Street Soccer Scotland is hoping to create a space for people with disadvantaged backgrounds to access support, training and advice

A charity has marked an exciting new chapter by opening the doors of its new base.

Street Soccer Scotland has today opened a first-of-its-kind new multi-purpose hub to provide access, training and support to people from a variety of socially disadvantaged backgrounds. 

Based in Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre in Edinburgh, people can drop into the space for a range of services and support, whether it be for a cup of tea and advice or to access courses and training. The charity also plans to engage with the many businesses located in Ocean Terminal to find opportunities for those they work with and provide the necessary workplace training through its employability partner Working Rite to help people into employment.

It will also become the charity’s new head office and a venue to host year-round partner and community events. 

David Duke, founder and chief executive of Street Soccer Scotland, hopes the new space will allow the charity to extend its reach by offering a safe environment for individuals to come for help as well as allowing them to have a greater positive impact upon those they already work with.

“The Dugout is an exciting venture for our organisation and one which can really help us in our mission,” said Duke. “The space will allow people to drop in for assistance in a range of ways, as and when they need it. This will be a great resource for those requiring help.”

“After Covid-19, the impact on retail space is clear to see. The Dugout will be a new way of doing things and a welcome boost to the sector. Our hybrid model will allow community to be at the heart of things, while still providing retail options. Being located in a busy public space will allow us to change perceptions, challenge stigma and champion causes we value through window displays and other work.” 

The Dugout will also stock a range of Street Soccer Scotland merchandise with a new limited-edition collection being released each quarter. Each series will focus on the charity’s intrinsic values, with the first collection focusing on ‘Hope’. All proceeds from the shop and online sales will go directly towards supporting their work.

Duke added: “It is an exciting time for the charity as coupled with the opening is our first venture into merchandise. This will allow us to extend our message as well as providing an avenue to generate more income to feed into our programmes.” 

The Dugout will be open 10am to 6pm Monday-Friday, 10am to 4pm Saturday and will be closed on Sundays. 

Founded in 2009 by David Duke MBE, Street Soccer Scotland is a social enterprise and charity which has helped over 10,000 people by using the power of football to create positive change by providing purpose, opportunity and connection for adults and young people experiencing social exclusion. Street Soccer Scotland delivers programmes across the whole of the country, 365 days a year.

For more information or to donate to Street Soccer Scotland, visit the website.