James Ditchfield - Ditchie, to us - is the kind of person that embodies the spirit of Everton in the Community.
Last month marked 20 years since he joined the charity and the number of people he has helped - both participants and fellow members of staff is countless.
He has a heart of gold, he is a lifelong Evertonian and he is a ferocious supporter of all-things EitC. It’s fair to say he lives and breathes the place.
Ditchie lives with cerebral palsy and epilepsy and has taken on various roles during his volunteering journey at EitC, which, as he will tell you, has helped to significantly boost his self-confidence, whilst simultaneously enabling him to provide young people with a whole host of opportunities he wasn't afforded, including football coaching children with cerebral palsy.
He has supported so many different projects over the years, though. As well as the football coaching, among other pursuits, he currently helps to deliver our E-STEAM initiative at the charity’s Digital Skills Lab and in local partnered schools across Liverpool City Region.
He's also had success playing for our decorated Pan Disability D Band team, which even led him to being part of Everton and hummel’s ‘More Than Eleven’ 2020/21 third kit launch campaign.
Ditchie has always enjoyed trying new things and is constantly looking to develop his skills. He takes time and care to get things right before putting himself out there to help and support other people in our sessions.
He continues to be an inspiration and a great friend to many of us.
By Mick King, EitC’s Senior Manager – Education and Pathways
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