On a freezing cold Friday night in November, Everton Under-23 coach David Unsworth and his entire squad of players and backroom staff arrived at Goodison armed with sleeping bags to take part in the Goodison Sleepout to raise awareness of homelessness.

After reflecting on the experience, Unsworth and EitC Executive Chair Dr Denise Barrett-Baxendale launched ‘Home Is Where The Heart Is’, a fundraising campaign to support young people on the brink of homelessness across the city of Liverpool.

The Blues Under-23 boss and his team have worked throughout the season to raise awareness of the ever-growing issue and ultimately raise funds to develop a supported living initiative for young people in Liverpool, delivered by Everton in the Community.

Through a series of visits and events, ranging from spending time with families at the Belvidere Family Centre on Christmas Day, preparing and cooking a full Christmas lunch for people who access the facilities of the Whitechapel Centre, to hosting the inaugural Everton Ultimate Chef and dedicating their U23 Goodison Park fixture against Southampton to the campaign, Unsworth and his players are now well over halfway
to their fundraising target of £230,000. The campaign was also given a welcome boost with cash donations from Blues Giant Duncan Ferguson and the Board of Directors.

Monies raised will be used to purchase, and operate, a house close to Goodison Park which will offer 16-23-year-olds who have fallen on hard times, or have perhaps fallen out of the care system, a place to stay in Liverpool.