Palace for Life Foundation’s Divert programme was named Community Project of the Year at the 2020 London Football Awards (LFA) last night.
Divert, a Metropolitan Police custody intervention programme, works with under-25s who have been arrested and aims to get them back into employment and training. A Palace for Life coach is based in the Croydon Custodial Suite and has discussions with anyone under-25, before referring them to other Foundation programmes depending on their interests and hobbies.
Wilfried Zaha, who visited Croydon Custody Suite late last year to see the programme in action, said: “I was really impressed with Divert, it was good to hear that the club and Foundation are looking out for people when they’re at their lowest point.