THE PRINCE OF WALES TO VISIT LEITH COMMUNITY CENTRE AS THE ROYAL FOUNDATION LAUNCHES NEW COMMUNITY IMPACT PARTNERSHIP
Leith, Edinburgh
Wednesday 21st May 2025
The Prince of Wales – Duke of Rothesay when in Scotland – will visit Leith Community Centre to shine a light on the power of community-led social impact as The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales announces a new collaboration with Street Soccer Scotland to foster health and wellbeing, reduce isolation, and strengthen social connections for thousands of local people of all ages through the power of football.
The project is part of the Royal Foundation’s Community Impact Programme, which aims to provide lasting impact and legacy in the communities Their Royal Highnesses visit. Originating in Leith in 2009, Street Soccer Scotland has been delivering free football-themed training and personal development programmes for socially disadvantaged adults and young people across Scotland.
As part of the new partnership, the Royal Foundation is providing funding for Street Soccer Scotland that will support efforts to revitalise Leith Community Centre. The Royal Foundation is also working closely with the charity as it brings together local partners including Leith Community Centre and YMCA Edinburgh to create ‘Leith United’. This new coalition aims to set a framework for sustainable funding for community spaces and initiatives that other communities can utilise and learn from. The ambition is for it to exist as a blueprint for innovative practices in partnerships and community asset management which can be replicated across other communities across the UK.
Street Soccer Scotland will use the grant from The Royal Foundation to:
• Revitalise and renovate Leith Community Centre to create an inclusive, welcoming space for local residents.
• Enhance existing sports-based initiatives at the Community Centre that use the power of football to support people experiencing issues such as poor mental health, addiction, homelessness and isolation, fostering a sense of belonging for the most vulnerable in the Leith community.
• Enable vital outreach work in the community to better support individuals experiencing social challenges.
• Facilitate the recruitment of a dedicated member of staff to further the impact of the ‘Leith United’ coalition.
By pooling the experience, networks, and resources of organisations in the coalition, ‘Leith United’ will be able to grow and expand on existing work, creating a space at Leith Community Centre that reflects the needs and aspirations of the whole community. Street Soccer Scotland will provide football themed programmes to support socially disadvantaged adults and young people. YMCA Edinburgh will continue their work empowering young people, children and their families to transform their lives.
Leith Community Centre will continue to be a vital part of the community, run by local volunteers and staff, offering a home to a variety of diverse activities, including language, dance and art classes, history groups, martial arts, and a variety of youth clubs and family crafts.
⚽ Community Goals! ✨
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) May 21, 2025
At Leith Community Centre, the beautiful game is being used to tackle some of society’s toughest challenges. Street Soccer Scotland is joining forces with local partners through Leith United, a new social enterprise launched with support from The Royal… pic.twitter.com/on4rorCCQu
