Arsenal in the Community are committed to providing safe spaces where young people and adults with additional support needs can access fun and inclusive activities.
North London Foundation Trust Mental Health Programme
Arsenal in the Community work in partnership with the North London Foundation Trust to deliver weekly football sessions for adults with a mental health diagnosis.
Our staff work alongside a mental health practitioner to deliver sessions at The Arsenal Hub, next door to Emirates Stadium. This partnership approach enables us to create a safe environment for local adults who are experiencing mental health challenges.
Our coaches lead on the delivery of the football activity while the NLFT staff member is able to support the participants as they take part.
This project started before 2010 with sessions taking place each week. It plays an important role in the weekly routine of its members, with some participants involved for over ten years.
The group helps improve both the physical and mental health of the participants as well as providing a space to socialise and make positive friendship groups.
This project is a great example of a partnership approach can have a meaningful impact on local people who may struggle to engage in activities elsewhere.
North London United
North London United is a specialist football programme designed to empower children, young people and adults aged five and up with Down syndrome.
Arsenal in the Community partners with North London United to deliver weekly football sessions at The Arsenal Hub. The sessions aim to strengthen football skills, build confidence, reduce isolation and improve physical health. We create a warm, supportive community for players and their parents and carers where everyone feels seen, valued and encouraged to participate.
At the heart of North London United is a simple purpose: to make football a place where every individual can thrive. The coaches focus on ability rather than limitation, adapting sessions so each player can progress at their own pace. Through structured coaching, positive role-modelling and an inclusive team culture, we aim to nurture not only skill but also self-belief, independence and joy in the game.
North London United’s mission is to use football as a platform to break down barriers and challenge the outdated perceptions often associated with Down syndrome. They work to create opportunities that extend far beyond weekly training, including pathways into mainstream community activities, leadership roles, competitive events such as the Krome Cup, and creative projects that celebrate the individuality and achievements of our players. These experiences help our players build resilience, form friendships and step confidently into spaces that may once have felt out of reach.
The impact of the programme reaches well beyond the pitch. Families consistently share that their players demonstrate increased confidence, stronger social skills and greater independence as a result of participating. For parents and carers, our sessions also offer connection, shared experience and a much-needed moment of respite while their child enjoys football in a safe, structured environment.
If you’re interested in your child joining North London United, please get in touch. We would love to welcome you. .
Mencap Adult Learning Disabilities Programme
Arsenal in the Community delivers weekly football sessions for adults with learning disabilities in partnership with Mencap.
Local residents who have a learning disability are able to sign up for the programme to take part in activities at The Arsenal Hub – an ideal location for the group where our indoor football pitch provides a safe space for the participants to play football regardless of the weather.
The session forms an important part of its members' weekly routine, which is extremely important for this group. It provides a space where they exercise and socialise with many of the group, making new friends. This is a great example of how sport can help build confidence, improve health and provide a sense of belonging.
SEN Hub Sessions
Arsenal in the Community is committed to providing inclusive provision where children with all needs are able to engage in settings which feel right for them.
Every week, our staff deliver football sessions at The Arsenal Hub for young people who are neurodiverse and have additional support needs.
These sessions are tailored to the needs of the group and delivered during term time. We work closely with the parents of the children to ensure that our staff can work most effectively with their children.
Having an indoor space for this group where participants feel comfortable and take time away from the pitch when needed is important and we encourage participants to engage in the session at their own pace.
Our primary aim is for the children to enjoy their time at the Hub and enjoy taking part in the activities on offer.
We run sessions for primary and secondary-aged young people.
As one dad says, “Tommy’s experience at Arsenal has been transformational, not just for him, but for us a family. For me, having been involved in local football, running a local football club and supporting Arsenal for since I was a child, it broke my heart that my son would never play. Arsenal changed that. It doesn’t look quite like what I dreamed of. It’s even better.”
“I love the matches and the games, like ‘tails’, and my friends!” says Tommy.
And his mum adds, “It has been an incredible bonding experience for Tommy, his Dad and now Tommy’s little Brother, Billy, too. The consistent approach the coaches have taken, allowing Tommy to develop at his own speed, has brought great benefit to our family.”
Amputees Football
Arsenal in the Community have delivered weekly sessions for adults with upper, lower or multiple amputations since 2015. The sessions are delivered by our coaches who are skilled at ensuring the activities are safe for all to take part in and cater to the needs of the group.
The programme offers free weekly sessions and operates as a drop-in session where there is no commitment to attend every week.
Since 2015, we have had participants with a wide range of football abilities take part. For some, it has been their first experience of amputee football, whilst others have competed on a national level representing England. Our coaches aim to ensure that everyone is welcome and gain engage in the session in a way that they are comfortable.
Participant Isaac says, “I heard about the scheme through social media, and I wanted to chase my dream of playing football, so I got in touch with the club and since then, I’ve fit in like a glove. I approached the staff and was involved within a week – since then I have attended nearly every week, including a period when I was out injured to support my team.
“I worked with three incredible coaches and mentors who have helped me not just on the pitch but off it. It’s really helped me to overcome and beat whatever situations I’ve faced in the last few months. We’ve had some deep conversations, beyond just football! It has been really positive to share my knowledge and experience, as well as learning.
“It means a lot as a player to be with a team that understands and does so much to help me grow as an individual. I’ve not just seen myself compete in the league and score goals, I’ve had opportunities at the international level. In the last year, I’ve achieved so much to make myself proud, and I know I can continue to grow. It’s helped my outlook on life to be more positive and thankful for things – I’ve just been offered a space on the Arsenal Coach Development Programme, so this is definitely just the start of my journey!”
Luke Howard, Arsenal Accessibility co-ordinator, says…
“We launched our Arsenal in the Community Amputee programme in 2015, building on strong foundations set up by some of the players running their own team. Bringing the team to The Arsenal Hub, we began recruiting new players and exploring the ambitions of the existing players, as well as running a coaching session with Theo Walcott, Petr Cech and Aaron Ramsey.
“During this time, we have seen amazing achievements from players: from playing football for the first time as an amputee, to representing the club on the Arsenal Coach Development Programme abroad, to seeing the team win national tournaments, and our players playing for the England national side in European Championships and World Cups.
“This group has been running for several years, and it’s become one of our most well-recognised programmes, with some fantastic people involved. Looking at the progress of the players and the individual achievements – we are so proud of everyone. Now our aim is to continue the growth of the group.”
Refugees Welcome Programme
Freedom from Torture works with survivors of torture from across the world, most of whom are seeking asylum and refuge in the UK. The partnership between Arsenal in the Community and Freedom from Torture developed into offering English classes in 2011 and, the following year, the football group.
Clients are referred by their clinician at Freedom from Torture, and the only conditions for joining the football sessions is that participants are interested in taking part and that it’s medically safe for them to do so. The sessions take place at The Arsenal Hub, a safe space that also gives the players a connection with the club and our staff.
Each session comprises warm-up activities that emphasise teamwork and communication, short games and a cool-down. Another important element is that each session is delivered jointly by staff from Freedom from Torture and Arsenal in the Community to ensure we are combining the expertise of both partners.
For the players, however, the sessions are an enjoyable opportunity to play football. The therapeutic elements are integrated into the sessions in a way that makes them “invisible” to an observer who is not already aware of this aspect of the group.
“I was struggling to walk, let alone run” – read how the football sessions helped torture survivor Alex .
