How football is uniting homeless people in Manchester - with support from Juan Mata

The Salvation Army organised a tournament supported by Pep Guardiola’s Guardiola Sala Foundation.
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The Salvation Army’s tenth annual football tournament for people who are homeless has taken place in Manchester.

The Partnership Trophy will bring together 15 teams from Lifehouses, which provides accommodation and services for homeless people, and homelessness support services across the UK.

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The five-a-side tournament is being supported by the Guardiola Sala Foundation, a humanitarian charity set up by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and his family, who attended the last event in 2019, and removals firm Pickfords, who have named The Salvation Army its charity of the year.

And Manchester United player Juan Mata also lent his support by visiting the event and signing some autographs.

As well as providing food and shelter in Lifehouses, The Salvation Army helps residents find housing and employment, and provides support so that they can tackle addictions and increase their wellbeing.

After going through a hard time, 23 year old Qassam Djorjevic was homeless for three years but has since turned his life around and is now a resident at one of the charity’s supported housing sites.