The Jason Roberts Foundation (JRF) is awarded a £53,600 grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to implement the Inspire to Achieve Heritage Programme: Uncovering the Histories of the Footballers who Paved the Way.
JRF has received support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Inspire to Achieve project, it was announced today. Thanks to National Lottery players, the project aims to celebrate the untold stories of a dozen former footballers, each of whom grew up within sight of Wembley Stadium, and whose stories will inspire the Brent community through a range of outputs and activities.
Some of the footballers who have pledged their support of this project include Paul Merson, Dave Beasant, Rachel Yankey, Richard Langley, the Stein brothers – Mark, Edwin, and Brian, Jason Roberts, Luther Blissett, Phillip ifil, Dave Regis, Gary Waddock, Darren Currie, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Jerome Thomas, Junior Lewis, and Eartha Pond. The family of the late Cyrille Regis have also confirmed their support of the project which honours the great legacy he left.
The programme is primarily designed to create opportunities for disadvantaged young people to develop new skills through co-curation and to inspire the local community to engage with cultural heritage through relatable themes.
JRF is committed to work with the University Campus of Football Business (UCFB), local mainstream and SEND schools, other youth driven organisations, and the local housing association to provide new opportunities for young people to not only learn about inspirational characters and the history of their environment, but also learn new skills related to researching, recording, and presenting narratives through a range of mixed media.
While inspiring young people through the active collection, preservation and sharing of heritage, and the motivational stories of the footballers, the health and wellbeing activities will be aimed at the older generation by establishing a sporting memories cafe.
Commenting on the award, Otis Roberts, CEO of JRF said: “We’re delighted that we’ve received this support thanks to National Lottery players. Throughout the programme and beyond, we will be promoting the centre (Bridgestone Arena) as a place of sporting and cultural activity for visitors to the area, and due to our proximity to Wembley Stadium, we will be able to attract a wide cross section of visitors from the UK and abroad each time this venue is used to host a range of prominent and popular events. We are looking forward to getting the project underway”
Notes to editors
About Jason Roberts Foundation
JRF is a sport for development charity. We deliver a programme of wrap-around support including mentoring, life skills, education, and training, within our multi-sports activities that provide opportunities to young people, including those at risk, and promote exercise and team games for children and young people, including those with physical and learning disabilities.
There is also a focus on health and wellbeing family interventions, and intergenerational community projects and events. Activities are delivered throughout the week, and we collaborate with local voluntary, public, and private sector organisations, clubs, and funding bodies to achieve our objective of community first.
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www.jasonrobertsfoundation.com
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Using money raised by the National Lottery, we Inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. www.heritagefund.org.uk.
Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund
Since The National Lottery began in 1994, National Lottery players have raised over £43 billion for projects and more than 635,000 grants have been awarded across the UK.
Further information
For further information, images and interviews please contact Otis Roberts at Jason Roberts Foundation on 07904318965 or otis@jasonrobertsfoundation.org
