Arsenal in the Community

Arsenal in the Community
Name	Arsenal in the Community
Formation	1985
Type	Charitable foundation
Headquarters	Holloway, London
Region served	Greater London; United Kingdom; international projects
Leader title	Chief Executive
Leader name	Nick Levett
Parent organisation	Arsenal F.C.

Arsenal in the Community is the social responsibility charity associated with Arsenal F.C., established to deliver sport, education, health, and inclusion projects across Islington, London, the United Kingdom and internationally. The organisation links professional football resources from Emirates Stadium and Arsenal Youth Academy with community partners including local authorities such as Islington Council and national bodies such as Sport England and Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Its activities intersect with UK charities like Barnardo's, The Prince's Trust, and international agencies including UNICEF on selected initiatives.

History

Arsenal in the Community was formed amid broader sport charity movements in the 1980s alongside organisations such as Sport Relief, FA Charity Shield initiatives and programmes inspired by figures like Bobby Moore and Sir Bobby Charlton. Early work linked Arsenal legends such as Tony Adams, Ian Wright, Dennis Bergkamp, and Thierry Henry to outreach in Islington and collaborations with Terry Venables-era coaching schemes. The charity scaled during the 1990s under leadership influenced by governance models from Manchester United Foundation and Chelsea Foundation, adopting monitoring practices echoing National Lottery-funded projects and standards from Charity Commission for England and Wales. In the 2000s it expanded internationally, delivering projects in partnership with organisations like British Council and corporations including Emirates and Nike while responding to crises alongside agencies such as Disasters Emergency Committee and International Red Cross. Recent decades saw programmes aligned with policies from NHS England, Department for Education, and initiatives by Mayor of London offices.

Programs and Initiatives

Arsenal in the Community runs football coaching, employability, and mentoring initiatives similar to programmes from Kick It Out, Street League, and Right to Play. Major initiatives include school partnerships mirroring models from Premier League Charitable Fund, community hubs akin to London Sport facilities, and mental health projects reflecting practice from Mind and Samaritans. High-profile events have featured alumni such as Per Mertesacker, Cesc Fàbregas, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and guest appearances by figures from England national football team and celebrities aligned with Sport Relief and Comic Relief. Programmatic themes intersect with campaigns by SafeLives, Crimestoppers, YouthSport Trust, and international programmes like FIFA Foundation grants.

Education and Youth Development

Education projects partner with institutions such as University College London, London Metropolitan University, Rose Bruford College and further education providers including City and Islington College. Apprenticeship and employability pathways reference frameworks from Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, Higher Education Funding Council for England and vocational models used by Restore Trust and Apprenticeship Levy-funded schemes. Youth development work engages with borough youth services in Haringey, Camden, and Hackney and links to networks such as National Citizen Service, UK Youth, Youth Ambition and Youth Justice Board diversionary programmes. Curriculum-linked sessions align with learning objectives used by Department for Education and extracurricular partnerships with Brighton & Hove Albion in the Community and Liverpool FC Foundation replicate best practice.

Health and Wellbeing

Health initiatives coordinate with NHS England clinical commissioning groups, community health teams in Islington Clinical Commissioning Group, and charities including Cancer Research UK, Diabetes UK, Mind and Back Up Trust. Projects tackle obesity, nutrition, and physical activity consistent with campaigns from Public Health England, Change4Life, and British Heart Foundation. Mental health provision references therapeutic frameworks used by YoungMinds and Samaritans, and collaborative programmes have included screening and referral pathways modelled on work by Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and Royal Society for Public Health.

Social Inclusion and Diversity

Inclusion work engages protected characteristic-focused organisations such as Stonewall, Kick It Out, Show Racism the Red Card, and RFU diversity programmes. Gender and disability outreach links to Women’s Sport Trust, Disability Rights UK, Sport England’s Inclusive Fitness Initiative, and activities with Arsenal Women players and coaches reflect integration with women's football development led by The Football Association. Refugee and migrant support mirrors partnerships with Refugee Council, Migrants Organise, and local legal advice centres like Islington Law Centre. Employment and social mobility strands collaborate with The Prince's Trust, Scope, and Barnardo's case management.

Environmental and Sustainability Efforts

Environmental activity draws upon frameworks from United Nations Environment Programme, Sustainable Development Goals, UK Green Building Council standards and local policies from London Borough of Islington and Greater London Authority. Stadium-based work coordinates with Emirates Stadium operations, energy initiatives similar to Premier League Greener Stadiums proposals, and waste management partnerships akin to Veolia and WRAP programmes. Community gardens and biodiversity projects reference models from Royal Horticultural Society, Greenspace Information for Greater London and collaborations with Groundwork and Trees for Cities.

Funding, Partnerships, and Governance

Funding mixes corporate partners including Emirates, Adidas, Nike, AFC Wimbledon Foundation-style sponsorships, public grants from Sport England and National Lottery Community Fund, and philanthropic ties to trusts such as Gates Foundation-style donors and UK grantmakers like Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Big Lottery Fund. Governance follows charity law under Charity Commission for England and Wales with board oversight comparable to governance at The FA and Premier League Charitable Fund. Monitoring and evaluation adopt indicators used by UK Sport, Nesta, and academic partners at London School of Economics and King's College London for impact assessment and reporting to stakeholders including Islington Council and national funders.

Category:Football charities in England Category:Arsenal F.C.