All Posts By

Martene Carroll

Paul Merson Inspires audience at BOXPARK Wembley

Paul Merson at BOXPARK Wembley

On the evening of Monday 13th June 2022 tables at BOXPARK Wembley filled with 400 guests young and old, to hear the inspirational story of Paul Merson’s journey from Harlesden in Brent to the national pitches of the Premier League, as well as the International stage, earning 21 Caps for England.

As part of the Jason Roberts Foundation Inspire to Achieve Heritage Programme, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to National Lottery players, the project will uncover the untold stories of 18 footballers from Brent who paved the way for future sportspeople, and will produce exhibitions, talks, and memory cafes along the way.

Paul answered questions from freelance sports broadcaster Pippa Monique and football commentator and pundit for Sky Sports Dickie Davies with humour and honesty. Michael Adams from JRF’s Cultural Media Centre followed the professionals, and Heritage Youth Ambassadors Eyadd and Yunis demonstrated their journalistic ability on the stage in front of the packed audience.

Former professional footballer, manager, and sports television pundit for Sky Sports, Paul talked openly about the highs and lows of his professional career, starting as an Apprentice at Arsenal in 1984, before his debut for the Gunners on 22 November 1986 against Manchester City.

During the evening Paul was presented with a personally penned shirt by his former youth teammates from Forest United, the first club he played for, who celebrate their 50th anniversary next year.

Amongst the audience were some of Paul’s former teammates from Arsenal, the Mayor of Brent Cllr. Abdi Aden, Chief Executive of Brent Council Carolyn Downs, and Leader of the Council Muhammed Butt.

Otis Roberts, CEO of the JRF said of the evening; “”To have someone of Paul’s calibre as part of our Inspire to Achieve project is an honour. He is an asset to any team. Young people and future sportspeople can learn a lot from him.”

He went on to say; “We are very grateful to BOXPARK Wembley for hosting this event, Christian Klapp founder of Eversleigh LLP for sponsoring the evening, Laura Ashby from Quintain, and of course the National Lottery Heritage Fund for giving us the opportunity to uncover these untold stories so they can be preserved for current and future generations, and we hope they too will be Inspired to Achieve their dreams and goals.”

Picnic on the pitch at Wembley for Big Jubilee Lunch

Queens Platinum Jubilee English Logo
England legends Sir Geoff Hurst and Karen Carney have announced plans for a huge community event at Wembley Stadium to take place on Thank You Day, the final day of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Thank You Day is being held this year on Sunday 5 June, to coincide with the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The Stein Brothers Inspire youngsters to Achieve

Stein Brothers Memory Cafe Digital Flyer

On Wednesday 15th December, the JRF Team hosted the first Memory Café Event as part of the Inspire to Achieve Heritage Project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The Stein brothers – Brian, Edwin, and Mark – shared their truly inspiring story of the journey they travelled from their home in Cape Town to Brent and their individual careers as professional footballers.

The event at Bridgestone Arena which was also broadcast online via Zoom was launched with an opening ceremony including a dance performance from Shaq, who delivers dance training sessions for the Foundation, and a group of local youngsters, to a backdrop of the England and South African flags being waved.

Thanks to National Lottery players, the exciting new project will uncover the untold stories of 18 footballers from Brent who paved the way for future sportspeople, and will produce exhibitions, talks, and memory cafes during the term of the project, and beyond.

Young people from Brent will benefit from the Inspire to Achieve project by honing their media, presenting, and production skills and will have the opportunity to meet and interview the former players as part of the collation of their oral histories.

Some of the subjects the brothers discussed included living in Brent, school days, dealing with racism, and ending their footballing careers.

Bite size Vodcasts with highlights from the evening can be accessed via the new CMC website here https://cmc.jasonrobertsfoundation.com/heritage

Minibus Donation for Foundation

Minibus

The JRF Team were over the moon to receive a donation from a generous benefactor to purchase a minibus to support their work for the benefit of the local community.

The 14-seater minibus is a long-sought after attribute for the Foundation to aid the community outreach they do across Brent and will enable coaches and volunteers to be driven to different wards, parks, and green spaces across the borough to deliver sports sessions and community events.

The vehicle will complement some of the Foundation’s work and will enable participants of the JRF funded projects to be transported to Bridgestone Arena, the home of the Foundation since the launch in 2007, or to other venues for away-days, trips, and tournaments so they can experience other activities.

The London-based Architecture Practice (that has chosen to remain anonymous), was introduced to the Foundation and was impressed by the work they do in the local community. They supported some youth delivery over the summer with a donation, and subsequently chose to offer a larger donation to sponsor the purchase of the minibus.

Otis Roberts, CEO of the Foundation said; “The addition of this minibus will make a huge difference to our offer. It is something we have aspired to for several years but there are rarely funding opportunities available to purchase a capital asset of this value. We are very grateful to our sponsor for their kind and magnanimous support.”

JRF Launch Cultural Media Centre Website

Cultural Media Centre Logo

Following the official launch in January 2021 of JRF’s new ‘Cultural Media Centre’ (CMC) situated at Bridgestone Arena, the home of the Foundation since its launch in 2007, JRF are thrilled to announce the launch of the CMC Website.

The newly created CMC website can be accessed directly https://cmc.jasonrobertsfoundation.com/ or via the JRF website www.jasonrobertsfoundation.com through the Media Centre at the top of the page.

The CMC was borne, in part, as a response to the ongoing pandemic and the need of the Foundation team to find creative ways to stay in contact with and continue to support their local community.

Equipment to resource the studio was funded through grants awarded to JRF from the London Community Response Fund and Trustees of Wembley National Stadium Trust, and the Edward Harvist Trust Fund, as well as donations and refurbishment by local firm C&C Builders Ltd.

The new CMC website will house all media output including podcasts, videos, events, and CMC Radio, and will cover areas including Careers, Education Environment, Health, Heritage, JRF Projects, Sport, The Arts, and Youth Voices.

The CMC provides a platform where “everyone has a voice” and offers a vital connection in these disconnected times, and the CMC website will enable those voices to be shared to a wider audience.

 

JRF continue to connect communities

Greeting Elders at Event

On Sunday 5th December the JRF Team once again opened their doors at the Bridgestone Arena, to welcome the older residents of Brent for a special community event.

As part of the Foundation’s commitment to engage and support members of the community who may be isolated or lonely, JRF hosted a day of sports, music, games, and refreshments specifically for the older people in Brent.

The initiative which forms part of JRF’s Building Communities project, funded by the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) enabled residents to connect or reconnect with friends, and neighbours.

The JRF team were delighted by the turn out as the hall soon filled with the lively chat and laughter of those who attended. Information was provided about the other activities offered through the Building Communities project including flower arranging, online chair-based exercise sessions for those with limited mobility, sports, fitness, and yoga sessions at the centre, and, more recently, a book club.

A short video of the event can be viewed via the Cultural Media Centre Website https://cmc.jasonrobertsfoundation.com/events-2

For more information about JRF activities and events please follow us on social media #JasonRobertsFdn or contact us for more details on info@jasonrobertsfoundation.org

JRF & Brent Council Climate Cup 2021

Climate discussion

On Wednesday 8th December JRF were pleased to again work in partnership with Brent Council on hosting a new initiative, the Climate Cup, a free Football Tournament for 14 – 21-year-olds. 

Teams competed for the Climate Cup 2021 Trophy, and off the pitch they had the opportunity to learn more about climate change and the small, everyday things we can all do to try to try to halt it.

Climate change and environmental sustainability are subjects that the young people of Brent have shown a keen interest in. During the round-table discussions they demonstrated a good knowledge of the issues we all face in the fight to stop further damage to our planet, understanding the impact this would have on them and future generations.

During the evening refreshments were provided and prizes were given to some of the deserving competitors. The winning team raised the Climate Cup 2021 trophy at the end of the football tournament, but everyone who attended agreed that Climate change is an issue we all must win.

Read the Brent Council press release here https://www.brent.gov.uk/council-news/december-2021/climate-change-meets-football/

Watch a short video of the event here https://vimeo.com/660129830

View other Podcasts and Videos via the Cultural Media Centre website here https://cmc.jasonrobertsfoundation.com/events-2

 

 

JRF Feature in PFA 4ThePlayer Magazine

PFA Logo

The Jason Roberts Foundation has recently featured in the 35th edition of the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) 4ThePlayer magazine.

In a four-page spread from pages 16 – 19, the article features an interview with JRF CEO Otis Roberts – Jason Robert’s Uncle and a former footballer – who talks about the journey over the last 14-years from when the charity was launched in 2007, up to today and the success in supporting marginalised communities in the borough of Brent and Grenada, in the Caribbean.

The PFA has been instrumental in ensuring the successful launch of the Foundation and the Community Team have been a source of information and support for more than a decade, working on several initiatives including sport, health, education, and careers.

The PFA Charity has recently awarded JRF with a grant to support the newly launched Inspire to Achieve Heritage Project (funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund), which will uncover the histories of Footballers who paved the way for current players.

The PFA helps any player who is interested in launching their own Player Foundation and the JRF team are grateful for their continued support.

If you would like to see a digital copy of the magazine, please contact martene@jasonrobertsfoundation.org and we will be happy to email this to you.

JRF Launch Inspire to Achieve Heritage Project

Group shot at Launch of Heritage Projet

On Wednesday 17th November JRF launched the new Inspire to Achieve Heritage project: Uncovering the Histories of the Footballers who Paved the Way in the borough of Brent including Paul Merson, Dave Beasant, Rachel Yankey, Richard Langley, the Stein brothers – Mark, Edwin, and Brian, Jason Roberts, Luther Blissett, Phillip Ifil, Jerel Ifil, Dale Banton, Dave Regis, Ricky Hill, Gary Waddock, Darren Currie, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Jerome Thomas, Junior Lewis, Eartha Pond, and the family of the late Cyrille Regis.

The Inspire to Achieve Launch Event was held at Bridgestone Arena against the backdrop of the home of English football, the iconic Wembley Stadium.

Guests enjoyed hearing from Patricia Lichst, Engagement Manager for the National Lottery Heritage Fund, New PFA Chief Executive Maheta Molango, along with UCFB’s President of GIS Sharona Friedman, representatives from The Rise Trust, Brent Schools – who will represent a key link in the project, and Youth Ambassadors from JRF.

Thanks to National Lottery players, the exciting new project will uncover the untold stories of 18 footballers from Brent who paved the way for future sportspeople, and will produce exhibitions, talks, and memory cafes along the way.

An emotional Mark and Brian Stein paid tribute to their late father, while Jamaica international Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Eartha Pond, and Jerome Thomas hailed the need for such history to be uncovered.

Young people from Brent will benefit from the Inspire to Achieve project by honing their media, presenting, and production skills and will have the opportunity to meet and interview the former players as part of the collation of their oral histories.

Visits to the areas these former footballers lived, to the schools they attended when they were young, the parks and green spaces across the Borough where they may have first kicked a ball, and observing their views on the changes that have taken place through the regeneration of the area, will play a massive part in uncovering the authentic stories that will stay will us and be recorded and archived in our museums and libraries.

Otis Roberts, CEO of the Foundation commented, “JRF would like to thank the National Lottery Heritage Fund for believing in the project. Thanks to National Lottery players they have provided the opportunity for us to uncover these authentic stories from some of the unsung heroes of the game, some of whom arrived in Brent from distant shores and who achieved so much. These untold stories will be preserved for current and future generations, and we hope they too will be Inspired to Achieve their dreams and goals.”

He went on to say, “Brent is the home of Wembley Stadium which hosts major football matches, but the borough does not have a professional club in the area. It’s fitting that this project remembers and celebrates the players that paved the way for the likes of Raheem Sterling and Yannick Bolasie who were both raised in this wonderful borough.”

Watch a short video of the evening here https://vimeo.com/651149884/e2727f4ecc

Photos Credit eyeSam.co.uk

Cultural Media Centre gives a voice to Brent residents

Cultural Media Centre Launch Event flyer

November 10th was the launch night for the new Cultural and Media Centre (CMC) at the Jason Roberts Foundation (JRF). The evening was dedicated to informing every individual at our centre, ranging from children to adults about how the new CMC provides a platform where everyone has a voice, especially during the disconnected times we have faced, during the pandemic, which sees a shift to more online ways of communicating.

The launch night highlighted the opportunities within the CMC, for example, photography, engagement, media, and film. This centre’s aim is to help individuals learn new skills and credentials as well as offer enjoyable media activities that are on offer at the same time.

The JRF held multiple interactive workshops with children of all ages and backgrounds so that they could discuss opportunities. Additionally, displaying the new full green screen studio, microphones, and multiple photographic types of equipment available, with the aim to promote the different career opportunities within the media industry whilst inspiring the young generation.

Many of the individuals that attended the evening, reported positively to the CMC; one Brent teenager expressed that she was very ‘excited’; and another young person stated that they ‘couldn’t wait to get started’ as they were extremely impressed by the new media opportunities the centre is now providing them, as these resources (and Media Courses) are not provided by their schools.

In addition, a small number of Brent youths have launched a new podcast, ‘Kids Talk’ which has become quite popular around the centre; this podcast encourages young people to discuss any relevant topic, no matter how big or small, such as disputes with siblings, COVID-19, and sport. This illustrates the opportunities and freedom these individuals will get due to the CMC that possibly wouldn’t be offered elsewhere.

The JRF encourages and welcomes everyone to come along and explore these amazing new resources available to help provide skills and opportunities to them.

Written by Georgia Winters – UCFB Student