to utilise your club and coach resources to help homeless people in your local community. Warriors Vs Worcester Teachers, Spring

12 Homeless Rugby CIC website - phone darran@homelessrugby.org twitter 12 Company Number