Charity Street Football Wales Faces Closure Without Funding
Street Football Wales, a football club supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, has announced it will be forced to close if it does not secure additional funding. The charity, based in Cardiff and operating across Wales, urgently needs to raise £15,000 by the end of April to continue its work.
Actor Michael Sheen, who previously stepped in to finance the 2019 Homeless World Cup after funding was withdrawn, highlighted the profound impact the charity has on lives. One female participant credited the organisation with saving her life.
Despite some funding expected in May, Street Football Wales stated it would have to "close permanently" if it cannot raise the remaining amount.
Bethan Thomas, the charity's interim director, described the current funding environment as "increasingly difficult and competitive" since the pandemic, leaving organisations like hers "overly reliant on grants".
"We are not unique in this struggle,"
She added.
The charity supports over 400 individuals annually who face homelessness, substance misuse, mental health challenges, or severe social isolation.
Its activities include weekly training sessions, quarterly tournaments, and participation in the annual Homeless World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Mexico later this year. The charity indicated it would be "unlikely" the teams would attend if closure occurs.
Wayne Ellaway's Journey Through Street Football Wales
Wayne Ellaway, from Cardiff, was living in a homeless shelter and struggling with heroin addiction when he discovered street football. He described his situation before joining as:
"I had lost everything, no focus, no direction, no purpose."
His life changed after participating in the 2015 Homeless World Cup in Amsterdam.
He later coached the team at the 2018 tournament in Mexico, where he met his wife, Luisiana. The couple now reside in Cardiff.
After receiving support to obtain his driving licence, Wayne now works as a vendor development worker in Cardiff and as a mobile sales and outreach worker in Newport.
He encourages people to engage with the charity beyond donations.
"Don't just donate and then move on,"
he said.
"Come and make it personal. Bring a pair of boots, come and have a game with us."
Tor Planner's Recovery Through Football
Tor Planner's path to the pitch began after a prolonged period of severe agoraphobia and anxiety, during which she had not left her home for 18 months.
She explained the impact on her life:
"It impacted my whole life,"
she said.
"I lost my job because I couldn't get to work, a relationship broke down, and I wasn't seeing my friends any more."
After seeing a Street Football Wales event on social media near her home in Pembrokeshire, she decided to attend.
"As soon as I walked through the door, I was welcomed,"
she said.
"Straight away my barriers went down."
Tor's progress was rapid; she was named co-captain of the women's team and travelled to Oslo in August 2025 for the Homeless World Cup, where the team advanced further than ever before.
"I went from not being able to leave my house to leaving the country, getting on that plane to Norway,"she said.
"Street Football Wales didn't change my life, it saved my life."
Although she had previously tried counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy, Tor credits football with making the real difference, a view shared by her family.
She now works as a progress coach at a college and describes her life as "even better than before."
Concerns Over Potential Closure
Tor expressed that the potential closure of the charity would be devastating.
Despite her recovery, she remains a regular participant in weekly sessions and worries about the future of the community.
"I don't know what I would do without Wednesday sessions,"
she said.
"I couldn't really put into words what I would do, or what the others would do, but it's a shame when it's done so much."
Michael Sheen, who helped fund the 2019 Homeless World Cup, reiterated his support and emphasised the charity's impact.
"Street Football Wales is about much more than a kickabout,"the Welsh actor said.
Former Wales record goalscorer Helen Ward also highlighted the irreplaceable gap the closure would create.
Ward, who scored 44 goals in 105 appearances for Wales, joined the charity four years ago and was immediately committed after her first visit.
"I think this is really unique,"she said.
"It gives them a chance to go back to who they once were. It is a route back into happier times, something they used to do as a kid.
People involved often don't have many friends or family and it gives them a community. I know how much it means to players and staff. It isn't just enhancing lives, it's saving lives."
