LONDON City Lionesses footballer Maddi Wilde recently invited a former client of homelessness charity ALABARÉ for a kickabout.

The 20-year-old defender and charity ambassador invited Chloe to the Women’s Super League team’s training ground at Cobdown Park in Aylesford for a tour of the facilities.

Football fan Chloe moved into ALABARÉ’s supported living accommodation after finding herself homeless. She gained confidence, took part in wellbeing activities and learned skills to live independently.

Chloe previously played locally and has just qualified for her Level 1 and 2 FA football coaching badges. She is a regular at Salisbury Football Club which has partnered with ALABARÉ to fund alcohol addiction programmes.

She said: “Football’s always been my escape from life, I love the sport. I was homeless and a victim of financial abuse. From there, I found ALABARÉ, worked with them and got support, and today, I’m here. It’s been an incredible, whirlwind journey.”

Maddi added: “When I was first told about Chloe’s story, it’s so incredible the resilience and the mental strength that she’s shown. Talking to someone and having the right people around is so important, to have the people that you know you can go to for anything.

“It was an absolute pleasure to show Chloe around and hear about how ALABARÉ’s making a real difference in providing homes, restoring hearts, and empowering minds.

“I’m really proud to be an ambassador for the charity and was so pleased to hear how they’re helping people turn their lives around every single day.”

Chloe had a tour of the grounds.

Chloe was over the moon to receive a shirt signed by the London City Lionesses.

ALABARÉ has 70 bed spaces for young people aged 16 to 25 at risk of homelessness across Wiltshire and Hampshire, along with 16 places for young parents and their babies.

Many of those have experienced trauma, family breakdown, involvement in crime and county lines networks, substance misuse and mental health concerns.

To support ALABARÉ’s work with young people visit https://alabare.co.uk/homelessness-get-involved/donate/