Positive Futures is an estate-based youth engagement programme, funded by Islington Council, which aims to support young people by providing regular activities within their local communities. No More Red participant George reveals how it helped him into coaching.
Project: Positive Futures
Annual participants: 550
Available to: People aged eight to 18 in Islington
Over the past 20 years of delivering Positive Futures in Islington, we have engaged with more than 10,000 local residents. Arsenal in the Community coaches – many of whom were once participants in the programme themselves – deliver the weekly football sessions on local estates. This unique dynamic provides young people with relatable role models who can build meaningful relationships with them and offer tailored support for their development.
Participants benefit from a wide range of developmental opportunities, both on and off the pitch. From support with employment and education to involvement in wider social action projects, the programme helps equip young people with essential life skills.
One such participant, George, was featured in this year’s No More Red campaign after regularly attending our sessions on the King’s Square Estate – one of the pitches that Arsenal, adidas and Islington Council have renovated in recent years.
George reflected on the significance of these sessions and the importance of having safe spaces like this in Islington:
“It used to be a really run-down pitch. The goals were terrible, and there was barely anything on the pitch. But since it’s been renovated, it’s not just a place to play football – it’s somewhere you can go and feel safe. Every Wednesday, Arsenal in the Community coaches run sessions there. I was part of it for about a year and a half, and it really feels like home.
“Recently, I’ve been at the Arsenal college in The Arsenal Hub doing my NCFE Level 2 in Sports Science. I want to learn to become a coach and emulate my own coach, Steve.”
Through the relationships built during his time with Positive Futures, George was supported in applying for our NCFE Sports Science college programme – a key step in his ongoing development.
For more information email Anthony Prodromou at aprodromou@arsenal.co.uk.
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