Kickz - Arsenal.com

Arsenal Kickz
Islington
Annual Report
2007/08
1st December 2007 to
30th November 2008
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‘TAG CLOUDS’
Islington Kickz - at a Glance
accreditation
ambitious atmosphere
launch
achievement
agency partnership
alternative
Be Safe Bergkamp workshops bowling boxing
breaking barriers building relationships celebration
coaching
community concern competition
certificate
contribution
confidence
coaches
congratulation
Cruyff Court dance development education
esteem Elthorne Park employment
engagement
expressions fair play fire arms workshop fireworks safety
fun growth healthy lifestyles information involvement knife
enjoyment experience
workshop
crime workshop learning lives London Week of Peace
nutrition
mentor
opportunity outreach Pana Tournament partnerships
participation
pathways
photography physically healthy
personal development
positive contribution progress
qualifications regeneration regular residential
respect responsibility relationships role models
Rosemary Gardens safe places safety self esteem
sexual health
training
skills
support
talent
team building
team work
trust volunteers young people
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1. Project information
Host football club(s):
Arsenal
Address:
Highbury House, 75 Drayton Park, Islington, London
Postcode:
N5 1BU
Key Contact and role:
Overview of report:
Freddie Hudson, Community Manager
This annual report covers the delivery of the Kickz project in the London Borough of
Islington from 1st December 2007 to 30th November 2008.
The first section provides details of the project, location, partners and aims & objectives
along with some information on how Kickz links to various national and local agendas.
After a statistical update the report then looks at some case studies relating to the project,
various Every Child Matters contributions and young people from the project. In closing the
report will briefly explore future plans.
Location of project(s):
There are two Arsenal Kickz schemes in Islington:
* Elthorne Park (N19) began delivery in September 2006 > 4 nights football - 1 night boxing
- 1 night dance
* Rosemary Gardens (N1) started in March 2008 > 2 nights football - 1 night ‘rolling’
alternative activity
Initial project launch date:
Project summary:
11 / 09 / 2006
The two schemes in Islington are producing encouraging outcomes across a number of
agendas. Along with impressive attendances on both schemes there is also regular
engagement with young people that are not in education, employment or training.
Activities available are football, boxing, dance, bike building and photography. The regular
activities that take place throughout midweek evenings are football sessions with boxing
taking place on Friday nights and street dance on Tuesdays. Weekend activities often take
place in the form of matches against other projects and trips to the Emirates to watch Arsenal
matches. A regular ‘Girls Only’ session is provided.
There is a strong focus once trust is established to support young people with some of the
issues they face growing up in an inner city area like Islington. Awareness has been raised
around weapons, health, gangs, fireworks and other relevant local issues through formal and
informal work shops. We have found residential trips to be one useful way of communicating
these messages.
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The project was pleased to be short listed for six out of ten categories in the 2008 National
Kickz Awards and delighted to win the 'Inspiring Young People' and 'Outstanding Personal
Achievement' awards' at the ceremony at Wembley Stadium. This is an achievement that the
partnership can be proud of.
Opportunities to access other Arsenal in the Community training courses are made available.
The Arsenal Entry 2 Employment course is one example where those that are not in
education, employment or training can benefit. A total of three participants have enrolled so
far illustrating the projects intention to provide supporting structures for participants.
Along with volunteer, training & accreditation opportunities there is a sharp emphasis on
providing part time employment for young people coming through these projects. To date a
total of five Kickz participants have progressed to part time employment by the project and
significantly two of these were not in any form of education, employment or training. Two
females are among the five and a sixth has progressed form volunteer status to part time
work. Two of the females are heading their own Kickz 'Girls Only' football sessions.
We are grateful to our partners Access 2 Sport, who assist with the delivery of some of the
football sessions and also provide a range of accredited courses such as FA Level 1's and
Gymn Instructors qualifications.
Regeneration has been a valuable by-product of the Elthorne Park scheme with Kickz
activities and youth engagement acting as a catalyst for facility upgrades and wider
developments to the area. The improvements have been essential to the development of the
project and importantly to the continued engagement between staff and young people.
Recent funding from Islington's Community Safety Partnership Unit means that the Kickz
schemes will be included in the Local Area Agreement and provide an important link to
Islington's statutory sector. This is a significant step for the projects development and a
notable shift for Arsenal in the Community which has adopted a delivery focussed approach
since it began in the late 1980's. Arsenal FC has essentially funded the department’s
programmes which include a wide range of sport, education & training and social inclusion
initiatives. Arsenal in the Community will soon be celebrating its 25th Anniversary.
Aims and objectives:
Kickz is a national programme which uses the attraction of professional football clubs to
target disadvantaged areas. The overall aim of Kickz is to:
‘Create safer, stronger, more respectful communities through the development of young
people’s potential’.
The programme is currently delivered by 39 professional football clubs’ community teams
across the country, working in partnership with local authorities, police forces and a wide
range of other agencies. The programme also has strong national multi-agency backing across
the football, sport and music industry, along with the Government and Association of Chief
Police Officers (ACPO).
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The national programme objectives are:
• To engage young people in a range of constructive activities linking to the Every Child
Matters framework
• To create routes into education, training and employment
• To contribute to the reduction of crime and anti-social behaviour in the targeted
neighbourhoods
• To help break down barriers between the police and young people
• To encourage volunteering within projects and throughout the target neighbourhoods
• To increase playing, coaching and officiating opportunities for participants
Kickz provides year round, concentrated provision, targeting young people aged 10 to 18.
The format of projects combines football coaching and competition with ‘flexible’ sessions
which can offer alternative activities. The frequency of the programme allows messages
beyond football to be conveyed. Flexible/alternative activities, workshops or developmental
sessions can cover a range of key issues, from healthy lifestyles, to the dangers of getting
involved in drugs or carrying weapons.
Supporting a traditional Arsenal in the Community ethos, the Islington Kickz schemes have
adopted a young person focussed approach. Pathways from participation to employment are
provided with the knowledge that it is local people that are often well placed to contribute to
the development of such projects. The benefits that accrue can impact significantly on local
communities as well as individuals.
Steering group members:
Kickz projects are designed to be owned and guided by local steering groups, to ensure that
projects are applied in a way which is relevant to local communities. Information can be
shared so that joined up solutions and delivery expertise can be implemented.
The steering group that oversee the Arsenal Kickz projects in Islington is made up of
representatives from:
Islington Police
Canonbury Safer Neighbourhood Team
Hill Rise Safer Neighbourhood Team
Islington Leisure
Islington Young People's Service
Access 2 Sport
Islington Young People Drug & Alcohol Service
Islington Youth Offending Service
Islington Youth Engagement Team
Cambridge Education @ Islington
Canonbury Youth Project
Urban Hope Youth Club
Arsenal in the Community
Islington Football Partnership
Islington Boxing Club
Friends of Elthorne Park
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Having the Police Inspector responsible for youth engagement as steering group Chair
provides essential links to a wide range of partners as reflected in this list. The project would
like to thank and congratulate the partnership on its success to date and for the hard work and
commitment during the past year.
National/local agendas:
Kickz has the potential to deliver important mutual outcomes and impacts at a national and
local level.
National Agendas:
Kickz is a cross-Government initiative which has a recognised ability to meet a range of
policy objectives across departments including the DCMS, DCSF, Home Office and
Department of Health.
The aims, delivery strategy and operational techniques used by Kickz, fit perfectly with the
vision for successful youth provision set out in the Government’s 10 year youth strategy.
Along with providing targeted support, Kickz provides a significant contribution to
preventing problems occurring rather than simply intervening when they do.
Kickz was developed to directly address each of the five outcomes within the Every Child
Matters framework to allow young people to:
• Be Healthy
• Stay Safe
• Enjoy and Achieve
• Make a Positive Contribution
• Achieve Economic Well Being
Case studies included later within this report give examples of how this is achieved. There is
an obvious focus on contributing to the reduction of crime and anti-social behaviour in target
areas. Positive trends have been recorded in Islington and across the country in this regard.
Importantly this is achieved by investing in young people to take ownership of their projects
and by encouraging them to contribute to their own community.
Local Agendas:
Kickz projects are often engaging hard to reach young people in target areas at key times and
a number of locally shared agendas and policy priorities are addressed. Examples include
significant contributions to the national indicators and local targets for Local Strategic
Partnerships. Including:
* The Performance Framework for Local Authorities: with multiple indicators addressed
under the Stronger Communities, Safer Communities and Children and Young People
headings.
* Youth Service Performance Targets: particularly in terms of contact, participation, recorded
outcomes, accredited outcomes and number of young people on the path to success.
* National Standards for Positive Activities: providing excellent figures in terms of access to
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sport (2hrs+), personal development and volunteering.
* Various objectives of Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships and Social Housing
Providers.
* Islington Partnership Plan. Kickz supports themes 1 (Serious violence), 2 (Young people), 3
(Youth drug and alcohol misuse) and 5 (Community and anti-social behaviour).
* Kickz has received funding from Islington's Local Area Agreement linking the project to
outcomes around anti social behaviour, crime and youth violence.
More information on national and local agendas addressed by the Arsenal Kickz Programme
can be found by downloading the national Kickz report at:
www.footballfoundation.org.uk/kickz
The Arsenal Kickz in Islington DVD can be viewed by visiting:
www.arsenal.com/kickzproject
1.1. Partner Agencies
Partner Agencies
Partner
Financial Contribution
Support
Police
£10,000
Islington police are an
essential partner and have
been instrumental in the
success of the Kickz schemes.
Guidance and support is
always available form the
very top of the Service to the
PCSO's and the SNT's. Along
with funding there is strategic
direction and guidance
provided through the steering
group
Partner Testimony
Islington Police are fully supportive of the excellent work the AFC Kickz team have done at
both Elthorne Park and Rosemary Gardens Kickz projects. I would like to highlight the
tremendous work being done currently in successfully engaging both Hackney and Islington
youths at the Rosemary Gardens project.
Islington Council
£10,000
A range of Islington
departments play important
roles within Arsenal Kickz.
Please see below for further
information.
Partner Testimony
Arsenal in the Community
Management and direction of
project linking to support
from other departments
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within Arsenal Football Club
including Press &
Communications, Box Office,
Stadium Management,
Accounts, IT and
Administration.
Partner Testimony
Arsenal in the Community has a long history of developing social inclusion programmes. We
have a real interest in using them to attempt to support young people with the challenges they
face. Kickz has provided another opportunity for us to reach more young people and work
with other partners to support our efforts.
Islington Young People's
Drug & Alcohol Service
Steering Group members. Sub
group members re funding.
Access to young peoples drug
& alcohol workers.
Partner Testimony
Arsenal Kickz provides positive activities to young people in the London Borough of
Islington. It provides a space to develop their talents with further opportunities for education
and training. Islington, Camden and Westminster Drug Action Teams have now provided
training to enable staff to give young people involved In Kickz honest and accurate
information about substance misuse issues and sources of support. This has been a good
starting point and the Islington Young Peoples' Drug and Alcohol Service will be building on
these opportunities to engage young people around substance misuse in the coming year.
Islington Leisure & Green
Space
£189,000
Steering group membership.
Capital investment for facility
upgrades. Operational support
re maintenance, parks patrols
and access to anti social
behaviour statistics form Park
Wardens reports. Funding
advice through sub group.
Links to other partners. Links
to other initiatives.
Partner Testimony
Having 2 Kickz sessions in the smallest borough of London has made a massive influence on
the community. To have both projects being run in partnership with a number of partnership
workers on new pitches means that structured activity is being run when youth crime and
disorder is at its media hyped highest. The Kickz project provides the opportunity for youths
from across boroughs to communicate and get on with each other in a structured
environment. Having this scheme has also allowed us to apply successfully for a variety of
funding to upgrade the facilities. The number of times of Parks Police have been called to
both site has been less and interaction that the Parks Police have with the youths is a lot
better.
Islington Youth Offending
Service
Steering Group membership.
Advice re young people.
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Referrals. Strategic guidance
and links to partners.
Partner Testimony
The YOS continues to support the Kickz programme and encourages all YP that are being
supported by the prevention team to access the very positive activities within the borough
that the Kickz programme offers. We look forward to building on this in 2009
Cambridge Education @
Islington
Steering Group membership.
Links to schools and
education networks.
Partner Testimony
Having such a successful project based at Mount Carmel Technology College for a
temporary period was proof that schools and community projects can work together to
benefit young people outside of curriculum time. Cambridge Education at Islington are
pleased to be associated with this excellent project and will do all it can to support the project
in the future
Access 2 Sport
Delivery partner. Access to
training and accredited
qualifications. Access to
tournaments. Advice and
support through a number of
different partnerships.
Partner Testimony
The Kickz project has had a great impact in Islington in the area in which it operates,
offering young people important opportunities to participate in new sporting activities but
also to develop new skills and abilities sporting and non – sporting. For instance the project
has helped many young people to gain qualifications as sports coaches. We have also seen
new participants in tournaments such as the Islington Community Cup held during the
holiday periods as a result of the Kickz Programme activities.
Islington Boxing Club
Steering group members.
Delivery partners. Access to
facilities.
Partner Testimony
Arsenal Kickz has been fantastic for Islington Boxing Club. It has linked us to a wide range
of partners and the Council.
Friends of Elthorne Park
Advice on local area and
partnerships.
Partner Testimony
The new astroturf pitch and Kickz coaching courses at Elthorne Park have made an
absolutely enormous difference to the community and park. The pitch is used by local boys
of all ages the whole time and as a result the park is a friendlier and better place to be.
Canonbury Youth Project
Steering group members.
Delivery partners. Detached
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youth work support. Advice
regarding young people and
local area.
Partner Testimony
The kickz project has supported young people from Islington and Hackney, who in the past
have been at loggerheads with each other participate in training and football matches
together. The project has helped break down barriers and provided a platform to discuss
football skills, teams etc rather than who comes from what postcode. In the past the park was
used as neutral ground for local gangs to meet up and fight it out – with the improvements
and regular activities taking place in the park it is no longer a dead end place!
Urban Hope Youth Project
Steering group members.
Delivery partners. Detached
youth work support. Advice
regarding young people and
local area.
Partner Testimony
Islington Primary Care Trust
Anti smoking training for
delivery staff
Partner Testimony
It is hoped that if an opportunity arises where a young person needs advice about smoking
staff will be prepared to help. We look forward to continuing to work in partnership to ensure
the health of the young people in Islington.
Choice FM
Delivery partner - Peace on
the Streets initiative.
Partner Testimony
The Peace on the Streets event at the Emirates was a great success. It interacted with young
people who could be deemed 'hard to reach'. More events of this nature are needed.
Metropolitan Police
Authority/Islington
Community Safety Board
Strategic advice. Partnership
links. Promotional support.
Partner Testimony
Springboard Islington Trust
Long standing partner of
Arsenal in the Community.
Arsenal Entry 2 Employment
partner.
Partner Testimony
We are delighted to support the very important work that Arsenal does as part of its Kickz
programme which is making a real impact in diverting young Islington people away from
crime and anti-social behaviour.
Islington Safeguarding
Children Board
Guidance and advice
regarding safeguarding young
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people. The link also ensures
that the project is closely
aligned to the Every Child
Matters agenda both locally
and nationally.
Partner Testimony
Arsenal Kickz is a key member of the Islington Safeguarding Children Board Sports
Safeguarding Network. They have been instrumental in developing Islington's Safeguarding /
Child Protection Policies and Procedures for Sports Clubs.
Islington Children's Services
Linked to a range of agencies
under Children's Services.
Strategic advice. Operational
support. Training
opportunities. Training
opportunities re Integrated
Working/Common
Assessment Framework.
Child
protection/safeguarding.
Access to detached youth
work provision.
Partner Testimony
By sending their staff on training and working towards the Integrated Working Programme,
Arsenal Kickz will be playing a key role together with other children's services in Islington to
identify children who are at risk of not meeting the Every Child Matters outcomes and help
implement early intervention strategies to support children, young people and their families
in reaching their potential.
Football Foundation
Funding. Strategic support.
Training/staff development.
Steering group members.
Partner Testimony
Arsenal's Islington projects are a shining example of what the Kickz programme should be
about. The club and their partners targeted particularly challenging areas and have been
successful in engaging and inspiring large numbers of young people, who may otherwise be
difficult to reach. A number of Government agendas are being addressed by the project,
ranging from the Home Office drive to curb crime and ASB among young people, to the
Department for Work and Pensions focus on ensuring young people are ready for
employment. The Islington Kickz projects are firmly addressing all five of the Every Child
Matters outcomes, and the staff involved should take great credit for their drive and
determination in achieving these results. The club were worthy winners of two accolades at
the national Kickz Awards.
Islington Football Partnership
Steering Group members.
Advice & guidance re football
development.
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Partner Testimony
The Elthorne launch of the Cruyff pitch highlighted how pitch improvements coupled with
quality targeted programmes such as Kickz, can really make an impact, even in the toughest
areas.
1.2. Project statistics
1. Attendance and Delivery
A. Attendance
A1 Number of Young People in contact during reporting period
226 100%
A2 Number of Young People registered since Kickz began
326
N/A
5860
N/A
A4 Aggregate contact hours at Sessions
10534:30
N/A
A5 Average Contact Hours (per Young Person)
46:36:46
N/A
652:30
N/A
A3 Aggregate attendance at Sessions
A6 Number of session hours delivered in reporting period
2. Demographics
B. Demographic - Gender
Male
Female
C. Demographic - Age
Not specified
168 74.34%
58 25.66%
100 44.25%
13 and 14
48 21.24%
11 and 12
36 15.93%
15 and 16
20
8.85%
17 and 18
15
6.64%
4
1.77%
3
1.33%
Older than 18
Younger than 11
D. Demographic - Ethnicity
Not Specified
85 37.61%
white
55 24.34%
black
45 19.91%
mixed black
24 10.62%
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mixed race
7
3.10%
Turkish
3
1.33%
asian
3
1.33%
Mixed Asian
2
0.88%
other
1
0.44%
North African
1
0.44%
3. Impact
E. Impact - Outcomes
E1
Preset Outcome
Attended anti-crime/safety workshop(s)
60
Enrolled as volunteer
5
Left the area
3
Gained employment
3
Gained employment/work experience with host football club
2
No longer attending
2
E2 Other Outcomes
F. Impact - Qualifications
FA LEVEL 1
2
Gym Level 1
3
First Aid
1
Child Protection
1
Volunteer Statistics
1. Headline Numbers
A
Number of Volunteers in contact during reporting period
30
B
Total number of short term Volunteers
21 70.00%
C
Total number of part time Volunteers
9 30.00%
D
Aggregate number of volunteering opportunities
150
100%
100%
2. Short Term Volunteering
A. Aggregate number of short term 'new' volunteering opportunities listed for each
volunteering type
Assisting the club Coaching staff e.g. warm ups, basic drills,
low level coaching.
20
Refereeing / officiating at sessions
18
13
Assist in involved setting up of sessions e.g. portable pitches /
lighting etc
12
Mentoring role for other young people
4
Organising / Managing teams (e.g. for sessions, competitions/
tournaments)
2
Other
2
Distributing session promotional material e.g. Flyers
1
Administration at office
1
B. Aggregate number of short term 'ongoing' volunteering opportunities listed for each
volunteering type
Refereeing / officiating at sessions
6
Assisting the club Coaching staff e.g. warm ups, basic drills,
low level coaching.
6
Mentoring role for other young people
2
Assist in involved setting up of sessions e.g. portable pitches /
lighting etc
2
3. Part time Volunteering
A. Aggregate number of part time 'new' volunteering opportunities listed for each
volunteering type
Assisting the club Coaching staff e.g. warm ups, basic drills,
low level coaching.
25
Refereeing / officiating at sessions
15
Assist in involved setting up of sessions e.g. portable pitches /
lighting etc
14
Mentoring role for other young people
6
Organising / Managing teams (e.g. for sessions, competitions/
tournaments)
5
Administration at office
2
Other
2
Refereeing / officiating at events / tournaments
2
Administration at session
2
Leading Sessions
1
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2.0. Project Overview
Project Agency Case Studies
ISLINGTON KICKZ HAS COME A LONG WAY IN A SHORT SPACE OF TIME
October 2006 may seem a long time ago but for social inclusion programmes it’s no time at
all. Building trusting relationships with young people is a complex and time consuming
process where progress is measured in short steps. Reflecting on the developments of the
Kickz programme in Islington and its achievements is a rewarding exercise.
REGENERATION
The Arsenal Kickz project at Elthorne Park has been the catalyst for facility regeneration
within the park.
FROM THIS
TO THIS
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ENGAGEMENT & LISTENING TO YOUNG PEOPLE
We are keen to hear the views of young people on the programme and use a variety of ways
to hear their voices. When they do step forward to give their opinion it’s important that we
listen to them.
One young person put a bottle of beer on our feedback questionnaires as we were taking this
picture. It provided an opportunity to talk about boundaries at the sessions and address one of
the issues that young people face.
"The group thought it was a laugh but I saw it as a chance to talk about what was
acceptable at the sessions and speak to them about alcohol."
Jamie Monteith, Arsenal Kickz
It has taken a long time to reach the point where participants feel comfortable to talk to us
about issues and we are proud of the relationships that our staff are developing with them.
We are pleased with the way the Rosemary Gardens Kickz project has settled. The area has
had its fair share of problems in the past. Along with good attendances we are also enjoying
committed support from local partners such as the Safer Neighbourhood Team, The
Canonbury Project and Urban Hope Youth Club. We sense that there is a real appreciation of
the project from young people and partners.
"It‟s great to see young people from Marquess, Packington and Hackney now playing
football together and developing positive relations with groups and individuals from other
areas." Roger Elderton, Detached Youth Worker, Islington
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ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITY AT ROSEMARY GARDENS
RECOGNITION
The National Kickz Awards held at Wembley Stadium provided recognition for the Islington
scheme and a chance for the partnership to celebrate its achievements. Arsenal were short
listed in six out of the ten categories and won two of these.
SHORT LISTED FOR THE FOLLOWING AWARDS – Volunteer, Outstanding Partner
Support, Inspiring Young People, Outstanding Personal Achievement, Team Achievement
and Club Achievement.
WINNERS:
Jamie Monteith – „Inspiring Young People Award‟ and
Keelie Fage - Outstanding Personal Achievement
Often the success of projects like Kickz can be attributed to committed individuals and this is
certainly the case with Jamie who has thrown himself into the role as project lead, taking full
interest and responsibility for young people on the programme and their development.
Islington born Jamie understands the challenges faced by young people growing up in the
area. This knowledge coupled with a genuine concern for participants well being makes him
an ideal role model.
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JAMIE – RECEIVING ‘INSPIRING YOUNG PEOPLE’ AWARD AT WEMBLEY
Keelie Fage – „Outstanding Personal Achievement‟ - Keelie has made massive steps in her
personal life. She has moved away from her family and into her own flat in Islington living
independently. After being a participant and volunteering on the project she now leads
sessions and has gained the trust of the young people she works with. They look up to Keelie
and some see themselves in her and what they can aspire to be. Keelie is now a part time
member of staff passing on what she has learnt. We have a genuine role model that has come
through the project and we are proud of her achievements.
2.1. Scheme Overview
Overview Case Studies
COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS
Rosemary Gardens is situated on the edge of Islington close to its border with Hackney.
Traditionally the area has been notorious with a long history of disputes between groups from
Marquis and Packington estates in Islington and Hoxton and Holly Street estates in Hackney
dating back to the 1990’s. In recent years relations have improved immensely with both
boroughs investing heavily in the fabric of the respective housing estates.
Roger Elderton has been a youth worker in this area for 20 years and clearly remembers the
days gone by when there were serious issues between groups of youths from both boroughs.
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Roger explains things from his perspective.
"I've been a detached youth worker in Islington for the past 20 years, working on the
estates and side streets along the Essex Rd (Canonbury and St Peters Wards). During this
time there have been many serious incidents of youth disturbance and fighting between
young people from Hackney and the south side of Islington.”
“Some of these conflicts were battles between Packington, Murry Grove and Hoxton were
going on before I worked in the area.”
“The football at Rosemary Gardens has brought together groups that traditionally have
been in conflict with each other."
The Kickz project at Rosemary Gardens began in earnest in March 2008. Arsenal in the
Community directed the Spaces for Sports funding provided by Premier League sponsors
Barclays, towards the old cinder pitch in the middle of the park. Islington provided additional
funding on top of the £600,000 from Barclays to make wider improvements. The result is a
fantastic new sports facility in the heart of a deprived community. The police were happy
with the suggestion for a Kickz project at Rosemary Gardens in light of the success of the
Elthorne Park project. Anti social behaviour and youth crime statistics were of concern in the
area and young people often complained of nothing to do.
A SAFE PLACE FOR LOCAL YOUNG PEOPLE
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Young people from both Hackney and Islington come together in large numbers every
Monday and Friday evening at Rosemary Gardens to take part in Kickz activities. Post codes
and territorial differences have not been an issue and both groups mix with each other
through football. There have been some issues on the sessions but these have usually
stemmed from over enthusiasm within matches. Staff have noted that when things have
become a little heated it is the older members of the group that have been the calming
influence.
AT THE ROSEMARY GARDENS SESSION
“A fight broke out on the edge of the park while our session was going on. It was nothing
to do with the Kickz group and our young people were not involved but the staff rushed to
see if they could calm things down. We returned to find someone had run off with all the
balls and equipment but the older ones took responsibility and told us to wait here. They
returned twenty minutes later with all the balls having fished some out of the canal. I think
they have respect for us and value the project. They know we are going to be there rain or
shine and if we say we are going to do something for them we won‟t let them down.
Consistency is what it‟s about.” Matt Roberts Rosemary Gardens Kickz
"Kickz has supported young people from Islington and Hackney, who in the past have
been at loggerheads with each other, they now take part in training and football
matches together." Denise Melton, The Canonbury Project
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Local issues often require the knowledge and expertise of local people. Denise manages a
local youth project and her staff help with the Kickz programme.
"The Canonbury Project youth workers have been supporting the sessions and have been
engaging with those not taking part in football. Some participated in a sailing residential in
the summer and others recently participated in the Scootalive Saferiding project. There are
others signed up to take part in a build a bike project due to start November."
Denise Melton, The Canonbury Project
“One time things got a bit silly in the older group and a fight started after a bad tackle. The
other players broke it up themselves but it was really tense for a while with young people
on their mobiles calling their mates and telling them to get down here. I was a bit worried
at first because one was from Hackney and the other from Islington but again they sorted
it out themselves. They get on well together and play in the same side for matches.”
Matt Roberts, Arsenal Kickz
3.0. Project development (Every Child Matters)
Stay Safe
SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE
With the personal safety of young people high on the agenda at the moment we have been
looking closely at a range of issues that are of concern to the groups we are working with.
CO19 ENGAGING A KICKZ GROUP
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Members of the police specialist fire arms unit CO19 visited the Emirates Stadium to provide
education about the dangers of guns and fire arms. Young people attended the work shop
organised by the Islington Safer Neighbourhood Team linked to the Rosemary Gardens
project.
POWER POINT PRESENTATION
Part of the workshop included debate and discussions around the issues associated with gun
crime. Young people had an opportunity to express their views around these issues with a
particular focus on the consequences of carrying and using such lethal weapons. Discussions
also included the impact on friends and families of those caught up in and affected by gun
and knife crime.
22
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Staff and partners were aware of the sensitivities around delivering such a work shop and
were keen not to glamorise the issue in anyway.
“Guns are often glamorised through TV, music and computer games. The experts from the
police were very good at demonstrating just how dangerous they are. Everyone left the
session having a better understanding of the consequences. There were some mature views
expressed by young people during the discussions.”
Arsenal Kickz Worker
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POSITIVE INTERACTION BETWEEN POLICE AND YOUNG PEOPLE
“The workshop was an interesting, interactive event which issued a timely reminder to the
young people about the dangers of getting involved in gun crime. Arsenal Football Club
and officers from CO19 Firearms Unit delivered a powerful message to the young people
about the physical and legal consequences of carrying a gun and managed to deglamourise
popular images of firearms conveyed in films and video games”.
Sgt. Paul Colwill, Central Police Kickz Team
The police and young people also had an opportunity to positively engage with each other
during the day when they attended a tour of the Emirates Stadium visiting dressing rooms,
pitch side, director’s box and behind the scenes of Arsenal’s home ground.
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LONDON WEEK OF PEACE - BE SAFE WORK SHOPS
Other areas of concern have focussed specifically on knife crime. The Home Office Be Safe
work shop has taken place at both Islington projects with the Elthorne session particularly
targeting female members of the project.
The approach was more relaxed than the C019 work shop. This has been informed by past
experience. We’ve found young people have resisted the structure of formal work shops. We
were able to reach more young people with these messages and significantly many of those
that we are concerned most about by having work shops at the pitch side during normal Kickz
sessions.
25
ADDRESSING THE CONSEQUENCES
“It was a good idea for us to see the actions that will be taken if we carry knifes or guns
around on the street. I don‟t know if it will stop people from carrying but I think it will
make them think twice before doing anything stupid, it‟s a good thing."
Kickz Participant
THE DANGERS OF FIREWORKS
The build up to Halloween and November 5th is traditionally a challenging time. Towards the
end of September staff began to report incidents of young people, often known to the project,
engaging in dangerous behaviour with fireworks, putting themselves and others at risk.
“I play with fireworks and I have never been hurt, when I saw the pictures of that boy I
was shocked that what I was doing could make me look like that. I also know that you can
be arrested if you are caught with fireworks, I think I will leave it to people who are in
control to do the fireworks thing”
Kickz Participant
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RAISING AWARENESS FROM THE EXPERTS
Kickz linked up with the police, Anti Social Behaviour Team, Fire Brigade and Trading
Standards in an attempt to address the problem. In an attempt to raise awareness of the
dangers we used the same approach as the Be Safe sessions during normal session times.
Officers from the London Fire Brigade were able to get the right messages across
highlighting the dangers of fireworks in surroundings that were familiar to the group and
where they felt relaxed, comfortable and safe.
Enjoy and Achieve
ENGAGING THOSE CONSIDERED TO BE HARD TO REACH
Female participation has increased and we are always looking to widen the offer of activities
to young people. In keeping with Arsenal’s tradition of successfully engaging young female
members of the community through football, Arsenal Kickz is enjoying its fair share of
development in this area with a credible 26% of participants being female.
"We have learnt from our mistakes with the girl‟s sessions. At first they mixed with the
boys which didn't really work. So then we held a girl‟s only session directly before the
boys one but we found the girls were a bit inhibited. Now we have the girls‟ sessions at
Sobell and Mount Carmel School and what‟s more they are staffed by females that used to
be participants themselves. Now the sessions are flying."
Jamie Monteith, Arsenal Kickz
27
ENGAGING FEMALES
Two female participants are particularly benefitting from the link as they have gained
qualifications and moved onto part time employment by the programme. There is also a
female volunteer that has made the step to part time employment. All three are proving very
important to the development of the girl’s only sessions.
Beckie and Keelie appreciate the project. Starting as participants themselves they have seen
the benefits of Kickz first hand and didn’t take much persuading to begin volunteering.
Progress was then quickly made and in Beckie’s case she now delivers her own Arsenal
Kickz girls only football sessions.
“I always look out for participants that might be able to take the next step. It‟s very much
about giving the right people responsibility when they are ready. They can go away and
feel like they have ownership for their work but its not always that simple, close support is
needed and if you get this balance right then it‟s amazing what can be achieved.”
Jamie Monteith, Arsenal Kickz
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KICKZ GIRLS IN A DANCE SESSION
JOY HALL - VOLUNTEER TO EMPLOYMENT
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PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT
Providing creative ways to maintain engagement with young people is important and can be a
good way of building self esteem and confidence. When hard to reach groups and individuals
are concerned it is vital to explore what interests them.
STIMULATING INTEREST AND CONTINUING ENGAGEMENT
The project has learnt the importance of keeping young people positively engaged and
attempts to do this through a range of initiatives. At Elthorne Park we have worked very hard
to maintain the trust and good relations with a group of older young people that were initially
very suspicious of our presence.
Asking them what they want to do has not always produced the right outcomes. In our latest
attempt to stimulate the interest of this particular group we have called upon the expertise of a
professional photographer, Sal Idriss. Sal has his own particular reasons for wanting to
involve young people in positive activities. A mentor himself he also has experienced the
tragedy of losing his younger brother to knife crime.
This piece of work centred on the idea of young people photographing their lives,
neighbourhoods and the things that were important to them. It included a visit to both the
Photographers Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, followed by afternoon in a dark room
where they developed their photographs.
DARK ROOM - DEVELOPING PHOTOGRAPHS
Learning new skills has stimulated the interest of a group of young people that felt nobody
was interested in them.
30
"This project opened my eyes to the creative side of the group."
Ryan Jones, Arsenal Kickz
The results are an impressive archive of photographs that tell the story of a group of young
people in a way that they wanted to express themselves.
This is what Sal had to say about the project:
“On December 27th 2007 in Islington, my younger brother became the 27th young person
to fall victim to knife and gun crime in London. This devastating personal experience has
heightened my awareness more than ever before of the countless other families throughout
London who, like my own, have witnessed the unfortunate loss of a loved one to senseless
violence and criminality.
I was put in touch with Freddie Hudson from Arsenal in the Community. When we first
spoke I was looking to work with some young people and to get them involved with my
current photographic project entitled „Famous for the Wrong Reason.‟ As a Photographer
and a Mentor with previous experience working with young people, Freddie suggested that
we work together. We started a photographic workshop with the intention of creating a
portfolio of images based on the every day lives of young people on the programme and an
exhibition to be realised at a later stage.
They were also given a „Point and Shoot‟ camera to record the journey. I wanted to show
these young men that nothing is out of their reach if they really want to achieve something
in life. I organised, as part of the workshop, a tour to the National Portrait Gallery. I was
really surprised to discover that these young men never travelled to this area before, it was
in fact their first trip to this part of the city, outside their estate.
Next step on my workshop was to actually show how to use a single-lens Reflex camera
(SLR) with traditional 35mm films. The young men took portraits of each other and they
also used another camera to document their daily life. A week into the project we met up
again to get into the next stage of processing and printing the films inside the darkroom.
This was one of the most exciting moments of the whole workshop because the students
were able to print their own images and to see the result of their work.”
Sal Idris
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FINAL TOUCHES BEFORE COMPLETION
"I never thought I'd see this but one of our group was reading a plaque in the gallery."
Ryan Jones, Arsenal Kickz
FINISHED WORK
“Successfully engaging young people that are considered to be hard to reach is not easy.
First there is ground work to build up trust and then it takes a long time to get to know
what makes them tick. This initiative is a great outcome for Kickz, apart from some great
photography there is a very important journey that this group has travelled. They have
learnt about themselves and found new experiences in the process."
Jamie Monteith, Arsenal Kickz
32
Make a Positive Contribution
COMMUNITY BENEFITS THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS
Along with the benefits to young people attending the Kickz programmes we are also proud
of the wider contributions that Arsenal Kickz has made through the many partnerships that
have developed.
There are a wide range of agencies from the statutory and voluntary sector involved in the
Islington Kickz schemes. Delivery partners Access 2 Sport, Elthorne Youth Club, Urban
Hope Youth Club and the Canonbury Project provide essential help operationally.
The Safer Neighbourhood Teams at each area have embraced the projects providing a range
of support. At a strategic level the police are giving Arsenal Kickz their full backing from the
very top of the Service in Islington.
EDUARDO, PARTICIPANT AND POLICE - AT THE LONDON WEEK OF PEACE
Islington Council show their commitment through a number of departments including
Community Safety, Greenspace, Leisure, Young People's Drug & Alcohol Service, Anti
Social Behaviour Team, Youth Offending Service, Children’s Services and Cambridge
Education @ Islington. Nationally the central Kickz teams at the Football Foundation and
Met Police provide strategic direction for the project and the Monitoring & Evaluation team
at Substance are always on hand to provide their expertise and wealth of experience within
this area of work.
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The regeneration of Elthorne Park is a good example of how partnerships can pull together
and transform a local area both physically and in terms of community cohesion. Below is a
time line showing key points in the projects development at Elthorne Park.
TIMELINE
34
FACILITY LAUNCH
"Elthorne Park is a place transformed."
John Sutherland, Supt Islington Police
"What's interested me as the local Councillor, is the broader benefit and what that's done
for the larger community"
Councillor Greg Fox Smith
35
DENNIS BERGKAMP GIVING ADVICE TO KICKZ PARTICIPANTS
Achieve Economic Wellbeing
A GENUINE FOCUS ON ACCREDITATION AND EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
There are currently five young people that are employed part time on the Kickz project who
have made the transition from participants to Arsenal Kickz staff, in which three of these
were not in education or employment. There is a sixth that began as a volunteer.
A number of Government agendas are being addressed by the Islington project, ranging
from the Home Office drive to curb crime and ASB among young people, to
the Department for Work and Pensions focus on ensuring young people are ready for
employment. The Islington Kickz projects are firmly addressing all five of the Every Child
Matters outcomes, and the staff involved should take great credit for their drive and
determination in achieving these results.
Andy Parrott, Senior Kickz Project Manager, Football Foundation.
36
YOUNG PEOPLE GROWING WITH THE PROJECT
After highlighting suitable candidates staff invest time and energy into individuals who show
an interest in volunteering, accreditation and being employed by the Arsenal Kickz
programme. The Islington Kickz 06/07 report featured a section on the benefits of employing
local young people on the programme. They understand the issues that young people face and
in some cases are able to make ideal role models.
“It‟s weird to do what you use to do with us at Elthorne park every night, now I can see
why it‟s important to have positive role models and people to look up to I hope I can be a
positive influence in young people‟s lives as you have been on mine.”
Aaron, Participant to Kickz Worker
“ When I started working it was just a job but now I can see that it‟s so important to give
young people a opportunity to grow and express themselves in different ways and I hope I
am someone who can be approachable and help when and if I can in any way I can.”
Keelie, Participant to Kickz Worker
“Its weird young people looking at you as a role model, I remember when you use to take
us training and you would always pick up if we swore. I use to think he never swears how
can he do it but I have now found myself telling all the younger girls to watch their
language its funny I thought you were crazy when you told us that but I can now see why
you did.” Becky, Participant to Kickz Worker
Apart from the community contribution these young people have made it has also provided
them with a real sense of responsibility, achievement, confidence and self esteem along with
a sense of pride in their community.
37
"The Kickz projects in Islington has achieved notable success in encouraging young
people (many of whom are not in education, training or employment), to give back to their
communities through volunteering. With training and mentoring this has in turn made
these young people more employable. Some have gone onto gain direct employment with
the clubs social inclusion schemes and others have been signposted to external
opportunities."
Andy Parrott, Senior Kickz Project Manager, Football Foundation
Joy began as a volunteer on the Kickz project but very quickly moved onto part time
employment and has developed into an important member of the Kickz delivery team.
"Kickz provided a means for me to really give back to my local area, especially the young
girls. I really enjoy being involved with the girls Kickz sessions and have seen the project as
well as the participants grow in the time the sessions have been going. Getting more girls
involved in football can be difficult but Kickz provides these girls with an opportunity to get
involved."
Joy Hall, Arsenal Kickz
There are enormous benefits to this approach from many angles but it’s the link to the
Government’s Every Child Matters agenda that is significant if we are to sustain the
provision in the long term. Contributions to all five strands are being made, some more
readily than others. It can be argued that the ‘Being Healthy’ and ‘Enjoy and Achieve’
contributions come naturally through activities. An example of our contribution to the
‘Staying Safe’ agenda is addressed in the ‘Supporting Young People’ case study and this case
study reflects how we are attempting to contribute to the ‘Economic Well Being’ agenda.
“There is something that seems right about using the funding we receive to engage, train
and employ local young people on the Kickz programme, especially in the current
economic climate.”
Freddie Hudson, Arsenal in the Community
38
GIVING SOMETHING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
Aaron’s story can be found in the young person’s case study that follows. It highlights the
steps we are making towards improving the opportunities for young people from the
programme.
As one of the first participants on the Elthorne Park Kickz project Aaron enjoyed the football
activities. He was part of an older group that were suspicious of the project and staff but he
soon began to trust staff members Jamie and Ryan.
4.0. Young people's stories
AARON MARAGH - THE PROJECT IS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Aaron began with Kickz as a participant and is now employed part time on the project. One
of the aims form the national Kickz team is to help young people reach their potential.
Arsenal Kickz believes that it is well placed to make valuable contributions to the
development of young people and once in a while the efforts pay off.
In our last report we featured Ryan Jones who is now a key member of our Kickz part time
staff and an important role model for others from the area. Aaron Maragh is our focus in this
report and a good example of just how a young person can benefit form such projects and
crucially form the relationships built with staff.
39
Kickz lead at our Elthorne Park project, Jamie Monteith interviewed Aaron to find out just
what the project has meant to him.
How did you find out about the Kickz project?
“I found out the project was going on through my friends saying arsenal were coaching
football to the younger kids.”
What were your first impressions of the project?
“It was just like the rest of the guys that came around I didn‟t think that we would see you
guys in 6 months time.”
And what are your impressions now?
“When you first came around we (B Block crew) thought that you guys were with the
police and all you wanted from us was details so you could pass them on and grass us up.
But now I can see past all that and I understand that all you lot want to do is help us better
ourselves and get us jobs and on courses that will allow us to get jobs.”
Before the project what would you do during the times between 6-9pm?
“I would plot around the park at night with my pals and drink and smoke and have jokes,
we did this every night and I would not get home until around 3-4 in the morning. I just
stayed in the park. I didn‟t like school very much I got into the wrong crowd and bunked
off a lot”
How many times would you say you would have attended the Kickz sessions per week?
“I attended every night apart from Tuesdays and Fridays we (olders) wanted the sessions to
run every night even on weekends.”
What would you say the Kickz project has given you?
“When I went to school I didn‟t get on with the teachers. I don‟t think they understood me
and when I started the project at Elthorne I thought the same but then I could see you
could talk to you on a level and you wouldn‟t judge me or try to make me do something
that I did not want to do. Now I have my FA Level 1 and I am enrolled on a Chart Stage
course and I am looking to do my FA Level 2 and a Youth Work course soon.”
How did you find the FA Level 1?
“When you said it was over in hackney at the B6 Centre I was worried because I had never
been in that area before, but you said that you would take us and that made me feel a bit
better. When we arrived we got given a massive book and was told we had to fill this up I
was ready to walk out with the rest of the guys but then I could see that you had given up a
lot to get us here so we stayed. It was hard but I completed it and am now a qualified coach
and want to do my Level 2.
40
So now you are working part time with us how did that happen?
“At first I‟m not going to lie we thought you only cared about the younger lot because
these guys went on trips had football games and we got nothing but we got to know you
guys and we could see that you were not police but coaches. Then we saw Ryan get a part
time job and we asked how he did it and you said you first have to pass your FA Level 1
and then you can start volunteering and then from that you can look in to what you could
do for us. So I got my Level 1 with the help of you and Ryan and volunteered for 4 months
and because of my hard work I was given the opportunity to work part time.”
You travel all around London working with the Kicks project how does that make you feel?
“When I was younger I thought that you could never go into different areas because you
could get in a fight and sometimes stabbed. When we played teams from different areas I
was sometimes on edge because I thought something might happen and I might have to
defend myself but as time went on the people I was scared of are now my friends. I‟ve seen
that if you go with the wrong attitude into situations you will get in trouble but if you
respect other people then you will be fine. Now I feel I can travel all over and not fear
anything because of my attitude.”“I can understand why kids carry knives around because
of fear and they want to defend themselves and I use to be the same but now I can see what
damage it can do and if I saw any of my younger with a knife I would gat him to think of
what could happen if he used it and ask him to get rid of it”
How do you feel now you are working?
“I feel more confident with myself and what I want from life where before I didn‟t know
what to do. I wanted to help my mum out so I did some things that I am not happy with but
you have to do it, that put massive pressure on me and I didn‟t feel comfortable with it but
now I can help my mum out and help myself out with rent and new trainers and tops.”
Do you think you have changed as person since being involved with Kickz?
“Before I was anti work and was happy to sit around and didn‟t even think about work.
Now I can see that I can achieve things that before I thought I could never do. I can make
people around me proud of what I am doing with my life and shut the people up who said I
would not do anything with my life and that‟s down to you and Kickz.”
What do you think you would be doing now if you weren’t doing Kickz?
“I would be in the park and around the ends with my friends smoking drinking and
thinking of how to make money.”
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What do you think of the changes in the park?
“Before we had fights with the alcoholics in the park but now you never see them because
of all the activity in the football area. We used to go down Whittington Park to play football
on the pitch and get into fights with people because we couldn‟t get on the pitch but now
we have our own pitch and we can play anytime whenever we want.”
So what are your plans for the future?
“I want to complete my FA Level 2 and get my qualifications in youth work and show the
younger guys that you don‟t have to hustle to earn your money. Show them if you listen
and put your mind to it you can achieve great things and to look at me as an example and
to tell them if I can do it then why can‟t they.”
AARON WORKING ON THE ROSEMARY GARDENS PROJECT
42
5.0. Development and Future Plans
Activities/schemes of work
The foundation that provides engagement at both venues is the football schemes. Two nights
each week at Rosemary Gardens and four nights at Elthorne Park enable staff to get to know
young people and grow trusting relationships.
The Elthorne project also offers regular boxing, dance and girls only sessions along with
opportunities to participate in other activities such as residential trips, bowling, photography,
and cinema visits. We have adopted a 'taster' approach to the alternative activities at
Rosemary Gardens with bike building work shops which will be followed by basket ball,
dance and boxing sessions.
Other activities have included formal and informal work shops around personal safety, guns,
knives and fireworks. The project is aware of the need to offer a variety of activities to
maintain interest and this approach also provides an opportunity for staff and young people to
get to know each other. We have found that residential trips provide an ideal environment to
raise awareness and constructively engage young people in conversations about such issues.
Staffing
The projects are overseen by a senior member of Arsenal's Community Team with
operational and delivery responsibility shared by a number of full and part time staff. A new
member of staff has recently been appointed as Kickz Co-ordinator with responsibility for
Arsenal Kickz projects across Islington, Camden and Westminster.
Arsenal in the Community is proud of the approach it has adopted to staffing with a rich
history of developing and investing in young people who have graduated from a range of
training and education programmes managed by the department.
The Kickz schemes in Islington currently employ one full time member of staff who was a
participant in an Arsenal in the Community scheme form the age of ten. There are five part
time staff, some of which work up to fifteen hours each week, who have come directly from
the Kickz projects. A sixth has made the step from volunteer to part time employee.
This commitment to young people has obvious personal benefits to individuals, looking
beyond these there are also significant advantages to the project and local community. Young
people from the area have good knowledge of local issues, a valuable understanding of other
young people and tend to have a genuine commitment to the work. Of interest to the project
are the positive role models that these young people can become which often lift the
aspirations of peers and other participants.
43
Accommodation/facilities
Elthorne Park and Rosemary Gardens have both benefitted from facility upgrades through
capital investment from Arsenal in the Community. Initial funding from Dennis Bergkamp
(Elthorne Park) and the Premier League (Rosemary Gardens) attracted additional investment
from Islington Council to regenerate respective facilities.
Both schemes now enjoy continued engagement without interruptions due to poor weather
which was an issue for the Elthorne project during winter months. As regular contact with
young people is an important element to Arsenal Kickz this has been an essential
development for the project.
Other facilities used by the Elthorne Park project include Elthorne Youth Club for dance
sessions, Shuttleworth College in Bedfordshire for residential courses, Islington Boxing Club,
Sobell Leisure Centre and Mount Carmel School for the girls only football sessions,
Whittington Park for matches and tournaments, Caxton House Community Centre and a
range of attractions such as local cinemas and bowling centres. Rosemary Gardens also rely
on the use of other facilities such as Urban Hope Youth Club for bike building work shops.
Both projects utilise the Emirates Stadium for tours, work shops and Arsenal matches.
Office space and resources are provided at Arsenal's facilities in Drayton Park which also
accommodates the steering group and related project meetings.
Partnerships
One very pleasing aspect of this area of work has been the way the project has attracted and
galvanised relationships with a wide range of partners from both the statutory and voluntary
sector. This type of project relies heavily on the expertise of a wide range of partners who all
make significant contributions.
With the central Kickz teams at the Football Foundation and Metropolitan Police advising
from a strategic level and the impressive commitment that is enjoyed locally from the
statutory and voluntary sector, the project is well supported.
Strategically and operationally it is great to have the support of our partners and now that has
been established there is a need to focus on how we all share information about young people
in order to maximise the support we are able to offer.
We know that there are participants who have self referred to the project who are known to
various agencies. We are now looking at ways to share information with our partners (within
appropriate data sharing protocols) in order to offer the best possible support for young
people. One development has been the new Area Children and Young People's Partnership
which may help and we are also looking to meet with partners to discuss how best we can all
support individuals on the programme.
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Communication and promotion
Information about activities is communicated to young people by leaflets, flyers and word of
mouth. Although attendances are good the project recognises that it needs to do more to make
information available to agencies so that they can take advantage of the provision. Leaflets
are designed by Ryan Jones who has stepped up from a participant to part time employment
with the project.
Having supported the work of Arsenal in the Community for over two decades the Club's
communications team understand the nature of this type of work and provide essential
support for Arsenal Kickz projects.
The M&E team at Substance are always on hand to advise regarding related issues and with
their expertise within the field of social inclusion, are very well placed to offer advice from
experienced staff. The Substance Project Reporting System has been the main reason that
Arsenal in the Community has been able to communicate this type of work and demonstrate
the outcomes it has achieved.
The regional meetings organised by the central Kickz and police teams provide valuable
opportunities where projects can come together and find out about strategic developments
and share local best practice. This support is coupled with the regular contact that the project
enjoys from both partners and enables Arsenal Kickz to move forward with confidence.
Sustainability and funding
Since September 2006 Kickz projects in Islington have received £107,500 funding via the
Football Foundation. To encourage long-term sustainability and balance national and local
buy in, the Football Foundation now require at least 50% match funding from local sources
for projects to continue.
From September 2008, Arsenal in the community has secured and committed £83,000 of
funding via the Football Foundation to contribute to delivery of Kickz until September 2010.
Islington Police and Islington's Community Safety Partnership Unit have contributed £10,000
each of match funding which has secured both projects until March 2009.
From this point, further funding is required to match those funds already secured. The
Islington Kickz projects are therefore looking to secure an additional £62,250 to allow the
current level of provision to continue from April 2009 until September 2010.
To fit into traditional tax years, £41,500 is required from April 2009/10, with a remaining
£20,750 from April 2010/11. This funding will be matched pound-for-pound by funding
committed via the Football Foundation.
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Other comments
Arsenal in the Community is delighted that both Kickz projects in Islington have started so
well. Our experience has taught us to adopt a long term view to developing projects like
these, particularly when building relationships with young people and project partners who
have all played their part in growing the initiative. Arsenal in the Community has relied
heavily on their expertise at all levels.
There is a genuine attempt to take a step away form the activities provided by Arsenal Kickz
and look at the needs of young people on the programme. Engagement in activities is the first
step and once trust has been established the project can really get into the nitty gritty of
offering support. This can be from all sorts of angles but essentially once a young person
feels someone is taking an interest in them they do tend to respond. Having the right staff
who are able to offer this support is essential and it is important to invest in them as much as
the individuals on the projects.
Arsenal Kickz is evolving as an important social inclusion provision within Islington and we
are gradually building a solid reputation. The partnership can give itself a brief pat on the
back for its efforts to date; however, there is a BUT! There is still an awful lot more to do at
both projects if we are going to provide robust evidence that projects like Kickz can
genuinely make a significant contribution to some of the serious issues faced by young
people today.
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Attached Document
STILL A LOT TO DO
As Dennis Bergkamp, Johan Cruyff and Robin Van Persie left Elthorne Park closely followed
by camera crews from English and Dutch TV, journalists from a range of local and national
papers and the various VIP guests; they left behind the local youngsters and the Arsenal
Kickz project to get on with business as usual.
Away from all the media attention and beyond the impressive Bergkamp Cruyff Court there
is a very interesting piece of work going on within the project. Apart from the activities that
take place five evenings each week there is also a sharp focus on a number of Government
concerns surrounding young people living in inner city areas.
Many of the media present at the launch have in recent times reported on issues such as
young people being bored with nothing to do, anti social behaviour and knife crime. Solving
these problems is a complex issue and the Kickz project does not for one minute think that it
has the answers but we are confident that we can make a genuine contribution.
So Dennis, Johan and Robin can feel proud, not only because of the legacy of a top notch
football facility but through the hard work of the partnership they can also be assured that
their generosity is paving the way for some very important social contributions to the lives of
the young people growing up in Islington.
For further information on Arsenal Kickz please contact:
Freddie Hudson
020 7704 4144 [email protected] www.arsenal.com/kickzproject
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