All Posts By

Martene Carroll

Martene Carroll
In Awards & Grants

Easter EGG-travaganza at JRF 

Easter Flyer Cropped

April 2023 

On Monday 3rd April JRF opened its doors at Bridgestone Arena, NW10 8LW, the ‘home’ of the Foundation since its launch in 2007, for an Easter Half Term Holiday programme for children and young people of Brent. 

Thanks to funding from Young Brent Foundation’s One Flow One Brent (OFOB) and Hyde Housing partnership, the Easter holiday programme will help to keep young people safe, connected, occupied, and active during the two week break from school. 

With a broad range of sports and activities on offer including Tennis, Football, Boxing, Dance, Golf, Basketball, and Teqball to name a few, as well as creative and personal development workshops, and opportunities for children to try out new sports, there is bound to be something for everyone.  

JRF offer an open access programme of activities to ensure everyone can take part and no-one is excluded.  

Thanks to funding through Brent Council You Decide Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL), activities for children and young people with physical and learning disabilities are being integrated alongside mainstream delivery through JRF’s ‘Inclusive Communities’ project, and incorporate a Buddy System, creating an ethos where everyone can take part equally, helping to break down barriers to participation so the children feel less marginalised and excluded. 

The half term programmes help to ensure children and young people have a safe place to go during the long summer holidays, where they can take part in sports and fun, affordable activities. JRF strive to give children opportunities to keep fit, active, and healthy whilst having the opportunity to socialise with their friends and make new ones, and enjoy new experiences through trips and excursions. 

Otis Roberts CEO at the Foundation said: ‘We are delighted to be able to offer Brent youth a space to be active and healthy during the school holidays. Sport is a great tool for engagement giving children a variety of activities to try out, whilst interacting and making friends. We are thankful to Young Brent Foundation, OFOB, and Hyde Housing for their continued support, and we look forward to our ongoing partnership.” 

With the spring sun shining brightly this is sure to be a fun and exciting Easter EGGtravanganza! 

For enquiries regarding the half term programme contact info@jasonrobertsfoundation.org with the subject ‘Easter 2023’. 

For enquiries regarding the Inclusive Communities project contact info@jasonrobertsfoundation.org with the subject ‘Inclusive Communities’. 

Follow the Jason Roberts Foundation social media channels @JasonRobertsFdn to keep up to date with all the news, ongoing activities, and new initiatives being delivered. 

Martene Carroll
In Awards & Grants

This Girl Can: New Sports Programme for Girls

This Girl Can Flyer

March 2023

JRF are pleased to announce a new Sports Programme specifically for girls – ‘This Girl Can’ an outreach programme to reframe sport and physical activity for girls, to tackle adolescent and teenage disengagement.

The project funded by Hyde Housing Association Ltd. Will involve relatable role models to expand the image of what ‘sporty’ looks like, and aims to offer activities that are exciting and appealing, to encourage more girls to take part.

The 6-month ‘This Girl Can’ project has been informed by the findings and recommendations from the Women in Sport’s 2022 Report, funded by Sport England “Reframing Sport for Teenage Girls: Tackling Teenage Disengagement” Published in March 2022. https://womeninsport.org/research-and-advice/our-publications/

JRF has consulted with their existing female participants, Youth Volunteers, and Coaches to understand their motivation for playing sport and participating in activities that are on offer, and conversely, what barriers thet face that stops them from playing sport.

Using the information learnt, and a better understanding of teenage girls’ lives and their relationship with sport and physical activity, as well as the wider issues they face, JRF will offer targeted sports and physical activity sessions for girls that pose no judgement, give girls a voice and a choice, and encourage girls to build sport and exercise into their existing habits.

If you are interested in joining the programme please email info@jasonrobertsfoundation.org with the subject header: This Girl Can.

Martene Carroll
In Events

JRF Unveil Inspire to Achieve Heritage Exhibition at Wembley Stadium

Inspire to Achieve Exhibition at Wembley Stadium

On Tuesday 14th March the JRF team welcomed a host of guests at Wembley Stadium for the official unveiling of their Inspire to Achieve Heritage Exhibition.

The special event marked the end of the year-long Inspire to Achieve project that culminated in the impressive Heritage Exhibition shown at the iconic Wembley Stadium. The display which features 15 panels over 6 feet in height with illustrations of former professional footballers including Eartha Pond, Jerome Thomas, Ricky Hill, Paul Merson, Dave Beasant and the late Cyrille Regis, celebrates the rich sporting heritage that has gone before.

Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players, the Inspire to Achieve Heritage Project uncovered the Histories of the Footballers who Paved the Way in the borough of Brent, and the afternoon’s celebratory event reflected on the impact of the programme.

Special guests included the Deputy Mayor of Brent, Cllr Orleen Hylton, Alex White from the Heritage Fund, the families of Luther Blissett and Jason Roberts, as well as some of the former professional footballers who have been the focus of this project including, Dave Regis, Rachel Yankey, Richard Langley, Mark and Brian Stein, and Jamal Campbell-Ryce.

Students from Lyon Park School who enjoyed visits from former pupils Gary Waddock and Jason Roberts, and Salvatorian College who received a visit from former pupils Richard Langley and Jamal Campbell-Ryce, joined the other guests and took to the stage to communicate to the audience, in their own words and extremely articulately, the impact the project has had on them, and how much they enjoyed the visits from the former footballers.

Stuart McLeod, Director England – London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We’re thrilled to have supported this inspiring project by the Jason Roberts Foundation, thanks to National Lottery players. It showcases the fantastic legacy of football in Brent and highlights its sporting heritage. The exhibition is a great way of bringing people together and inspiring the next generation of Eartha Ponds or Jerome Thomas’ to make their mark.”

Otis Roberts, CEO of the Foundation, acknowledged, “Without the buy-in by the players this Project would never have happened. Their commitment and dedication throughout has been invaluable.”

The former players who took to the stage spoke about how “humbled” they were to have been a part of the project, as well as the Exhibition at Wembley Stadium where Dave Regis recalled many hours spent training and being striking partners with Mark Stein eventually at Stoke City. Rachel Yankey remembered first playing in a boys team when she was young which was the start of her pathway into professional football, and that Dave Beasant also being a part of the project was especially meaningful as he had presented her with the first trophy she won. Richard Langley said he had no hesitation in being a part of the project when he was first approached by the team, and applauded the Foundation for the opportunities and experiences they continue to give people in the Brent community.

The project title, Inspire to Achieve, held special meaning for everyone involved in the programme, from JRF staff, the children and young people who took part, theHeritage Fund, key partners, stakeholders, and funders including the Football Association, the Professional Footballers Association, Higgins Partnerships, Brent Council, and Eversleigh LLP, as well as the players themselves, as speeches and conversations throughout the day were sprinkled with the words “inspirational” and “inspiring” and the importance of the Exhibition becoming a permanent feature at Wembley Stadium, the home of football, to inspire future visitors of the iconic arena.

View the Exhibition Event’s Match Day programme here: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFc6oCbtXk/ZOuSVIwIpiNQximPHaBgjA/view?utm_content=DAFc6oCbtXk&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=GG6i3MP0-w

To visit the exhibition – Go up the Olympic Stairs and then follow signs for Ticket Office.

Watch a short film providing an overview of the Inspire to Achieve Heritage programme here: https://we.tl/t-U2BkC1ne4K

Visit our website dedicated to the project here: https://www.inspire2achieve.co.uk

Martene Carroll
In Awards & Grants

JRF promote Positive Futures

Word Cloud

January 2023

In their continued bid to provide a wraparound service to support young people on their career pathways, the JRF Team were delighted to be awarded funding by the LHC Community Benefit Fund, in association with Locality.

The grant is to support JRF’s ‘Positive Futures’ project working with 16 – 25-year-olds to equip them with the information, resources, skills, and self-belief they need to enter the world of work, and to understand and manage their money, to plan for their future financial independence.

To a backdrop of multi-sports the young participants will attend a series of Life Coaching workshops involving practical money management sessions, healthy meals on a budget, as well as techniques to enhance their physical and mental health, self-confidence, and resilience.

The Career Coaching workshops will involve using CVs and LinkedIn to showcase skills, advice on how to create a positive impression, information about self-employment or starting a business, and preparing for interviews.

Martene Carroll, Business Development Manager said; “The overall message we hope to convey to our participants through the Positive Futures project, is for them to understand the importance of aiming high in their everyday lives, and for them to recognize how being proactive can help them to reach their future goals.”

If you are between 16 – 25-years of age and wish to participate on this programme please email martene@jasonrobertsfoundation.org

Martene Carroll
In News

A Focus on Climate for Brent Youth

Children planting pollinators

February 2023

JRF’s new Carbon Footprint Reduction Education Project got underway with young people developing skills and knowledge regarding climate change, through fortnightly Carbon Footprint Reduction Challenges, and a series of competitions and fun activities.

Funded by the CO₂Go Education Fund through Brent Council, the project aims to give young people the opportunity to learn more about the environment and the impact of climate change, and what steps they can take to reduce their carbon footprint.

As well as the Carbon Footprint Reduction Challenges, the project will engage young people through sport whilst ensuring key messages regarding climate change are delivered through Environmental Workshops.

Quarterly Climate Change Olympics will involve a series of competitions and fun activities including a speed litter picking ‘waste race’ and an environmental scavenger hunt.

The young participants have already got involved in a ‘Community Give Back’ day where local residents volunteered to pick up litter across the Stonebridge Estate, clean up the Community Centre, and plant pollinators in the raised wooden beds built and erected by a team from Groundwork London, led by Programme Manager, Adrian Osler.

Brent Council are focused on the borough playing it’s part in tackling climate change and improving air quality. By 2030 the aim is for Brent to be a carbon-neutral borough, and £500,000 has been provided to make resident’s homes more energy efficient and for community groups to run education programmes, such as JRF’s Carbon Footprint Reduction Education Project. They have installed over 21,000 energy efficient streetlights, fitted 515 electric vehicle charging points, planted 4533 trees, 22 wild-flower meadows, and bee corridors – all to help protect residents from harmful emissions.

JRF staff and volunteers, the young participants, and local residents, are all committed to contributing towards a cleaner, more attractive borough.

Martene Carroll
In News

Former professional footballers return to Salvo

Richard Langley and Jamal Campbell-Ryce

22nd February 2023

Article written by Adrian Creamer, Head of Physical Education and Head of Year 8 at Salvatorian College

On Wednesday 22nd February we had the great privilege of two former professional footballers who were former students at Salvatorian College, returning to the school to give an inspiring talk to Years 8 & 9. 

Richard Langley & Jamal Campbell-Ryce shared their experiences of being professional footballers and spoke about their current careers as a football agent and an elite football coach. They spoke about many issues surrounding the game including the importance of education, culture, engagement patters, racism and how to deal with setbacks and success.

The Q & A session led to some thoughtful and insightful questions from the audience which were expertly dealt with by Richard and Jamal. There was a real energy and buzz around the room during the session and afterwards.

The event was inspiring and motivating for students and staff members. Thank you to Jason Roberts Foundation for facilitating such an incredible day.

Note:

The visit formed part of the Foundation’s Inspire to Achieve project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.

To learn more see the website dedicated to the Heritage project https://www.inspire2achieve.co.uk

See a video overview of the project here https://vimeo.com/804377688

Martene Carroll
In News

Super Sundays go from strength to strength

Children playing golf

March 2023

With brighter weather the Sunday afternoon sport for all sessions delivered as part of the JRF’s ‘Inclusive Communities’ project, go from strength to strength with increasing numbers of children and young people attending.

The project is a sport for all programme for children aged 6 – 16-years-old with physical and learning disabilities (SEND) thanks to funding from Brent Council You Decide Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL).

Young participants are guided and encouraged in a range of sports and games by qualified coaches helping to break down barriers to participation for these children, and to enhance their involvement and enjoyment in physical activity.

In addition to the Sunday sessions the Foundation will work with local SEND Schools to offer some mid-term sports provision to support PE lessons and will host 3 Sports Days during the summer, bringing children together from different schools.

The half term and summer holiday sessions are  integrated alongside mainstream delivery and incorporate a Buddy System, creating an ethos where everyone can take part equally, helping the children to feel less marginalised and excluded.

There are mentors on hand to instil confidence and self-belief in the children to take part in and try new sports, helping them to overcome barriers, as well as helping them to ‘find their voice’ through media workshops via our Cultural Media Centre. For young people aged 14+ there are plans to support them on progression pathways to Apprenticeships, training, and work experience to enhance life skills and opportunities.

Other activities and excursions including a trip to the cinema, visiting JRF’s Inspire to Achieve Heritage Exhibition at Wembley Stadium, and participating in a community clean up to promote greener neighbourhoods and highlight the impact of climate change, help to enhance learning and experiences for the children.

Parents, Carers, and family members have been encouraged to form a Parents Active Group creating a support network, where they can meet socially, share ideas and information. The group have launched weekly dance sessions while their children enjoy the sports and games on offer. The Sunday afternoon sessions for 6 – 16-year-olds will run from 12:00 – 2:00 pm. For more information and to register your child please contact info@jasonrobertsfoundation.org

Martene Carroll
In Events

To Act or not to Act….

Winston Ellis

Friday 3rd February 2023

On Friday actor and martial arts expert Winston Ellis was in the hot seat as he shared his story with a packed room of young people and young adults at Bridgestone Arena, including Drama students from local schools.

The Real Talk session as part of JRF’s ‘Passport to Success’ Programme, delivered in partnership with Young Brent Foundation, and One Flow One Brent, gave young people who are considering exam options at school or future career pathways, heard from the actor as he gave a summary of his career and achievements to date.

The talk quickly turned into an interactive discussion with the audience who asked Winston about his journey to the big screen, the challenges he faced working with fellow actors Johnny Depp and Roger Moore and gave much more insight into the industry as a whole.

Winston, who started acting in the early 90s journeying from Reading, Berkshire to Hong Kong working with the likes of Jackie Chan and Jean Claude Van Damme, has since appeared in a number of Pirates of the Caribbean movies along with several high profile credits.

Winston gave some sound advice during his talk which captured the imagination of those looking to pursue a career in the arts, telling them “You have to fail to succeed”. He also stressed the importance of building self-belief and confidence to support you through life, whatever career pathway you choose, offering words of wisdom to young participants of the QPR Kicks Programme, before his departure.

Winston was joined by Sarah Jane Davis who is an actress and works in Special Effects, and added some words of wisdom to the young people on the night.

Sarah served in Iraq as a Lance Corporal in the British Army Aviation Unit known as the Army Air Corps (AAC) on the front line in 2003 as a landing point commander (LPC), fundamentally supporting the war effort to liberate Iraq.

Born in Hammersmith in London Sarah started in theatre and then modelling when she was cast for her military abilities in the film “How I Live Now”. From there she has been behind and in front of the camera, stunt driving on Sky Active channel and various commercials. Sarah undertook acting classes, and performance acting with the Soldiers Arts Academy (SAA), and did theatre in the West End (The Other Palace Theatre), for a whole run with “Soldier On”, raising awareness for veterans with PTSD in 2018.

The ‘Passport to Success’ project which is funded by Young Brent Foundation and One Flow One Brent, aims to give young people an insight into a wide range of industries, and to arm then with the skills needed to compete in the world of work.

Winston will be back at Box Park Wembley for a workshop and discussion in April. Dates to be confirmed. 

If you are interested in attending a future session, please contact the Foundation at info@jasonrobertsfoundation.org with the subject header: Passport to Success.

Martene Carroll
In Events

JRF host Community Health & Wellbeing Day

Health Checks Underway

29th January 2023

On Sunday 29th January the JRF Team hosted a community Health & Wellbeing Day to celebrate and promote the launch of their ‘Our Time Zone’ project, a multi-sport, social, and health club for adults, funded by You Decide Brent Health Matters.

The free to attend event was held at Bridgestone Arena, and gave  attendees the opportunity to speak with a range of professionals and experts in their field about health-related issues that can affect our everyday lives.

Over 100 people of all ages attended with a large number of women due to the event coinciding with a women’s football tournament taking place.

The Brent Health Matters Team were present throughout the day, and a Clinical Team led by Andre Nolan provided attendees with health MOTs which encompassed weight and BMI, and blood pressure checks.

There were health talks and advice on a range of issues covering mental wellbeing, nutrition, diabetes, general wellbeing, and foot care.

Thanks to Andre and the Team for making it such an informative and constructive event.

We look forward to the next one in April.

About the ‘Our Time Zone’ Club

The ‘Our Time Zone’ Club offers adults a range of sports, games, and activities to suit all ages and abilities on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings including a Walking Club, Walking Football, Table Tennis, Boxing/Sparring, Badminton, Golf, Pool, Chair exercises, Yoga, Book Club, board games, and refreshments.

On Sundays there are ‘Let’s Talk Health’ information sessions through local health and support services including Diabetes, Prostrate & Breast Cancer Awareness, Heart Health, NHS Cessation services, Mental Health & Bereavement, Vaccination (including Covid-19) and Screening Services, Nutrition Advice, and signposting to other local services. Throughout the project there will also be community events and Walking Football Tournaments held on Sundays.

‘Meet your Local GP’ sessions will give participants not already registered with a GP surgery the opportunity to do so as well as benefit from On-Site Health Checks including Blood Pressure, cholesterol, weight/BMI, and skin checks.

The ‘Our Time Zone’ club gives adults the opportunity to come together socially in a community setting and enjoy a range of activities.

For more information regarding this and other JRF projects please contact info@jasonrobertsfoundation.org

What is Brent Health Matters?

The goal of the Brent Health Matters Programme is to reduce health inequalities in Brent.

Health inequalities are avoidable, unfair and systematic differences in health between different groups of people.

Our shared programme will be looking to engage with the community on a number of wide-ranging issues to reduce the health inequalities experienced in Brent.

https://www.brent.gov.uk/adult-social-care/health-and-wellbeing/brent-health-matters#whatisbrenthealthmatters

Martene Carroll
In Events

Stories to Inspire future Generations

Interview panel

27th January 2023

In January former QPR star Richard Langley and Norman Mullings, the Chairman of Learie Constantine Centre got together to share stories with the audience and look at how the culture of football helped to define individuals and communities.

The evening, which was an event linked to JRF’s Inspire to Achieve Heritage project, gave insight into Richards inspirational father Mike Langley who, with his brother Alfred Langley and friends Murray Armoury and Paul Kidson, founded Learie Constantine FC in 1976, to give opportunities for black players to play football. The club was named after famous Trinidadian-British cricketeer and activist Baron Learie Constantine, Britain’s first black peer, who died in 1971.

Norman Mullings, a well-respected community figure, was at the forefront of that initiative as he and his business partner Phil Cellie gave permission for the club to train at the Learie Constantine Community centre they had established in Willesden, north-west London – a safe space where local black residents would congregate.

The Intergenerational Memory Café was part of the Foundation’s Inspire to Achieve project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players, and the audience had lots of questions especially from the aspiring footballers in the room who wanted  to tap into Richards knowledge and experience, firstly as a footballer and more recently as an agent looking after some of the next generation of talent in the game.

Radio presenter, DJ and comedian Geoff Schumann was on hand to lead on the interviews and also in attendance was Watford FC legend Luther Blissett’s sister Dinah, who spoke fondly of her memories of the social club that is having a new community centre built with occupancy expected in late 2023. 

Learie Constantine FC grew from one team to three due to the demand and eventually closed in 2015.

The Intergeneration Memory Café highlighted to the audience how former semi-professional and professional footballers as well as community figures, paved the way in the borough of Brent, and the challenges they faced and overcame, to inspire futures generations.

A Huffington Post Article ‘These All-Black Football Clubs Fought Against Racism. What Happened To Them?’ gives more insight into the history behind the Learie Constantine Football Club

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/all-black-football-clubs_uk_

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