Walsall FC Foundation is proud to launch our new Youth Outreach project, to support children and young people from low-income and underserved communities across Walsall.
The partnership, made possible through nearly £500,000 investment from the National Lottery Community Fund, aims to prevent youth violence, reduce vulnerability, and create positive environments where young people can develop confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging.
The vital funding brings together five local organisations and a national partner to support 8-18 year-olds from across the borough.
The project unites Walsall FC Foundation, InPower Academy, Midland Langar Seva Society (MLSS) and the Inspire Group, with StreetGames providing additional national support and expertise in community sport and youth engagement.
Youth Outreach is creating a coordinated offer across Walsall, to use sport as a vehicle for personal growth, resilience, and positive change.
Across Walsall, the partnership is offering safe and accessible spaces for young people to connect, be active, and thrive, with targeted support provided in areas of greatest need:
- InPower, based in Willenhall, engaging young people through Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and combat sports, combining physical training with mindfulness, discipline, and life skills. Their tailored approach builds confidence and self-awareness among young people who may be facing significant personal challenges.
- Midland Langar Seva Society (MLSS) – Bloxwich-based, blend sport with wellbeing and mentoring. They offer boxing, fitness, and leadership sessions alongside emotional support and volunteering opportunities, with a compassionate, year-round approach fostering resilience and social responsibility.
- The Inspire Group – in north Walsall, they provide multi-sport and mentoring sessions with a dedicated focus on young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Their inclusive approach helps every participant find their own pathway to success.
- Walsall FC Foundation – alongside community partners at Green Rivers Community Association and Street Teams, delivering football and multi-sport sessions underpinned by trauma-informed practice, mentoring, and leadership opportunities.
- StreetGames – as a supporting partner, bring their national experience in Doorstep Sport and community engagement, helping to strengthen the project’s impact, consistency, and connection to wider networks of best practice across the country.
Together, these organisations are building a joined-up approach that goes beyond sport — offering informal mentoring, wellbeing support, volunteering pathways, and personal development opportunities.
“This collaboration demonstrates the power of partnership,” said Martin Manley, Engagement Manager at Walsall FC Foundation.
“By combining local expertise with national support, we’re ensuring that every young person in Walsall has access to opportunities that help them grow, feel valued, and realise their potential.”
“Thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund and the dedication of the local partners, Walsall’s Youth Outreach project is not only changing individual lives – It’s strengthening communities for the future.”
To find out more about our partners or to get involved in Youth Outreach activities, please visit https://walsallfcfoundation.com/engagement/youth-outreach/
