Creating Opportunities
Established by Rio Ferdinand in 2012, the Rio Ferdinand Foundation is a social mobility charity that was born out of Rio’s personal experiences of inequality growing up in Peckham, South London. This personal connection drives our mission to work with young people in the heart of the most under-resourced communities in the UK and internationally, delivering genuine social change.
Working nationally across the UK and Ireland, with hubs in Manchester, London, Belfast and Sligo, the Rio Ferdinand Foundation is leading a movement to counter limiting societal beliefs that drive social justice and social mobility.
Our global partnership network is a collective force dedicated to promoting equality, empowering young people, and facilitating positive social change. Together, we create opportunities for young people to develop skills, build networks, and access paths that enable them to reach their full potential in life.
Led by Experience
“Growing up as a young black man from a working-class family in South London, I had to work hard to disrupt the status quo, carve out opportunities for myself and overcome barriers to success.
But I didn’t do it alone. I had a strong support network who encouraged me to strive and achieve, to be best version of myself.”
”It’s that support network that we are creating for our young people.”
- Rio Ferdinand
Our Values
