Changing Lives nominated for Community Initiative of the Season at Northwest Football Awards

Rochdale AFC’s Changing Lives programme has been shortlisted for Community Initiative of the Season at the 2026 Northwest Football Awards.

The nomination is fantastic recognition for a programme that is using the power of football to make a genuine difference to people experiencing homelessness and difficult circumstances across Rochdale.

Delivered by Rochdale AFC Community Trust in partnership with Petrus, Changing Lives uses football as the starting point to build relationships, confidence, and trust, while creating opportunities for people to improve their health and wellbeing, develop new skills and take positive steps forward.

Since launching in January 2026, the programme has supported 33 individuals through 28 football and engagement sessions, alongside specialist workshops, competitive football opportunities, and experiences at Rochdale AFC.

The programme has also provided access to free haircuts, wellbeing support, employability pathways, and personal development opportunities, helping participants take steps towards wider opportunities both within football and beyond.

For many participants, football provides something positive to look forward to each week. It creates routine, builds friendships, and provides a safe environment where conversations can begin.

From those conversations, the programme can help people access support, improve their wellbeing, build confidence, and explore opportunities they may not previously have considered.

That could mean taking part in competitive football, attending a Rochdale AFC fixture, exploring employment, and training opportunities or progressing into other football opportunities within the community.

The nomination recognises the work of everyone involved in making this possible, from the participants themselves to the staff, coaches, volunteers and partners who continue to support the programme.

Deputy Community Trust Director at Rochdale AFC Community Trust Scott Webster, said:

“We’re incredibly proud to see Changing Lives recognised at the Northwest Football Awards. Football is the starting point, but the impact goes far beyond what happens on the pitch. It gives people a reason to get involved, build relationships and start having conversations about their health, wellbeing, and future. The biggest achievement is seeing people who may have been struggling start to believe in themselves again and take positive steps forward. This nomination is recognition of the people who make that happen every week.”

The programme is delivered alongside Petrus, whose support and expertise in working with people experiencing homelessness has been central to the development of Changing Lives. The nomination also comes as preparations continue for the Change Lives Sleep Out 2026, which will take place at the Crown Oil Arena on Friday 9 October. The event will raise vital funds to help support the continued development of Changing Lives and create more opportunities for people to engage, connect, and progress.

The latest nomination continues a strong history for Rochdale AFC Community Trust at the Northwest Football Awards. In 2022, the Trust won Community Initiative of the Season for its One Stop Bus project, while in 2024, Hope Football was highly commended in the same category.

There is also recognition for Rochdale AFC first-team player Sam Beckwith, who has been nominated for the PFA National League Community Champion 2025/26 award.

Help us continue to Change Lives

The Northwest Football Awards nomination is a chance to celebrate how far the programme has come, but there is still much more to do. Every football session, conversation and opportunity can be the start of something bigger, football can change lives. And this nomination is recognition of the people making that happen.

To find out more about the Change Lives Sleep Out 2026 and support the programme, visit:

https://givestar.io/ev/change-lives-sleep-out-2026

#ChangingLives #RochdaleAFC #CommunityTrust #NWFA2026