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Awards & Grants

Martene Carroll
In Awards & Grants, Events

JRF launch Players’ Project Pilot

Former professional footballers DJ Campbell, Jason Roberts, Jamie Lawrence, and Mark Stein together on stage

Friday 30th May

The Jason Roberts Foundation (JRF) is proud to be working closely with ten footballers, from emerging academy talents to respected former professionals, in delivering the new Players’ Project Pilot, a programme supported by the Premier League and the Professional Footballer’s Association (PFA).

The Players’ Project Pilot forms a key part of JRF’s ongoing mission to create long-lasting, meaningful engagement between footballers and their communities. Delivered in collaboration with the Premier League and the PFA, the pilot supports current and former players in leading projects that reconnect them with the youth in their local areas, whether through football or wider community programmes.

At the heart of this initiative is the belief that players can be powerful role models beyond the pitch. Each of the ten players involved brings their own story, experience, and commitment to using their platform for good. Working within a shared framework shaped collaboratively by the Foundation, the Premier League, and the PFA, the Players’ Project Pilot seeks to deliver impactful, locally led projects focused on youth empowerment, social inclusion, and personal development.

This mission was brought to life at the Players’ Project Pilot launch event, hosted by the Foundation on Friday, 30 May 2025. The evening brought together participating players, young people, and members of the community to celebrate the start of the pilot and spotlight the players’ commitment to giving back. A standout moment of the evening saw young volunteers from the Foundation interviewing the ex-players, showcasing JRF’s ongoing dedication to putting youth voices at the forefront.

Former Premier League striker Mark Stein, who now works closely with children with special educational needs (SEN), spoke about the role sport plays in building confidence and inclusion, and how his current work brings him great enjoyment. 

Jamie Lawrence reflected on his time working with young offenders, describing how helping others turn their lives around gave him purpose. “I want to help young men become men,” he shared, a sentiment that resonated deeply with the audience.

DJ Campbell spoke on the importance of being physically present within the community. “Talk is cheap,” he said. “Actually, being here, showing up, is what matters most.”

JRF’s founder Jason Roberts, MBE also shared his post-playing journey and the life lessons football has given him, discipline, teamwork, and resilience, which he now channels into his work with young people. “Football gave me a framework for life,” he said. “And sharing that with young people, hoping it stays with them, is something I care deeply about.”

In addition to the former professional footballers, the Mayor Brent, Cllr Ryan Hack attended the official launch of the project, as well as Riz Rehman, Player Inclusion Executive at the PFA, and Sharona Friedman from the Global Institute of Sport.  

Reflecting on the launch, JRF CEO Otis Roberts said:

“It’s a fantastic programme. To see what players are doing off the pitch, their contribution is invaluable. Huge thanks to the Premier League and the PFA for supporting this and allowing us to be part of the pilot, and sincere thanks to the ten players for their commitment.”

The launch event marked a powerful beginning to the Players’ Project Pilot and reinforced the value of player-led community engagement rooted in purpose, collaboration, and lived experience.

A video overview of the launch event can be viewed here https://vimeo.com/1091702498

Martene Carroll
In Awards & Grants

JRF to launch new Players’ Project Pilot, supported by the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association

Premier League & Professional Footballers' Association logo

April 2025

The Jason Roberts Foundation (JRF) is launching a new Players’ Project Pilot, supported by the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA).

The Players’ Project Pilot aims to build stronger connections between players, communities and football clubs by putting players at the heart of local projects that help tackle inequalities, raise aspirations, develop thriving communities, and inspire positive change.

JRF will work closely with ten former, current, and Academy footballers to deliver the Players’ Legacy Project to connect with underrepresented groups from the local Brent area, and create long-lasting, meaningful engagement between footballers and their communities.

Founder of the JRF, Jason Roberts, MBE said; “It’s thanks to the support from the Premier League and the PFA, and the commitment from the players to be a part of the Players’ Project Pilot, that we are going to continue to be able to support young people.”

He urged the young audience to keep coming back and being a part of the programme because “what you will learn on the pitch and from the players involved will change your lives, whether in football or something else.”

Open to professional football club charities and player foundations, the Players’ Project Pilot will harness players personal interests to help address important societal issues.

Premier League Director of Community, Nick Perchard, said: “The Players’ Project Pilot is a powerful initiative that places players at the heart of community work, allowing them to use their influence to make a real difference.

“By combining players’ passions with the proven delivery of professional football club charities, this funding will respond to local need and create meaningful impact that extends far beyond the pitch.”

Professional Footballers’ Association Chief Executive, Maheta Molango, said: “Supporting the work that our members do in their communities has always been a priority for the PFA and I’ve personally enjoyed seeing the impact that they have and the way they use their platform.

“I know from conversations with players that they want to use their position to highlight work in their communities that really matters to them and where they feel that personal connection.

“We’ve been keen to give them opportunities to do that, and the Players’ Project Pilot is an excellent way of growing that connection between our members and the work they do off the pitch.”

In addition to the Players’ Project Pilot delivered by the Jason Roberts Foundation, the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) will be investing in a further 16 projects across England and Wales. Each charity has received a grant of up to £25,000 from the Premier League and PFA, which will be distributed by the Premier League Charitable Fund.

Funded projects within the pilot have been designed to positively impact people of all ages and include intergenerational activities designed to support female carers, inclusive initiatives for people living with dementia and intervention programmes devised to tackle child criminal exploitation. 

To find out more, please visit www.premierleague.com

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

About the Players’ Project Pilot, supported by the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association

The Players’ Project Pilot is a year-long pilot project that aims to build stronger connections between players, football clubs and their local communities.

The Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) are investing £375,000 over Seasons 2024/25 and 2025/26 into 17 player-led initiatives that help tackle inequalities, raise aspirations and inspire positive change in communities across England and Wales.

Grants between £12,500 and £25,000 are being made available to club charities in the Premier League and English Football League as well as Player Foundations.

Funding will be distributed by the Premier League Charitable Fund.

Martene Carroll
In Awards & Grants, News

New year, new you

Staff being trained to do health checks

Co-production Training underway

Monday 16th December 2024

Last night JRF kicked off their latest initiative at Bridgestone Arena, a Community Health co-production offer in collaboration with Brent Health Matters (BHM) team.

Andre Nolan, Clinical lead from BHM delivered a one-hour training workshop to local residents and JRF staff as part of the new programme to empower communities to take the early health screening into their own hands.

The aim of the programme is offering the community base rate health assessments including height and weight measurements to determine Body Mass Index (BMI), and blood pressure checks, and diabetic risk scores to help residents and local user groups to monitor their health on a regular basis.

Bridgestone Arena has hosted many health events and initiatives over the last eighteen months and through these weekly health checks the JRF and BHM teams aim to raise awareness of the importance of regular testing and inspire the community to make small changes in their everyday lives including exercise and healthier eating and lifestyle options to achieve life enhancing results.

Andre Nolan commented on his team’s involvement in the programme saying, “BHM will be supporting JRF in evaluating the impacts of the initiative by providing guidance on baseline measurements, and the effect of exercise, physical activity, and nutrition advice on an individual’s general wellbeing. We hope this will result in the prevention of some minor and major health issues that plague our community.”

Martene Carroll, Business Development Manager for JRF said; “We hope pre-existing social and familial health inequalities will be reduced and improve social capital through this investment in the health and wellbeing of future generations.”

Martene Carroll
In Awards & Grants, News

JRF awarded grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Connie Henry MBE, Lorna Falconer, Jawahir 'JJ' Roble MBE

The Jason Roberts Foundation has received a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant of £144,370.00 for an exciting heritage project ‘Empower to Achieve’ in Brent. Made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, the project will trace the Ancestry of Women in Sport of Caribbean, Indian, and Somali Heritage.

Supported through The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project will enable local young people discover the origins and explore the history of women including, amongst others, Celeste Stevens, Lorna Falconer, Jawahir ‘JJ’ Roble, MBE, and Connie Henry, MBE. all working in different areas of the sports industry, including Football Clubs, competition, officiating, broadcasting, media, and charity.

JRF is an organisation that works with young people and creates opportunities for them to flourish and grow and through this project young people from across Brent will gain a deeper insight into the history of Women in Sport, as well as teaching them valuable new skills in Media, Presenting, Broadcasting, Photography and Videography, Film Making, curating, and archiving to use as they develop their careers.

Commenting on the award, Otis Roberts, CEO of JRF said: “We are thrilled to have received this support thanks to National Lottery players and are grateful for the commitment by our women of heritage, relatable role models to be an integral part of the two-year programme. We are confident the ‘Empower to Achieve’ project will inspire girls and young women to fulfil their potential in life and realise there are no barriers to them pursuing a career in any field of work.”

Notes to editors

About the Jason Roberts Foundation (JRF)

JRF is a sport for development charity delivering a programme of wrap-around support – mentoring, life skills, education, and training, within our multi-sports activities providing opportunities and promoting exercise and team games to young people, including those at risk, and those with physical and learning disabilities. There is also a focus on health and wellbeing family interventions, and intergenerational community projects and events. We collaborate with local voluntary, public, and private sector organisations, and funding bodies to achieve our objective of ‘community first’.

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund

As the largest dedicated funder of the UK’s heritage, The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. 

Over the next ten years, the Heritage Fund aims to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to bring about benefits for people, places, and the natural environment.  

The Heritage Fund helps protect, transform, and share the things from the past that people care about, from popular museums and historic places, our natural environment, and fragile species, to the languages and cultural traditions that celebrate who we are. 

The Heritage Fund is passionate about heritage and committed to driving innovation and collaboration to make a positive difference to people’s lives today, while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.  

Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund  www.heritagefund.org.uk.

Further information

For more information contact JRF at info@jasonrobertsfoundation.org

Photo credit @ amanda rose

Martene Carroll
In Awards & Grants, News

JRF to deliver London EmpowerHER Girls’ Rugby Project

The Jason Roberts Foundation (JRF) are delighted to have been selected by England Rugby and the Mayor of London to deliver London EmpowerHER, a new project that aims to create a healthier, safer, and more inclusive future for young women and girls.

The project will launch in April and will be delivered to local schools and from JRF’s community hub on the Stonebridge Estate, Bridgestone Arena (formerly The Pavilion), London NW10 8LW.

Offering weekly Rugby coaching sessions alongside monthly ‘club’ sessions which will informally explore issues such as mental well-being, leadership and relationships, nutrition, self-care, and personal support.

Media activities will involve each participant creating a podcast to talk about their rugby experiences, focusing on activities to raise the profile of women’s rugby in preparation for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025,

There will also be the opportunity for participants to attend an England Women’s game at Twickenham for the 6 Nations or a Saracens Women’s game at StoneX Stadium.

JRF will host two Rugby celebration community events with demonstration rugby skills and opportunities for everyone to have a go.

Martene Carroll, Business Development Manager for JRF said; “We are especially pleased to have been chosen to deliver this exciting initiative that is targeted to young women and girls. Despite our broad offer, we continue to experience lower participation rates amongst girls, especially as they reach adolescence. We know the myriad reasons teenage girls disengage from sport and physical activity, for example, feeling judged and lack of self-belief. We hope that through the London EmpowerHER project young women and girls will be inspired in sport and in life and we will see female participation rates grow.”

NOTE:

If you aged 11 – 18-years-old and are interested in taking part in this project, please contact martene@jasonrobertsfoundation.org

About London EmpowerHER:

England Rugby and the Mayor of London have joined forces to deliver London EmpowerHER, a new project aiming to create a healthier, safer, and more inclusive future for young women and girls in Redbridge and Brent communities.

As part of the project, non-contact rugby activities will be delivered to girls in the region that are designed to foster physical fitness, leadership skills, and a pathway to better employability. Beyond that, the project is also committed to supporting London’s anti-violence against women campaign, by spreading awareness and education.

The project will commence from April 2024 with young women and girls (11-18yrs), in two London boroughs – Brent & Redbridge – being the primary focus.

With England hosting Rugby World Cup 2025, and with Twickenham being a host venue for the tournament, England Rugby is seeking to grow the women and girls’ game throughout the capital and showcase the many benefits the sport can have on both mental and physical health.

Bolstered by hosting next year’s Rugby World Cup, England Rugby has set a target of reaching 100k registered female players by 2027. The London EmpowerHER initiative is designed to help achieve that growth, while also allowing young girls to develop skills that will be important in later life.

For more information visit https://www.englandrugby.com/news/article/england-rugby-and-mayor-of-london-launch-project-to-empower-young-girls

Martene Carroll
In Awards & Grants

WNST Funding for JRF

Wembley National Stadium Trust logo

Thanks to funding from the Wembley National Stadium Trust (WNST) the JRF Team are delighted by the ongoing work they have been able to deliver for the benefit of the Brent community.

JRF was one of several local groups that was invited by WNST to apply for funding as part of the Trust’s new ‘Anchor Organisations’ programme’.

The two-year funding from WNST has enabled JRF to deliver a wide range of activities, events, and health initiatives for the local community. As well as regular multi-sports and fitness activities that cater for all ages and abilities, the over 50’s have set up a Walking Football Team ‘Bridgestone Steppers’ and a group of young people have created a Basketball Team the ‘Bridgestone Bulls’.

Community outreach is enabling the team to engage with neighbouring residents to ensure that everyone in the community can get involved in sports, regardless of any barriers they face.

Through funding, facilities at JRF’s community hub, Bridgestone Arena, have been upgraded including additional items of gym equipment and Basketball stands and hoops, enabling the team to provide safe and accessible sports facilities for all members of the community.

JRF is reliant on the dedication and expertise of their coaches and volunteers, and part of the funding is being used to provide ongoing training and professional development opportunities to help them stay current and effective in their roles.

Regular intergenerational Community events allow people to come together through sport alleviating isolation and loneliness, helping people to feel more connected. The funding has allowed JRF to offer the Brent public a host of events including a celebration day for the Brazilian community, Health & Wellbeing initiatives, Sports tournaments, and social action enterprises including community clean-up days.

Otis Roberts, CEO of the Foundation said; “We are thrilled to have been awarded this funding by the Wembley National Stadium Trust. By focusing on the plans we proposed as part of our application, we believe we can make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of our local community and leave a positive legacy for future generations.”

To hear more from Otis about the impact of the funding watch this video https://youtu.be/CGHihyQ806Q?feature=shared

WNST is a charitable grant-making trust, distributing funding received from Wembley National Stadium Ltd to support community sports activities.

For more information visit https://wnst.org/

Martene Carroll
In Awards & Grants

Edward Harvist Trust Fund Grant for JRF

Green screen in the cultural media centre

Following their successful ‘Thrive in Brent’ application to the Edward Harvist Trust Fund the JRF Team are delighted by the positive impact the project is having on the local community.

The awarded grant has enabled JRF to purchase equipment for the Community Hub to aid Fitness Activities, Events, and Training programmes for Brent residents.

Regular community events hosted by the JRF team celebrate the rich diversity of Brent and support residents to come together socially, share experiences, and build strong relationships. From cultural festivals, sports tournaments, and family fun days, these gatherings help to foster a sense of belonging and unity, enhancing community spirit.

A key aspect of JRF’s offer is to empower young people with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life, through education, training, and career pathways. The funding has enabled the team to offer access to mentoring and career workshops to guide young adults towards fulfilling and sustainable careers.

Sport, exercise, and fitness activities are central to JRF’s offer and Health and Wellbeing are at the core of the ‘Thrive in Brent’ project, as it seeks to improve the overall physical and mental wellbeing of Brent residents. Offering a diverse rage of fitness classes, from yoga and dance to outdoor workouts and sports activities, with the aim of making exercise enjoyable and accessible to all age groups and fitness levels. Nutritional workshops and health screenings are also on offer to underpin healthy lifestyle choices.

Martene Carroll, Business Development Manager for JRF said of the award; “We are delighted to again receive funding from the Edward Harvist Trust Fund to support our work in the community. In 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic, we were awarded funding to equip and open our onsite Cultural Media Centre, and with the additional funding provided at the time by Wembley National Stadium Trust (WNST), this allowed us to deliver online talks, forums, and fitness sessions during National lockdowns, which was a vital lifeline for the Brent community. We are very grateful to the Trust for their ongoing support.”

Martene Carroll
In Awards & Grants, News

Young People have their say

A small group of young people receiving mentoring

The JRF Team are pleased to announce a new programme for young people in Brent; ‘Your Say’ to give them a platform to discuss issues that affect them, and to help tackle violence affecting youth and the community.

Working in partnership with Young Brent Foundation, the programme is funded by One Flow One Brent in their bid to provide opportunities and services that not just engage young people, but also educate them on how to live safely in their environments.

The programme will run through to the end of March and will encompass a Youth Steering Group, alongside positive activities including Sports coaching, mentoring to improve wellbeing as well as for professional development, workshops through the Met Police and the Safer Neighbourhood Team, and ‘Have your Say’ Media sessions.

Young Brent Foundation identified a need for services that focus on improving the mental health of the young people in three specific estates; Chalkhill, Church End, and Stonebridge, and through this grant funding they have formed partnerships with several local organisations who work with young people.

Otis Roberts, CEO of JRF said; “The objectives of this programme are clear, and strongly resonate with us. Our aim is for young people to have a platform for open discussion on a range of issues including drugs, violence, and gangs. We want to support them and help educate them, so they are more confident to resist being drawn into dangerous pathways and empower them to make positive decisions and friendship choices.”

Martene Carroll
In Awards & Grants, News

JRF support people living with Dementia

The FA Logo

Thanks to funding through the FA Just Play Grants programme, the Jason Roberts Foundation are pleased to announce a new initiative for people in Brent living with Dementia.

‘Forget-me-Not’ is a weekly programme for men and women offering a range of activities including sport, exercise, and music to encourage everyone in the community to stay fit, active, and connected.

The sessions are delivered each Wednesday from 11:30am – 1:00pm at Bridgestone Arena (formerly the Pavilion) at Stonebridge Recreation Ground, NW10 8LW and are led by qualified coaches who offer activities including football, dance, and walking.

The activities have been designed to be light-hearted, stimulating, and fun with the aim of ensuring everyone feels able to join in. There is also a relaxed space for people to chat over light refreshments before and after the sessions.

Participants can turn up and play, or they can register to attend sessions via the FA Events Platform here Events – Booking Landing Page (thefa.com)  or by contacting martene@jasonrobertsfoundation.org

Martene Carroll
In Awards & Grants

JRF Awarded Grant from the Hyde Charitable Trust

Boy in JRF Kit next to JRF Logo

The JRF team are excited to announce they have been awarded a 3-year Grant from the Hyde Charitable Trust to deliver the ‘JRF in the Community’ Project.

The Sport for development project aims to build community engagement and increase sports participation by delivering a range of fun, accessible, and exciting activities including multi-sports, team games, and fitness sessions.

There will be Personal and social development training incorporating careers workshops, life-skills, and financial literacy sessions, as well as volunteering and training opportunities to enhance skills, qualifications, and career prospects.

Mentoring and progression pathways will engage the most marginalised and isolated in the local community, to develop confidence and enhance self-esteem through creative endeavours and, ‘Find your Voice’ media sessions.

The ‘JRF in the Community’ project caters for the entire Brent community to encourage everyone to participate in and enjoy community sports activities, as well as the wraparound services offered through the programme.

Julie Costley, Hyde’s Successful Places, Projects and Partnership Manager said:

“We’re delighted to be supporting the ‘JRF in the Community’ project. At Hyde we can see first-hand the vital role that organisations such as JRF play – both to young people and adults.

“The pandemic caused a lot of disruption to communities, impacting on everything from activity levels to people’s self-confidence. This funding is going to help develop more opportunities for people across Brent to engage with sport, training and physical activity.

“We’re looking forward to engaging even more with communities in Brent and helping inspire people to achieve their goals.”

To ensure there are no barriers to participation, there will be a range of open mixed sessions, girls, and women only sessions, and inclusive sports, games, and activity sessions including trips and excursions for children and young people with physical and learning disabilities.

Otis Roberts, CEO of the Foundation said; “We are thrilled to have been chosen to receive this grant from the Hyde Charitable Trust. For several years Hyde have supported us to deliver sports and recreational activities for the children and young people of Brent. This 3-year grant will help us to engage all Brent residents to create a positive and inclusive community where everyone can enjoy the benefits of sport and lead healthier and happier lives.”