Houghton took time out to visit CITC’s female BTEC programme for a Q&A, before watching the students compete in a birthday themed shooting challenge.
The charity launched its month-long 35th anniversary campaign last week, which will accumulate in a matchday takeover at City’s Premier League home match with Crystal Palace on Saturday, October 30.
Commenting on the visit, Houghton said: “I’ve absolutely loved it.
“It’s great that after training we can come down and see the programmes that City in the Community is delivering and how much the girls enjoy it.
“It’s pretty cool I think for CITC to be celebrating 35 years of putting back into the community across so many different areas in Manchester. It’s what this club is all about; giving back to the people that support us and the community around us.
“For us as players to be able to come down and enjoy a part of that, and celebrate CITC’s birthday, it’s a special moment.”
Since its inception in 1986, Manchester City’s Official Foundation has been empowering better lives through football across Greater Manchester.
Reaching thousands of people each season, CITC continues to deliver award-winning programmes all with health, education and inclusion benefits.
BTEC participant, Eva Carney, was thrilled to see the Manchester City and England Defender at her session.
She said: “Meeting Steph was amazing!
“I’ve been injured for a while, so haven’t been able to join in the practical sessions, but to hear from Steph all about her career journey has been really uplifting.
“The City in the Community staff always go out of their way to ensure we’re given the best opportunities possible in education and employability, so we’d all like to say a massive thank you and happy birthday on an incredible 35 years!”
Throughout City in the Community’s 35th celebration, supporters can look forward to:
• Bonus CityTV features from player programme visits
• Chances to win through a #CITC35 social media competition
• Matchday celebrations such as Fan Zone stations, in-stadium Prize Draws and live interviews, as well as bonus experiences for CITC participants
• The chance to purchase signed player items via auctions
• Matchday Live features.
In its 35th year, CITC is committed to supporting positive mental health amongst young people in Manchester via our new programme, City Thrive.
Every penny raised in the month of October will go towards supporting this programme, which was developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to help provide support for thousands of people aged 14 to 25.
In Manchester, the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s mental health was highlighted as a major concern amongst carers and parents.
To help tackle this, a dedicated team has developed a new mental health curriculum, blending specially adapted football sessions with one-to-one mentoring and group workshops on mental health awareness, to improve mental wellbeing.
Additionally, specific mental health themed football sessions will be delivered from youth clubs across Manchester, enabling participants to enjoy physical activity whilst also accessing the benefits of one-to-one mentoring and group workshops.
Win a signed Kevin De Bruyne shirt!
City in the Community is inviting people who have encountered the charity over the last 35 years to share a favourite memory or special moment using #CITC35 on social media.
All accounts which post in the month of October will be placed into a prize draw for a signed Kevin De Bruyne shirt!
Whether you’re a previous or current participant, staff member or fundraiser – we want to hear from you!
