The South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) and South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Dr Alan Billings, have visited Football Unites Racism Divides (FURD).

Based at the U-Mix Centre in Sheffield, FURD is a social inclusion project which believes that football is a way to bring together different communities and people of all ages and backgrounds.

FURD’s ongoing projects include their work with refugees and asylum seekers, and their programme to tackle violent crime among children and young people, for which they have received VRU funding.

During the visit, the VRU and Dr Billings spoke to FURD about their work, and discussed possible avenues to secure further funding in future.

Graham Jones, Head of the South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit said: “I’m pleased that the Violence Reduction Unit has been able to support Football Unites Racism Divides in implementing a programme to tackle gang, gun and knife crime among children and young people.

“Sport plays an important role in bringing communities together, building social cohesion and promoting health and wellbeing, and initiatives such as this contribute towards our ambition to prevent and reduce violence in South Yorkshire.”

Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner said: “It was a pleasure to visit the U-Mix Centre to hear about the projects Football Unites Racism Divides are undertaking to support local communities in Sheffield.

“I was particularly interested to hear about their work to support refugees and asylum seekers, something which has taken on even greater importance given events in Ukraine.

“They are currently searching for funding to support this work. I have encouraged them to apply to my small grants scheme, and I will support them in accessing other funding streams where possible.”

You can find about more about Football Unites Racism Divides here: https://furd.org/