As well as its charitable endeavours, The Arsenal Foundation supports an array of good causes in the community, providing practical and financial support to a number of initiatives in the local boroughs of Islington, Camden, Westminster and Hackney.
UNLOCKING ISLINGTON - GET TOGETHER, GET ACTIVE
Working together with a shared passion for the borough and its residents…
In September 2013, in celebration of Arsenal Football Club’s centenary of their historic move to Islington, Arsenal Foundation and Islington Giving announced an innovative partnership to tackle the social isolation and lack of opportunities affecting the lives of many Islington residents. Our collaboration, which brings together funds of £150,000 over 3 years, has focused on creating new opportunities and unlocking access to high quality venues and facilities for young people and older adults – some of the best the borough has to offer. By working with local charities to maximise use of the borough’s sports facilities, local museums, community centres, and open spaces the ‘Unlocking Islington’ partnership is helping to bring residents together during the evenings and at weekends when local people tell us they feel most isolated and can benefit most from ‘things to do and places to go’.
Supporting young and older residents in the community…
We now have a weekly programme running for young people – Friday Night Out -taking place on Friday nights in both the north and south of the borough, where young people can play football and other sports, cook and eat healthy foods, and meet socially. Alongside this, we are opening up new opportunities and venues for residents aged 55+ through a regular Saturday Socials programme where older residents are getting together to meet socially and take part in a range of activities.
Supporting local charities and organisations to help make a difference…
Islington Giving and Arsenal Foundation could not have achieved the impact we have had to date without the support of our charity partners. Our combined funds have supported 8 organisations who are working directly with local residents to help address isolation and create opportunities. Our funded partners are: Arsenal in the Community, Global Generation, Another Way Youth and Community Organisation, House of Illustration, All Change Arts, Cubitt Education, North London Cares, and Age UK Islington.
Leveraging the support of local organisations, residents and businesses…
We have been delighted to collaborate with a range of organisations, residents and businesses keen to join Arsenal Foundation and Islington Giving in helping to make a difference locally. The Kings Cross Partnership has been a key supporter of Friday Night Out in Kings Cross since it started, providing access to the Multi-Use Games Area for the weekly football sessions and contributing funds of £12,000 towards the running costs of the programme. We have also been grateful to draw on the support of the Arsenal Independent Supporters Association (AISA). Throughout the 2013/14 season AISA raised £1,610 for Islington Giving from among their membership, with ex-Arsenal player Nigel Winterburn presenting a cheque to Islington Giving at AISA’s AGM which is being used towards the Friday Night Out and Saturday Socials programme.
Sharing our work to inspire others…
By working together, Islington Giving and Arsenal Foundation have sought to raise the profile of the issues facing isolated and low income residents in the borough and celebrate the positive difference local action can make. In Spring 2014 and 2015 Islington Giving attended the Arsenal Foundation Annual Charity Fundraising Ball, an end of season event for Arsenal players held at the Emirates, helping to raise awareness of the Foundation’s charity partners and the work it supports locally and globally.
FRIDAY NIGHT OUT
Friday Night Out involves Arsenal in the Community working with local charities Global Generation and Another Way Youth and Community Organisation to help unlock access to fantastic venues and new opportunities for young people in the north and south of the borough. Friday Night Out combines two of young people’s favourite things – football and food – and encourages young people to meet others, be active, and build opportunities for the future.
SATURDAY SOCIALS
Saturday Socials provides opportunities for residents aged 55+ to come together, socialise, and take part in activities, helping to support residents who are socially isolated or at risk of isolation. The programme runs on Saturdays as the weekend can often be a time when people have less access to other services and activities locally, and when older residents can feel most alone. A weekly programme is available, run by All Change Arts, Cubitt Education, and North London Cares, with a linked programme of Get Togethers provided by Age UK throughout the week in venues across the borough.
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