Micah Hamilton met with participants from MFC Foundation's Active Through Football project at Rockliffe this week.
The Boro man was there to welcome the group to our training ground, where they took a tour followed by a football session on the outdoor pitches.
Active Through Football is an inclusivity-led health project, inviting participants from all walks of the Teesside community to take part in free sessions; not limited to football and also including a diverse range of activities from table tennis to tai chi.
Many of the group who made the Rockliffe trip were signposted from the Foundation's previous 'Football Welcomes' initiative, helping to integrate refugees and asylum seekers, but the project caters to a wider remit.
"The whole idea of the project is removing barriers and bringing people together," says MFC Foundation coach Fayzan Hanif.
"For example, some have come to our sessions without being able to speak English; they start to learn and then from there they're getting jobs.
"There are others that suffer with their mental health, have learning difficulties, or struggle with social inclusion. They end up meeting people and becoming more a part of society.
"Being associated with the club and the badge is very powerful, and I think that's the idea - to help and support in any way possible."
"𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆" 💬@MFCFoundation's Active Through Football project is removing barriers and bringing people together 👏#UTB #RiverSideBySide #EFLTogether
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) October 16, 2024
Participant Isaac Olaolu, one of those who made the Rockliffe trip, is a great example.
"The Foundation was welcoming like a family to me," he says.
"If I was trying to talk to people they were always open. Every time you come to a session, someone's always there to say, 'hey, how are you doing?'
"It’s small things but it made me realise, oh, people do care about immigrants coming into the country.
"It takes things off you, because you have these small sessions where you can just be happy. It's really been helpful."
Active Through Football is funded by the National Lottery and delivered by the Football Foundation in association with Sport England. For more information about sessions taking place on Teesside, please email enquiries@mfcfoundation.co.uk.
RiverSideBySide
Saturday's match against Bristol City is our first RiverSideBySide matchday of the season, where we highlight the club's commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. This time the theme is race, in conjunction with the EFL Together campaign and Black History Month, and there will be activity on display throughout the day at the Riverside.