LFC Foundation reveals it has supported over 500,000 people in latest social impact report

Since it first began reporting across the 2020/21 season the club’s official charity has generated more than £170 million in healthcare savings, contributed over £36 million into the local economy, and supported a total of 529,000 people.

Focused on tackling social inequalities and raising aspirations in the Liverpool City Region and beyond, LFC Foundation has a garnered a combined social value of £364.79 million since 2020.

Last season alone it supported 145,617 people, an increase of more than 18,000 on the previous year and almost three times the number reached in 2020/21. This vital support includes delivering 11,040 sessions and 693 community events across 315 community venues, including 206 schools, totalling the equivalent of 68 hours of delivery every day.

Over half of the participants were from the top 20% most deprived areas in the country, reflecting the Foundation’s focus on communities with the greatest need. While the extensive healthcare savings demonstrate the long-term impact of its programmes on mental wellbeing and physical health, with the aim of significantly reducing demand on health services.

One of the most tangible examples of this impact is in its community health provision. Through the Smile Squad programme, 1,547 children received dental screenings across last season, with more than 500 referred for follow-up treatment, enabling families to access high-demand NHS care.

Other programmes highlighted in this year’s report span health, education, employability and community engagement. Initiatives such as On Target, Sound Minds, Honeysuckle FC and Premier League Kicks continued to support young people and adults across the region, while the Foundation’s international partnerships reached 19,230 people through work in Tanzania, Ethiopia, the Republic of Ireland and New York.

Through Red Neighbours LFC Foundation also donated over £500,000 worth of essential food hampers, stadium tours and matchday experiences last season and supported the delivery of 1,000 free meals per week, prepared by the LFC Kitchens, to community members.

Reflecting on the publication of the fifth report, Matt Parish, LFC Foundation CEO, said:

“Reaching our fifth impact report is a really important milestone for us. We made a commitment back in 2020/21 to be fully open about the difference we are making, and that transparency continues to shape everything we are doing today.

“Over that time, we have generated more than £360 million of social value, with over £170 million in healthcare savings, and we have supported over half a million people. We’re now working with nearly three times as many people each season as when we started this journey, and much of that support is reaching communities with the greatest need.

“I’d like to thank everyone who makes this possible – the club, the players, our supporters, trustees, valued partners, and of course our Foundation team who deliver life-changing work every day.”

The report also sets out LFC Foundation’s plans for the next five years. Its 2025-30 strategy focuses on improving health, championing learning and enhancing employability, with an ambition to support 500,000 people per season, expand its international work into 10+ countries, and continue leading the way on research, evaluation and impact measurement.

Dr Simon Bowers, trustee of LFC Foundation, added:

“Having five years of independently verified data gives us a really clear picture of the impact the Foundation’s programmes are having on people’s health. The benefits reported by participants each season are consistently positive, and when you set that alongside the healthcare savings of more than £170 million over five years, it shows how meaningful and important this work is.

“The level of transparency in the reporting gives us confidence that the programmes we deliver are genuinely improving people’s lives and easing pressure on local health services.”