The redevelopment of the West Ham United Foundation’s headquarters in Beckton is moving forward with great momentum, as trustees visited the construction site earlier this month to see the exciting developments firsthand.
With key progress made over the winter months, the site is quickly transforming into a state-of-the-art community hub. The Trustees were led on a guided tour, experiencing the newly-added spaces that will help support thousands of children, young people, families, elderly residents, and hard-to-reach groups.
The impressive walk-through began with a look at the brand-new café and social kitchen, which is designed to provide a welcoming environment for visitors and staff alike. The multi-purpose health and wellbeing area was another highlight, offering a modern space for wellness programmes and activities.
One of the most exciting aspects of the redevelopment is the new social enterprise zone, which will serve as an incubator for young entrepreneurs. This area will enable aspiring business owners to nurture and grow their ventures in a supportive environment. Additionally, the site boasts inspiring classrooms and mentoring pods, fostering learning and personal development in a dynamic setting.
Upon completion, the new £4.1-million state-of the-art headquarters will have tripled the size of the current building, allowing the Foundation to significantly expand its reach. The transformed site will generate over £75m in social value in its first five years of operation, through intervention, prevention and partnership. The facility is also expected to double the number of people served, increasing the current 2,000 weekly participants to more than 4,000. This expansion aligns with the Foundation’s goal of offering more support to a diverse range of people and creating lasting positive change in the community.
CEO Joseph Lyons shared his excitement about the progress made, noting the significant developments over recent weeks.
He said: “Everybody is hard at work on site, and there have been so many advancements, made even more evident in the past few weeks. The build now has rooms fully scoped, windows fitted, and the installation of electrics is underway.”
The multi-million-pound Hub will be a global beacon, fostering stronger, brighter futures for those on the doorstep in east London, Essex, and further afield internationally.
The Trustees’ visit ended on a high note, with everyone excited about the transformation they had seen. Many mentioned how the changes were truly beyond what they expected and had opened their eyes to the possibilities.
Moreover, as they left, there were shared thoughts about what a game-changer the hub will be for everybody who comes through its doors and how the new spaces feel vibrant, purposeful, and are sure to have a lasting, positive impact on the community.
Reflecting on the importance of the project and its legacy, Lyons said: “We’re creating something special here. Quite literally building on our roots and our commitment to the Olympic Legacy, and expanding themes of cohesion, connection, and community,” he explained.
