Six clubs from the EFL will be recognised in Parliament after being named as regional winners of the Checkatrade Community Club of the Year.
Each has done innovative and groundbreaking work across community engagement, inclusion, education and health in their own local areas, and in some cases far beyond.
The clubs will be honoured at a ceremony in the House of Commons on March 12 and the overall 2018 winner will be announced at the EFL Awards on April 15 in central London.
The winning clubs and details of their projects are as follows:
- Yorkshire & North East – Middlesbrough
Stepping Up – a school-based programme to prepare children for the social and emotional aspects of moving from primary school to secondary. To find out more visit the Middlesbrough FC Foundation website or follow @MFCFoundation on Twitter.
- North West – Blackburn Rovers
Social inclusion football league – a unique competition designed for people with requirements in mental health, substance misuse, social isolation and homelessness. To find out more visit Blackburn Rovers FC Trust website or follow @BRFCTrust on Twitter.
- Midlands – Derby County
Rams in Kenya – aiding education, development and sustainability for hundreds of children at St Trizah, Ungana and Jubilee schools in Nakuru, Kenya. To find out more visit the Derby County Community Trust website or follow @DCCTOfficial on Twitter.
- London – Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic Community Trust Invicta FC – the first ever professional football club trust in the UK to establish and launch a dedicated LGBT-friendly football team. To find out more visit the Charlton Athletic Community Trust website or follow @CAFCTrust and @CharltonInvicta on Twitter.
- South East – Portsmouth
Wheels for All – an inclusive community cycling scheme that offers adapted bikes and personal support to local adults and children with physical and learning disabilities. To find out more visit the Pompey in the Community website or follow @PompeyITC on Twitter.
- South West – Bristol City
Youth Council – working with young people from various communities, City created a youth council to design and deliver community engagement programmes for people in the region. To find out more visit the Bristol City Community Trust website or follow @BCCommTrust on Twitter.
