The community hub will be available starting on Wednesday 19^th April from 2-5 pm and will run monthly on the 3^rd Wednesday of every month until December 2023.

Eastleigh-based Stoneham Lane Football Complex operated by Hampshire FA will offer its indoor suites to facilitate a community hub for members of the public. The community hub is open and free to all members of the public and all ages and will offer every member that comes through its doors, a free hot meal, soup, and light refreshments for the duration.  

Additionally, shower essentials and clean towels will be offered as will the site’s changing rooms and showers should anyone require the use of those facilities on the day. With rising costs in energy prices and the further impact on the most vulnerable members of society, Hampshire FA’s Corporate Social Responsibility team took initiative and submitted a grant application to the National Lottery Community Fund. The team was successfully awarded funding to run the community hub and offer support to those most vulnerable in society. 

The indoor facility will offer members a chance to meet new people, socialise over a hot beverage, with a few tables dedicated to board games, a quiet area for a spot of light reading, and a movie with a dedicated seating area.

The monthly offering is free of charge for all, there is no sign-up required and members of the public are simply welcome to turn up on the day and be assisted by the site’s staff. We welcome all ages, families, individuals, and community groups to attend. Hampshire FA will further target local organisations such as food banks, homeless shelters, and other organisations designed to support the local community with the free offering and ensure that word of mouth spreads the message as far and as wide as possible.

Discussing the new Stoneham community hub, Hampshire FA’s Participation Development Manager, Pedro Viveiros said “The space is accessible to all members of the public that need and want a comfortable, social, and welcoming space to call their own. We will strive to build more local links with organisations in the local area and ensure that we can reach as many demographics and communities as possible.”

For more information on Hampshire FA’s Corporate Social Responsibility work, its partners, and other activities, please visit our Corporate Social Responsibility page.