Events

On Tuesday 14^th 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

Friday 3^rd 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.

29^th 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

27^th 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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20^th January 2023

On the evening of Friday 20^th January a crowd gathered at Bridgestone Arena, the home of JRF, to remember the late, great, Cyrille Regis, as part of the Foundation’s Inspire to Achieve Heritage Project.

BBC Radio presenter and former One Show Host Adrian Chiles opened the evening and West Brom fans who remember Cyrille’s debut season in 1978, joined the 150 strong audience.

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 evening’s event focused on one of the true trailblazers who overcame racism and bigotry to inspire a generation.

JRF’s Media Manager Michael Adams hosted the evening, showing a video highlighting the great achievements of Cyrille during his professional career, as well as his charity work off the pitch. A Q&A discussion followed with many touching tributes shared by the audience about the impact Cyrille had on them, from how he tackled the racial abuse he endured, and why so many Brent residents are West Brom supporters.

Children with physical and learning disabilities who were involved in the Inspire to Achieve Heritage project, presented their research projects on the history of Cyrille’s professional career as well as his cultural heritage.

Patricia Lichst and Alex White from The National Lottery Heritage Fund were invited to attend, and they engaged with the community and took part in the creative workshop ran by Simon from ‘Blingwear’ for local children and young people to express how they wanted to remember Cyrille, later taking to the stage to share their thoughts on the JRF project.

The audience learned more about Cyrille’s connection to Maripasoula, French Guiana where he was born. He followed his father to England at a young age, and was playing football with non-league Hayes when he was spotted by West Bromwich Albion chief scout (and former centre-forward) Ronnie Allen. A film is currently in production about Cyrille’s family.

One clear message from the night was that although Cyrille has sadly passed away, his legacy lives on in the memories of past, present, and future generations.