“We are giving girls a voice”

The Arsenal Foundation, in partnership with Islington Giving, has been supporting the Brandon Centre’s Arsenal Girls’ Kicks Programme since 2019, when it first started helping girls in Islington improve their wellbeing, mental and physical health through football. 

The Brandon Centre’s Clinical Director, Pavlos Rossolymos, shares his insights on this powerful and enduring programme…

“At the heart of it, our sport psychologist Osiro Imoedemhe [above, leading a session] is embedded in the community football sessions with the girls, and weaves in psychological skills into the practice sessions. The girls can then use these skills both on and off the football pitch. 

“This approach supports 90 girls from across Islington each week to learn valuable life skills through playing football. Key skills such as emotional awareness and effective communication are weaved into the football practice sessions. This programme prepares them for their future, helping them to grow their confidence and giving girls a voice.

“Seeing some of those girls who came in alone not knowing anyone on the programme flourish, making friends, and just have a good time, is really rewarding.

“Mia [name has been changed] is 14 years old and lives in Archway. She was referred to the Arsenal Girls Kicks programme last year. When she first joined, Mia was really reserved and had difficulty engaging with her peers. Initially, she simply turned up, played football and left. She never interacted with other members of the programme. 

“Recognising her potential and the need to intervene, we took a personalised approach through the Arsenal Girls’ Kicks programme. With the support from Arsenal and Islington Giving, we were able to spend the time needed to support Mia. This time and approach allowed her to open up more and more as the sessions went on. 

“After a while, as Mia become more comfortable in the space, she was able to share the difficulty she was having at school, struggling to manage her emotions and regularly getting into trouble. She also began to engage more with other girls on the programme. 

“With consistent encouragement and guidance from the staff, she is learning to express herself more clearly and positively through her words and behaviours. Building stronger connections within the group has also encouraged her to do her best and be her best. Mia’s transformation, which is still happening slowly, highlights the profound impact of tailored emotional and social support in community projects like this one. This project provides essential support for young people who may not have access to resources like this otherwise.”

For more information visit brandon-centre.org.uk. For more on Arsenal Kicks click here or email Jack Ironside at jironside@arsenal.co.uk.