SUFFOLK FA are supporting The Offside Trust.

The national organisation was founded by individuals who suffered sexual abuse as a child and are committed to supporting any survivor of child sexual abuse in sport and working to make sport safer for children.

Their aims as an organisation are to end abuse in sport, so kids can be kids and support the healing journey of survivors of abuse.

Suffolk FA and The Offside Trust will work together to promote safeguarding throughout the county and raise the awareness of best practise and how create child friendly environments for them to thrive in Suffolk football.

A spokesman for The Offside Trust said: “The Offside Trust is delighted to working with Suffolk FA. 

“Following the success of working with Norfolk County FA, our East Anglian ambassador Alan Arber and Suffolk FA have agreed to extend our reach into the Suffolk FA area.

“The Trust has been working with the FA on safeguarding and survivor issues nationally and so we are really pleased to extend our work locally with another county FA to raise awareness of our ongoing work to support survivors of child sexual abuse in sport.”

Suffolk FA Mini-Soccer & Youth Football Development Officer James Morley said: “We are looking forward to working with The Offside Trust in promoting Safeguarding throughout Suffolk.

“We have invited Alan Arber and The Offside Trust to some of our future events where they will be promoting their work and giving anyone the opportunity to speak to them about their journey and how they can support the organisation.

“They have plenty of materials for clubs to take away and use to promote the organisation through social media or even putting their logo onto a playing kit. If you are attending an event which they are in attendance, please head over and introduce yourself to find out more.”

AFC Sudbury captain Joe Whight (left) pictured with Alan Arber (right) of The Offside Trust

For more information on The Offside Trust, please visit their website at www.offsidetrust.com

If you are a survivor of child sexual abuse in sport, there are several resources available.

The FA have commissioned a dedicated NSPCC helpline for adults who were abused in childhood within the football industry from grassroots to Premier League.

If you would like to speak to somebody the free NSPCC helpline for guidance and support is available 24 hours a day on 0800 023 2642.

The Offside Trust’s friends at Survivors Manchester (https://www.survivorsmanchester.org.uk/) and Samaritans (https://www.samaritans.org/) have help and support available if you need to talk.

If you think that a child is in immediate danger, please dial 999.

If you are a child who needs help, please call Childline on 0800 11 11.

For more information on The Offside Trust please visit their website on http://www.offsidetrust.com/