L&Q Living hosts charity football tournament with West Ham United Foundation

L&Q residents, staff and partners came together to exhibit their footballing prowess at the West Ham Foundation pitch on Friday 18 May for a mental health football tournament.

The annual event attracted 10 teams from companies including Higgins Construction, Hill and BPM as well as L&Q Living FC, and L&Q staff teams. L&Q’s corporate partner Higgins were the ones to lift the cup on the day.

The tournament was organised by L&Q to raise funding for L&Q Living FC, a football team made up of residents with mental health needs. This year, an impressive £3000 was raised for the team to go towards new equipment, pitch fees, league registration and travel.

L&Q Living FC was set up in 2009 to give L&Q residents with mental health needs a chance to connect with others, build confidence and self-esteem and gain transferable skills, as well as improving physical health which is important for mental wellbeing. It is open to all L&Q Living residents both male and female and currently has 15 players aged 18-45.

West Ham Foundation's Community Sport Manager, Austin Hughes said:

"It is always good to support events like this, not just for the positive impact had on the day for all involved, but because that impact will continue the coming year as L&Q Living FC go on to play and achieve more as both team and individuals.

It is great, as ever, to be able to support L&Q in making positive changes in the community."

Ian Joy, L&Q Living support worker and Manager of L&Q Living FC, said:

"We’re grateful to everyone who played, everyone who came along to watch and our partners who donated money to enter the tournament. We would like to say a huge thank you to West Ham United Foundation for their support on the day which made the event such a great success.

"It was brilliant to bring everyone together for such a fun day and to have a chance to show off the work we're doing with L&Q Living FC."

Jonathon Atkins, a former resident at Magpie Close who now lives independently said: “I’ve been a member of the club since it was set up in 2009 - I don’t know where I’d be without football. It’s helped build my confidence. It’s the most amazing feeling when you score a goal!”