About Us
The Players Foundation is a registered charity dedicated to helping current and former professional footballers who need a bit of extra support. We’re here to lend a hand to those who meet our eligibility criteria.
Our Vision
‘To identify and support our beneficiaries’
Our Mission
‘Providing financial and educational support and advice to our beneficial class in their moment of need according to our strategy and charitable objects’
Our Leadership
- The Players Foundation has a seven-person strong board of Trustees, including four former players, who shape the strategy and direction of the charity.
- There is a small management team who oversee the day to day running of activity.
- The Players Foundation is a charity and as such remains impartial to politics and agendas both within the football industry and media.
- The Players Foundation will carry out the work as identified in our charitable objectives for the benefit of beneficiaries.
As a charity, The Players Foundation is bound by Charity Law and is regulated by The Charity Commission.The regulatory framework around the operations and activities of charities in the UK is intended to ensure public confidence and that charities work to achieve their charitable purpose.
Our Partners
A shared vision
The Players Foundation are pleased to have partnered with DISC and MWS Consult Ltd.
DISC share the same aims as the charity of supporting people living with Dementia, their families and friends. The Players Foundation and DISC have identified many of the barriers that beneficiaries face when trying to access the support they need including, cost, access to accurate information, safe spaces to ask questions and increase their knowledge and consistent on-going support as and when needed.
The Players Foundation and DISC’s core mission is to ensure that everyone has access to the information and support they need to live well with Dementia and, for their family and friends to live well in their caring role. We know how important community is, especially to people who may struggle to remain part of their community due to illness or disability. We support people to form strong links with their community whilst also building resilience and learning the skills they need to make the best possible decisions for themselves and the people they care for.
MWS Consult provide a confidential and accessible service to support beneficiaries of The Players Foundation at what can be an extremely stressful and anxious time. This service allows beneficiaries the chance to have their current financial situation assessed by an independent specialist advisor who can help beneficiaries to explore the best tailored solutions for dealing with debt, talk through available options and support beneficiaries in taking action to regain control of their finances.
MWS Consult also support beneficiaries to access their benefits rights and ensure that they receive all benefits due to them – which can help to relieve financial stress on beneficiaries’ budgets. The Players Foundation cover the total cost of providing all these support services, meaning they are free to use to all beneficiaries.
DISC Dementia Support
DISC Dementia Support was formed in March of 2018 when a group of carers asked Emma and Louise to support them in their caring roles. Emma and Louise already had extensive experience in supporting unpaid carers who were supporting people living with Dementia and, were aware of the detriment to carers of not having access to the support they needed.
- facilitated support groups.
- carer information courses
- 1 to 1 support through face to face meetings, email, telephone and Zoom
- information and signposting
- referrals into other appropriate services
- DISC Dementia Guides
- training for other professionals
- support from pre-diagnosis through post bereavement
- activity groups and events for carers to attend with the person they support
MWS Consult Ltd
Mark graduated in law and completed the Legal Practice Course. In the early part of his career, he worked in the charity and not for profit sector. Mark was a Debt and Welfare Benefits Advisor, firstly with the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) in Bury, then for Salford Mental Health Services CAB, he then went on to work for Trafford Social Services in the same role. After a period in another role Mark returned to debt and insolvency advice when he moved to Farleys solicitors in January 2006, becoming head of personal insolvency there, a few years later. Mark now runs his own consultancy firm.
For the last 12 years Mark has advised beneficiaries of The Players Foundation who have experienced problems with debt or insolvency.
Debt Advice
Mark will assess our beneficiary’s financial position when experiencing problem debt. Advising people on the best debt solution for the beneficiary which could range from Bankruptcy, an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), Debt Management Plan (DMP). Assisting the debtor in the implementation of any of the above. Advice around any ancillary problems caused by problem debt such as repossession action by a mortgage company or landlord, bailiff action, county court action etc.
Welfare Rights Advice
Mark will carry out a full benefit assessment for every beneficiary that is referred to him, including disability benefits. Mark can assist in completing application forms and give advice on appeal procedures if a beneficiary has a claim refused.