The positive work of Manchester United Foundation continued to be strongly felt by its participants in 2022, with the involvement of players and staff past and present helping to underline their incredible impact.

The Foundation celebrated its 15th anniversary in March 2022, and since its launch back in 2007, some of its very first participants have now begun to progress into roles working for the charity.

One such individual, Joab Westwood, is now a head coach for the Street Reds programme. He was crowned as United’s Premier League Communities ‘Local Legend’ and received words of congratulations from former Red, Rio Ferdinand, in recognition of his work.

Joab said: “It is amazing to be recognised, because when I come here every week, I don't see this as a job – I do my job in the daytime, and then I come here to enjoy myself and have a good time and see the young people have fun.”

Rio added: “Legends aren't just created in stadiums. The coaches, mentors, volunteers and participants who have fulfilled their potential thanks to these weekly sessions all deserve to be called legends."

St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School in Stockport experienced the beyond-the-classroom benefits of their Foundation partnership with an unforgettable visit to Carrington, where pupils met the United first-team squad at the end of the 2021/22 season.

Jordanna Roberts, the Foundation’s primary schools manager, spoke about the value of these incredible experiences.

“The whole first team came up and met all of the children, and they were absolutely beside themselves,” she enthused. “They are going to remember that for the rest of their lives.

“A lot of them don’t leave the areas that they live in, so to be able to see somebody who they idolise on the telly every week is just amazing.”

The Foundation also delivers a BTEC Sport programme alongside Eccles Sixth Form College as part of its education provision, and those students had an afternoon to remember with a coaching session from another ex-United defender, Jaap Stam, in May.

Students gained a special insight from Jaap, learning about his esteemed career, ahead of his return to the Theatre of Dreams as the Foundation’s Legends of the North series began – with a double header of matches between United and Liverpool legends.

“It was an absolutely amazing experience – the advice he’s given us is once-in-a-lifetime,” student Ellis said of the session.

Soon after, Jaap and a host of other huge United names – including Antonio Valencia, Patrice Evra and Dimitar Berbatov – graced the hallowed turf in M16 in May, and later in the return leg at Anfield in September, with the monies raised going to support the work of both clubs’ Foundations.

With the start of the 2022/23 season came further life-changing moments for the Foundation’s young people, particularly following the partnership launch with DXC Technology, which saw partner secondary pupils take on a series of digital workshops.

High-performing students were rewarded by being invited back to Old Trafford to be mascots for the home win against Tottenham.

Young people are at the heart of the Foundation’s work, which was brought into focus with the Old Trafford sleepout last month – a fundraising event in aid of both the Foundation and Centrepoint, which saw 60 people bed down in the Munich Tunnel for the night, standing in solidarity with young people facing hardship this winter.

On the night of the sleepout, Foundation chief executive John Shiels said: "I am truly grateful to everyone that is here with us tonight braving the freezing temperatures. Their dedication means we can continue our work in supporting the most vulnerable in society and helping them to make positive choices in their lives.”

During the 2021/22 season, the Foundation positively impacted the lives of 20,343 young people across Greater Manchester and beyond.

This effort is set to continue in 2023, so be sure to follow us on social media to keep up to date with our work.