News

23^rd October 2024

Each October the Jason Roberts Foundation (JRF) host an event and activities for the Brent community to celebrate Black History Month, to remember moments in history, achievements, and contributions that Black people have made in the United Kingdom.

Introduced by historian and author, Dr Carter G Woodson in the USA in 1926, Black History Month began in the UK in 1987.

Reclaiming Narratives

This year’s theme for Black History Month is “Reclaiming Narratives” to correct historical inaccuracies and uncover untold stories of Black people’s contributions to art, literature, business, sport, politics and more in the UK and around the world.

On Wednesday 23^rd October JRF joined up with Brent Council at Brent Civic Centre to celebrate Black History Month.

Fittingly JRF’s ‘Empower to Achieve’ Heritage project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, traces the Ancestry of Women in Sport of Caribbean, Indian, and Somali Heritage.

Three of the women of Heritage the project is focussed on; Lorna Falconer – Head of Football Operations at Brentford Football Club, Connie Henry, MBE – founder of charity Track Academy, creator of the Sports Give Back Awards, and former international triple jumper; and Celeste Stevens, Head of Safeguarding & Academy Player Welfare at Reading Football Club took to the stage at the ‘Reclaiming Narratives’ event and spoke to the audience about their career journey, families, and personal experiences competing and working in the world of sport.

The event was attended by over 250 people who heard some of their previously untold stories and interacted with the ladies during a Q&A session.

Many young participants of JRF projects and activities who are contributing and taking part in the National Lottery Heritage Funded project were in attendance and enjoyed the rest of the evening which included poetry, arts, and music.

Young JRF Media intern Marley said, “This project has given others and people like me the opportunity to research, gain skills and experience, and be responsible for contributing to the work and projects run by the Foundation. I’m learning new things every day and we are all constantly being inspired by the women of Heritage involved in the ‘Empower to Achieve’ project, who always have time for us.”

For more information about JRF projects and events follow #JasonRobertsFdn and email info@jasonrobertsfoundation.org

Monday 8^th July 2024

Last Monday saw a fantastic start to the new Church Road project where Wates are building 99 new council homes.

The new initiative being delivered by JRF is supported by Wates as part of their social value work, and Brent Council who have commissioned the construction company to transform the area in Church End.

Over 80 young people from Newman Catholic Secondary College, local primary schools St Mary’s and St Joseph’s made their way to one of Brent’s finest green spaces Roundwood Park to enjoy a number of sports run by JRF coaches including tennis, football, and athletics, and JRF partner The Golf Trust provided golf lessons. The young participants clearly enjoyed the range of activities in the open air much to the delight of their teachers.

There were guest appearances from Dave Beasant and Mark Stein, former professional footballers who graced the very same area in their youth. Both stressed the importance of fresh air and getting physically active, rather than spending screen time on phones and tablets.

About Wates

Wates has been appointed by Brent Council to create 99 new council homes in Church Road, Church End, which is set to help transform the area.

As part of this regeneration scheme, there will be a new market square and a range of shops at the site where a car park once stood. Wates will start construction this month, with the homes due for completion by 2025.

The £30m project is part of the council’s Masterplan for Church End. By 2041, the area will boast 1,300 new homes along with hundreds of new employment and training opportunities and improved infrastructure. This particular project in Church End will enable Wates and Brent Council to invest in the local community through the generation of 16 apprenticeships and a minimum of 20 objective-based work placements for local people.

https://www.wates.co.uk/news/residential-development/residential/building-new-council-homes-brent/

On Sunday the 9^th June JRF kicked off a new partnership with health provider Nuffield Health with a community day of Sport and Wellbeing at Bridgestone Arena.

Over 200 local people participated from children, teenagers, to adults over sixty years old. They all had the chance to take part in a range of sport and fitness activities on offer with the opportunity to obtain health checks such as blood pressure, general health, and fitness assessments.

Over 100 people underwent the onsite health checks with the added incentive of receiving a week’s pass at Nuffield Health to experience the facilities and classes they offer.

The backdrop to all of these activities was the ‘Bridgestone Steppers’ ladies and over 50s Walking Football teams from India and Somalia who played in a Festival of Sport.

The partnership synergy is the mutual aim of both charities to bridge the gap between community and health.

Multi-site General Manager of Nuffield Health, Mo Bouamri said; “We’re a charity and our purpose is to build a healthier nation. By doing that we need to get into these communities with people who need us the most. I’ve been looking at JRF for a while and see that this is something they are doing as well. They’re making such a massive difference to the community here. Looking around today, there are a couple of hundred people here, and looking at the ages there are kids here from five years old up to adults aged seventy. That’s what it’s all about.”

CEO of JRF, Otis Roberts said; “We are looking forward to doing wonderful things that benefit the health of the community we serve and Nuffield Health are a great fit to some of the ongoing work we are delivering across all communities.”

On the evening of Wednesday 22nd May Paul Merson returned to his roots to visit Harlesden library.

The library has seen many events hosted by JRF since the turn of the year after their Inspire to Achieve Heritage Exhibition was showcased at the community venue.

This time local legend Paul Merson shared his intriguing story with over 75 passionate sports lovers.

Paul was accompanied by his Mum who sat in the front row of the audience as Paul spoke openly about his career in football, management, and media, as well as subjects covering health, wellbeing, and family.

The interactive crowd posed many questions to the former England player who grew up a stone’s throw away from the iconic Wembley Stadium.

Before the event Paul strolled through the streets of Harlesden and saw some old faces as he popped into shops and picked up a cake donated by Cake Box in Harlesden to welcome him back to the area.

A mural of Paul, Thierry Henry, and Jason Roberts was also unveiled on the shutters of local business Eagles Tyres with Paul present, turning the heads of several passers-by.

Monday 13^th May 2024

On Monday evening the local Brent community came together at the Bridgestone Arena to celebrate the launch of JRF’s new ‘Empower to Achieve’ Heritage Project.

The project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, will trace the Ancestry of Women in Sport of Caribbean, Indian, and Somali Heritage.

Four of the Heritage women the project will focus on were in attendance, namely Lorna Falconer – Head of Football Operations at Brentford Football Club, Connie Henry, MBE – founder of charity Track Academy, creator of the Sports Give Back Awards, and former international triple jumper; Jawahir ‘JJ’ Roble, MBE – British Football Referee, and Celeste Stevens, Head of Safeguarding & Academy Player Welfare at Reading Football Club.

The four women who all work in different areas of the sports industry, took to the stage and spoke about their involvement in the exciting new project, which will offer local young people the chance to gain valuable skills, experience, and qualifications in an array of fields including presenting, photography, videography, film making, journalism, sports coaching and officiating, and curation.

Over sixty people attended from community organisations, local stakeholders, Brent Council’s Community Team, and professionals from a Media Agency, all of whom heard initial insights from the four women of Heritage on their career journey, families, and personal experiences.

With a series of ‘Memory Cafes’, activities, and events planned throughout the two-year project, there is plenty more to look forward to.

Otis Roberts, CEO of JRF said, “We are excited about this new Heritage project and are grateful to the commitment of the women involved, all relatable role models who will inspire and empower the next generation of young people. We will have a lot of fun working with the Brent community on this project.”

Keep up to date by following us on website / Twitter and community broadcast @JasonRobertsFdn

Thursday 18^th April

The JRF Team were pleased to co-produce and host an African & Caribbean Think Tank Workshop at Bridgestone Arena, NW10 last Thursday evening.

The initiative was an opportunity for members of the Brent community to come together and share their own experiences and discuss ideas and strategies to address inequalities in the health service.

Over seventy residents attended the informative workshop, and local organisations presented ways and means for health services to be better represented, especially for those people who face inequality.