Godfrey And Dobbin Take In EitC's Life-Changing Work

Everton first team duo Ben Godfrey and Lewis Dobbin swapped their football boots for boxing gloves last week when they attended an Everton in the Community Kicks session to help mark the charity’s upcoming 36th birthday. 

The Blues stars visited EitC’s community campus in the heart of L4 to take part in a boxing session alongside a group of young people who are participants on one of the charity’s many youth support programmes, set up to support youngsters in positive activities and steering them away from possible negative influences.

After being introduced to the group, keen boxing enthusiast Godfrey and Academy graduate Dobbin wasted no time in throwing themselves into the session and lacing up their gloves to take part in some one-on-one pad work exercises with the young males before switching roles for the participants to practice their punches and jabs on them. 

As the session drew to a close, the duo took part in an impromptu Q&A session and were quizzed on a wide variety of topics including hobbies away from football, the toughest player they’ve ever played against and what time they go to bed!

Toffees defender, Ben Godfrey said: “I remember being the same age as the young people that we were with today and for them to relate to us, knowing that we were once on a similar pathway – engaging in sports and different activities – is really inspiring for them and it’s nice for us to see so many of the kids with a smile on their faces.

“Nowadays it’s easy for young people to be misled into making the wrong decisions in life, so it’s really important that they have access to outlets like Everton in the Community. The sessions that they provide teach the kids valuable life skills that will stand them in good stead; it’s massively beneficial for them, and an honour for us to come along, meet them all and take part.”

Kicks participant, Liam commented: "I’ve been coming here for eight years now, and it’s helped me a lot with my football, and you get the chance to do lots of different activities. We’re always learning something new and constantly meeting new people – it’s amazing.”

Jamie King, Youth Inclusion Coordinator at Everton in the Community added: “The Kicks programme is brilliant because we have kids from all different areas across Liverpool 4 and beyond coming to the sessions; we’ve even had some young people with us from the age of six who’re now 16 and have been with us throughout their childhood. We aim to keep them fully engaged and on the right track – in and out of school – so that they can all reach their full potential.

“Typically, most people think that we only host football sessions, but our offering is much wider than that and we’ve been delivering these boxing sessions for the past year now. It’s been brilliant having the players come along today, there’s a lot of young Evertonians amongst the group, so many of them have been left inspired and met their footballing heroes. It’s also great that Ben and Lewis have been able to see our work and how Everton in the Community is changing lives.”

Everton in the Community’s youth support programmes use the power of sport to support young people in school and community settings and combine football and sport sessions with workshops on topics such as healthy lifestyles and employability as well as educating them on the dangers of gang violence, drugs and alcohol. 

The charity’s PL Kicks programme aims to develop confidence, self-esteem and raise aspirations and Everton in the Community has engaged with more than 1,800 young people through its youth support programmes over the last 12 months. 

Kicks is one of over 60+ programmes and initiatives delivered by Everton in the Community which tackle a variety of social issues including employability, education, mental health, homelessness, poverty and disability.  
 
Everton in the Community will celebrate its 36th birthday at Monday’s home game against Crystal Palace and the Club’s official charity is calling on Evertonians to mark the occasion by supporting them in their fundraising efforts and ‘Be Sound, Bring a Pound’. EitC staff and volunteers will be out in full force ahead of kick-off, armed with buckets and asking fans to spare £1 on the night, with monies raised channelled into developing the charity’s life-changing work in Liverpool 4 and beyond.

Established in 1988, Everton in the Community has been providing a lifeline to those most in need across Liverpool City Region for more than three decades through its innovative and impactful delivery. To support the sustainability of the charity’s mission to build brighter futures and stronger communities across Liverpool City Region, click here.