Black Arsenal Untold
Black Arsenal Untold is a series exploring the ways in which Black Gooners shape the culture of our club. Over the course of Black History Month, we’ll share episodes and instalments that platform a host of different perspectives – from famous faces and former players to supporters new and old
Pride in the Gunners: A club for the community
For LGBTQ+ Pride Month, journalist and club supporter Zoya Raza-Sheikh explains what makes supporting Arsenal so special
2023/24 Community highlights
The end of the 2023/24 season is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the achievements of Arsenal in the Community – and we}re proud to say there have been many.
“I hope my story can help others”
Arsenal have helped to fund a film project by two long-time Arsenal in the Community supporters that tells the real-life story of Aaron, who turned his life around after dealing drugs and being stabbed. The three key people behind the film – Les Rowe, Tom Watt and Aaron himself – tell us about it
Lotte Wubben-Moy on her big passion
Lotte Wubben-Moy speaks about her dedication to Arsenal in the Community and her Time to Explore project for young girls
Marking World Parkinson’s Day
To mark World Parkinson’s Day we take a look at how our special walking football sessions help those with the disease get exercise, maintain balance and mobility, and share their experiences in a supportive environment
My Ramadan at Arsenal
As Eid al-Fitr, signifying the culmination of Ramadan, draws near, we hear from Arsenal in the Community’s Senior Inclusion Manager Bruk Abdu about the significance of Ramadan and how he balances his spiritual practices with his professional responsibilities
International Women’s Month
Throughout International Women’s Month, we have highlighted the amazing work our staff do within the Community department at Arsenal. Click here for the full range of interviews, from a coach who has been with us since Arsenal in the Community was founded in 1985 to a host of young people whose mission in life is to help and inspire others
A Nurture Room close to home
Arsenal have helped to fund a Nurture Room at Drayton Park School – just down the road from the club – inspired by Arsenal in the Community’s Sensory Room at Emirates Stadium. A space like this is an invaluable resource for helping children who are dealing with emotional distress, but it is only as good as the people who run it. We hear from two specialist staff members who are on hand to support the pupils
Helping Care Leavers to thrive
Arsenal in the Community works with Islington Council to support care-experienced children and young people, and we now work with Islington Virtual School – a group of education professionals who work with social workers and social care – on a range of projects that help give those young people a brighter future
“Being part of No More Red is massive”
To mark Black History Month, we hear from an inspirational figure who has become involved in the Arsenal and adidas No More Red campaign. Dr Stephen Addison BEM, aged 32, is founder and CEO of Box Up Crime
A safe space for children
Arsenal has helped to fund A Space for Support, a therapeutic service for children and adolescents with complex needs, being implemented at one of our local primary schools. We take a look at how they support young people, with help from one of the parents involved in the fundraising process
Coaching for Life: Bex's story
The Arsenal Foundation works with Save the Children on Coaching for Life, our ground-breaking project that uses football to enhance the mental wellbeing of children in the Za’atari Refugee Camp in Jordan. Arsenal in the Community coach Bex, 23, has seen the benefits first hand
Helping those with additional needs
Arsenal fund a wide range of organisations through The Arsenal Foundation, and among those are charities that support people of all ages with additional needs to help improve their quality of life. We hear from some of the local people whose lives have been enriched by dedicated charities that truly care about their wellbeing
Meet the coaches in the making
How the Arsenal Students Level 3 Sports Science & Coaching programme has helped more than 1,000 youngsters learn how to forge a career in the sports industry or discover how to apply the principles of sports science and coaching in other professions – as well as make memories and enjoy some special occasions with the club…
Helping children to thrive at school
Arsenal have helped to fund School-Home Support, a charity that works with schools and local authorities to provide personalised support to children and families in an attempt to remove barriers to a successful education. We hear from two of their practitioners about the work we have supported at Grafton Primary School in Islington through Covid and beyond
Jack Wilshere on resilience
To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, Under-18s head coach Jack Wilshere talks about being resilient as a player and in day-to-day life, as well as the importance of his players remaining connected and involved with the local community
How we help the ARC feed local families
Arsenal have helped to fund the food bank at The ARC Centre on St Paul Street, N1, which began during Covid but is still in high demand today. Two of its volunteers, Ann Eady and Liz Judges, tell us how the food bank works and how donations are helping local people as the cost of living rises
Girls hitting the net for Islington
The Arsenal Foundation has helped to fund the Islington District girls’ team, with Arsenal in the Community providing kit, equipment and access to Arsenal Women games too. We hear from three local girls who love the game and striving to keep on getting better and better
U13s seal Football Plus cup success
This has been another positive season for Football Plus, Arsenal in the Community’s leading football development programme, with all of our youngsters making great progress and our Under-13s claiming a dramatic victory in the Regent’s Park Cup
How we help young people open up
Arsenal works with Islington Giving and the Brandon Centre on a project to help support young people with mental health issues by offering a counselling service at The Arsenal Hub, home of Arsenal in the Community. We hear from two of the Brandon Centre clinicians about how the service helps young boys and girls alike
Luke Howard: Arsenal is for everybody
Luke Howard has worked at the club for 11 years, having started as a volunteer on our gap year programme. He tells us all about his current role as accessibility co-ordinator for our community department, and the wide-ranging programmes with which he is involved
Football Plus going above and beyond
Arsenal in the Community runs the Football Plus programme in conjunction with the Premier League, and it’s a great way of getting young people into the game – and everything that goes with it. Here are just three examples of youngsters who have benefitted on and off the pitch
Christmas cheer for care leavers
Christmas can be a tough time for many, especially those without family around them. Care leavers are often isolated at this time of year, so Arsenal in the Community work with Islington Council and a charity that supports care leavers called Go Forward Youth to host events on Christmas Day. Here we find out more about what happens at The Arsenal Hub, and how it helps
Coaching the coaches
Every September a new intake of aspiring coaches join the year-long Arsenal in the Community Coach Development Programme. Here we find out what's in store for them – and successful future applicants – from two coaches who have been through the programme themselves
The Birth of Arsenal Women
How one female footballer inspired Arsenal in the Community to set up a team that would go on to dominate the game
Football for everyone
Football is a sport for all, and we reflect that in the work we do supporting local clubs through Arsenal in the Community and our grant-giving arm, The Arsenal Foundation. We hear from some of the people who play for just a few of the local clubs we have helped with both funding and practical support
No More Red: Love And Loss
Arsenal have helped to fund and support Love And Loss, a charity that runs sessions for families who have lost loved ones to knife crime. Founder Tanisha Appleton tells us how tragedy for her own family inspired her to help others
How we support sport for all
Football is what we do at Arsenal, but it’s not all we do – we also support local clubs and organisations in other sports, to help people fall in love with being fit, healthy and active. We hear from five local people who have benefitted from that work, and although they all love different sports they are united by their passion for what they do
The Story of Arsenal Kicks
How Arsenal in the Community used the launch of the Premier League Kicks programme to reduce crime, build new facilities and give young people hope in one of Islington’s poorest areas
Freedom from Torture
Arsenal in the Community has been helping survivors of torture for more than a decade now, through football sessions and other projects in conjunction with one of our charity partners
Alternative Education
How the Arsenal Kicks project in Elthorne Park sparked an entire programme aimed at guiding young people away from trouble and back into education
Improving Employability
Arsenal’s Employment Programme helps local people engage with the Community department to find the right career for them, regardless of their age, background and experience. We hear from the man who helps to make it happen
Saturday Jobs
Arsenal in the Community’s Saturday Jobs Programme has helped young people to earn while they learn by working for the club on matchdays – and it’s more than just a job
