Homeless World Cup Podcast

Welcome to the Homeless World Cup's new podcast - How to End Homelessness Bongani Mathiso captained the South African side at the Homeless World Cup in Mexico in 2012. Now he’s working with not-for-profit organisation Oasis who helped him to turn his life around after “living the life of a lie” taking drugs and committing crime. We spoke to him about how lessons learnt o

In this episode, we speak to Cliffy Martinus of Oasis Place, an NGO in South Africa. Oasis are the Homeless World Cup Foundation's Street Football Partner in South Africa. Cliffy is the founder of Oasis, and having grown up in the Cape Flats himself, he wanted to make a positive impact. After many years of community work in the Cape Flats, he founded Oasis in 2000. Recorded in late

We all recognise that homelessness compunds difficulties that most of us take for granted. But what about pets? Pet care in the UK can be too costly, and for many people who are homeless with their pets it can seem out of reach.  In this episode, we find out more about what pet services are available for homeless people. Mariana and I spoke to Jade Statt, co-founder of charity

The covid-19 pandemic has put tenants all over the world in a vulnerable position. In April, Scotland introduced an eviction ban for those affected by the crisis that could continue until March 2021. England and Wales implemented similar protections for renters in the summer months, however the bans ended in September. People in the UK have been losing their jobs across the income

We’re back! In this episode of the Homeless World Cup Podcast, Paul and Adam speak to the Reverend Dr Iain Whyte about his new anthology book Football’s Faithful Fans, a collection of writing from 20 contributors exploring what it means to support a football team. Iain has been an avid supporter of the Homeless World Cup for many years, and he continues to be so with his new bo

In this special episode of the Homeless World Cup Podcast, we speak to Scottish author Val McDermid.  For Homeless World Cup Day 2020, Val has put together a digital collection of prose and poetry focusing on the themes of football and homelessness: Home Fixtures. The anthology features the work of 24 authors, including Ian Rankin, Jackie Kay, and Nick Hornby, with the proceed

In this episode, Paul and Adam speak to FC Give director Caleb Olson. FC Give is a US based grassroots organisation that aims for social change through football. As well as sponsoring Street Soccer USA at the Homeless World Cup, FC Give volunteers their time and knowledge base to hold game sessions during every tournament. We talked to Caleb about FC Give's model and history, his m

Street Soccer USA started in Charlotte, North Carolina by brothers Lawrence and Rob Cann in 2004. Initially conceived as a local programme at a soup kitchen, the organisation has since grown to help over 15,000 children and adults in 14 cities around the country. In this episode of the Homeless World Cup Podcast we speak to SSUSA programme manager Reed Fox. As well as exploring SSU

In this episode of the Homeless World Cup Podcast we speak to highly decorated athlete and Chair of UK Sport, Dame Katherine Grainger. Katherine is a former rower and the UK’s most decorated female Olympian, with five medal wins. She has also participated in eight World Rowing Championships, coming away with six gold medals. As well as her athletic achievements, in 2017 Katherine

In this episode of the Homeless World Cup Podcast we speak to Gavin Yates, Chief Executive of Homeless Action Scotland. Homeless Action Scotland is the national membership organisation for homelessness in Scotland and aims to influence and support effective policy and practice to tackle homelessness. They work with local authorities, voluntary organisations, housing associations, h