Wiltshire FA was delighted to have Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, and Brian Mathew, MP for Devizes and Melksham, join us at our Green Lane Playing Fields HQ on Friday afternoon to learn more about our Roots & Shoots initiative.

Roots & Shoots is delivered in partnership with Devizes Neighbourhood Policing Team and others, although there is presently a need for further funding to sustain and expand this highly-successful intervention.

The initiative is a programme which promotes social inclusion, offers personal development, and seeks to prevent youth crime and anti-social behaviour. 

Sir Ed and Mr. Mathew swapped suits for football kit at Wiltshire FA, joining some participants of the Roots & Shoots programme for a kick about and to learn first-hand about the impact that the initiative is having.

Sir Ed said: “It’s the sort of partnership that can really turn people’s lives around, give them new opportunities, show them a different way, and that benefits that young person, their families, and the wider community.”

Mr. Mathew added: “It’s a project that should go from strength to strength.”

Simon Russell, CEO of Wiltshire FA, said: “All stakeholders are clear that Roots & Shoots makes a fantastic difference, both for the young people involved and the local community. 

“Working with the team here, I’m determined to secure funding that will allow us to sustain the great work that happens now; to work with partners to deliver the same benefits in other communities across Wiltshire, and to ensure we capture the evidence to demonstrate the positive impact football is having in society.”

As an extension of Roots & Shoots’ mission, Wiltshire FA worked with Wiltshire Police and the Devizes Neighbourhood Policing Team to target a reduction in violent crime within the community by installing a permanent knife surrender bin at Green Lane; the first permanent amnesty bin to be installed in Devizes.

Mr. Mathew commented: “Outside, there is a knife bin, and we’ve heard from police that something like 100 knives have been put in there over time, including a pistol.”

To learn more about Roots & Shoots, please click here

If you would like to get involved in supporting Roots & Shoots, and the incredible work it does for individuals and our community, please get in touch with Simon Russell, CEO, via Simon.Russell@WiltshireFA.com