Inspirasia Foundation and the Annika Linden Centre welcome Gary Neville in Bali
Gary Neville with YPK Bali’s students
Former Manchester United player Gary Neville has visited the Annika Linden Centre, a centre of excellence and hub for non-profit social activities and philanthropy in Bali.
Mr Neville was invited by Inspirasia and Iniala Founder Mark Weingard to witness first-hand how business and philanthropy can work together to create social change.
The Annika Linden Centre is home to PUSPADI Bali, DNetwork and YPK Bali, local non-profit organisations that collaborate to offer a one-stop-shop for people with disabilities in Bali. These three organisations, together with YRS Bali - who set up a mobile clinic at the Centre every month - are all supported by Inspirasia Foundation.
Mr Neville was fascinated by the place after being given a tour of the centre and the services offered. He was shown PUSPADI’s workshop - where prosthetics and orthotics are created from scratch, YPK’s classroom, therapy room and gym, as well as their bracelet making studio for their Bali Bello programme.
“It’s an incredible place. Very rarely do you go to places that are so well coordinated and connected… in terms of the support given from the very beginning of the journey [of the people with disabilities], until everything at the end, which is connecting them with employment.”
Gary Neville with PUSPADI staff at the PUSPADI prosthetic workshop
Gary Neville playing football with a prosthesis user
While on the tour, Mr Neville also interacted with many of the organisations’ staff and beneficiaries. He shared some motivational words with two DNetwork users who are both blind, and he also gave advice to everyone on leadership, the purpose of life and the importance of passion, hard work and ethics in becoming a great team player. The football star brought his coaching and footballing skills back into action during a light ball passing activity with YPK’s students, as well as a coaching session with PUSPADI’s staff and clients that use prosthetics.
All the organisations’ staff and clients that were present on the day were ecstatic to have met the football star and were inspired by his encouraging words and advice. However, they were not the only ones feeling inspired at the end of the day, as Gary Neville himself praised the Annika Linden Centre and all the work being done there.
“The people here are fantastic. You’ve combined skills with compassion, and emotional support with education, all in one place. Wonderful work by everybody involved.”