The Arsenal Foundation and its partner Islington Giving are today celebrating passing half a million pounds worth of donations into the local community.
Coming together in 2013 to mark 100 years of Arsenal in Islington, both organisations have worked together to make positive change in the borough.
The collaboration has focused on creating new opportunities for local people, as well as unlocking access to high-quality venues and facilities to help bring residents together, combat loneliness and provide stimulating activities.
“We are delighted to reach this milestone in partnership with Islington Giving,” commented Chair of The Arsenal Foundation, Svenja Geissmar.
“It has been amazing to see the impact this partnership has had on local residents over the past few years and we look forward to continuing to work with Islington Giving to make positive change in the borough.”
“We are thrilled that working in partnership, The Arsenal Foundation and Islington Giving have been able to bring so many more resources into the borough to directly benefit local people,” continued Islington Giving Director, Sarah Benioff.
“It’s a truly winning partnership and we look forward to opening up even more opportunities for local people in the future.”
The funded projects include Friday Night Out, which provided football and food sessions to local children in King's Cross, while Saturday Socials brings older Islington neighbours together in famous local spaces to enjoy weekly creative sessions.
Since mid-2018, the partnership has also seen specialists in youth mental health. The Brandon Centre, resides at The Hub – home of Arsenal in the Community - for a day a week in response to the rising mental health challenges amongst young people in the borough.
Another co-funded project, Drawn Out, was born out of Arsenal in the Community’s deep connection with young people on the Elthorne Estate in Archway. Working with youth-led filmmaking organisation, Fully Focused, the group produced a film to tackle negative preconceptions of the area.
The result, Drawn Out, was nominated for a Community Award at the London Football Awards 2019 and has over 3.6 million views on YouTube.
The Arsenal Foundation will be centre stage at Arsenal’s Premier League match against Manchester City on Sunday, as the club continues the long-standing tradition of donating a match a season to celebrating and raising awareness of the great people and causes it supports.
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