What a year it has been for the West Ham United community! You may have spotted us proudly represented on the matchday kit during West Ham United’s historic European campaign. It is an understatement to say we were honoured to be a part of West Ham’s historic European journey, which continues to exceed expectations.
Placed just below the players' shirt numbers, our emblem signifies the unity between the Club and the Foundation, embodying our shared mission to empower and uplift communities. It stands as a powerful reminder of football’s incredible ability to inspire and drive positive change across those we reach.
As we look back on a sensational 2023, both on and off the pitch, we would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the West Ham United Foundation’s most notable moments from the past calendar year, one which will live long in the memory of everyone associated with this famous club.
Highlighting knife prevention work at Old Bailey
In a borough deeply impacted by the pressing issue of knife crime, the Foundation was honoured to receive another invitation to the iconic Old Bailey for the second time in as many years, to showcase our knife-crime prevention strategies.
The visit to the Old Bailey provided a platform to raise awareness about this complex social issue and highlight the importance of the pilot scheme in Newham. The event included a roundtable with Senior Circuit Judge Sarah Munro KC, Sheriff Bronek Masojada and a network of local organisations shedding light on the prevalence of knife-related incidents involving young teenagers.
The discussions emphasised the need for a collaborative approach and provided a platform for like-minded individuals to explore collaborative solutions, share knowledge, identify root causes, and hopefully reduce the numbers of young people involved in gang crime.
Making PLPS student and West Ham fan Bailey’s dreams come true
For the Premier League Community Impact Campaign, we were able to demonstrate the incredible difference our Premier League funded programmes make by arranging a surprise for a local West Ham supporter.
The Foundation recognised Bailey, a year three student from Aveley Primary School who has made extraordinary progress in his academic efforts through the help of his love for the Hammers. Bailey's participation in the Premier League Primary Stars programme, which combines football with subjects like PE, Maths, English, and PSHE, has had a profound impact on his numeracy skills. From initially disliking maths, Bailey's newfound love for the subject blossomed through the football-themed lessons.
As a special surprise, Bailey and his school received a visit from his favourite player, Michail Antonio. This joyful moment brought happiness to Bailey and his family, who have been facing challenges due to his father's illness. Additionally, Bailey was given the incredible opportunity to be the referee's mascot for the Hammers’ 1-0 win against Southampton, leading out both teams and creating a memory that epitomises our mission of making dreams come true.
The Training Ground retain Street Soccer Foundation Cup
The Street Soccer Foundation Cup, held at St George's Park in May, provided a transformative experience for participants from our The Training Ground programme. Renowned for engaging with young people seeking guidance in education and employment pathways, the competition served as a culmination of their 10-week mentorship programme with Coach and Lead Mentor, Paulo Borges-Garcez.
When participants join The Training Ground, they often exhibit shyness and reluctance to engage with their peers, struggling to break out of their shells. Witnessing their growth was truly inspiring, as the group rallied together and emerged victorious in the competition, winning both knockout games through penalty shootouts. Among the many memorable moments, Ayman's journey stood out; overcoming anxiety, depression, and initially walking out of the first session, he displayed tremendous courage by stepping up and scoring the winning penalty in the final shootout.
Any Old Irons choir perform at key Club events
The Club’s most fervent supporters, the Any Old Irons, were honoured to be invited to a handful of Club activations with their singing group taking centre stage.
The heartfelt tribute to Bobby Moore on his 30th anniversary showcased the choir's strong connection to the Club's history. Hosted at the London Stadium with daughter Roberta Moore, the memorial created a warm and nostalgic atmosphere, featuring a coffee reminiscing over their most treasured Bobby memories, laying of flowers at the statue outside the Bobby Moore stand, and an emotional rendition of ‘Bubbles’.
Beyond the touching tribute, the Any Old Irons played a central role in setting the tone at the Road to Victory dinner, a celebratory event in honour of the team's achievements in Prague. Welcoming guests with their renditions, the choir created a festive atmosphere, serenading attendees with beloved tunes like 'Que Sera, Sera', 'Moon River', 'Sweet Caroline', and, of course, 'Bubbles'.
Ending the year in style, just days after their Christmas party, which saw the convergence of nearly 100 members from both the Newham and Hadleigh groups, they spread holiday cheer at the club store before West Ham's home victory against Manchester United.
Fundraising success at Foundation Golf Day & Dinner
Proudly sponsored by Paragon, our Patron, the Foundation achieved a remarkable feat by doubling our fundraising total from the previous year.
The highly anticipated Golf Day & Dinner event surpassed all expectations, raising £60,000. This significant sum directly contributing to the ongoing delivery of life-changing initiatives across the vibrant communities of east London and Essex.
We would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who attended, as well as all our Club legends who supported the event. Furthermore, a special appreciation goes to our auction host, Jimmy Walker, whose charisma added a vibrant touch to the evening.
Supporting care leavers’ futures
As part of the newly launched Future Youth programme, we hosted a unique event at the London Stadium highlighting our commitment to supporting young people with experience in the care system.
With support from the Premier League, we welcomed Johnny Mercer MP, Minister of State with responsibility for care leavers, and David Johnston MP, Under Secretary of State at the Department for Education to collaboratively explore support for young people as they transition from the care system to independent living.
The employability themed session featured a Q&A with care leavers sharing their own insight and advice, as well as a network of representatives from local employers including West Ham United FC, Radisson Blu Hotels and the Metropolitan Police who also conducted mock interviews. This not only provided valuable practical experience but also created a platform for meaningful networking opportunities, laying the foundation for a brighter future.
Pledging our support through the signature of the care leavers covenant, we followed this event shortly after with a roundtable discussion hosted at BT Group, bringing together businesses, individuals and representatives sharing best practice on how to support care experienced young people.
Staff Awards & Festive Celebration
As the curtains drew on another impactful year at the WHU Foundation, we gathered for a festive dinner and awards celebration, a fitting tribute to the dedication and hard work of our remarkable workforce.
The evening served as a platform to acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding contributions of our mentors, coaches, and all those who play an integral role in shaping the essence of the Foundation. Their commitment to our mission has been the driving force behind the positive impact we continue to make within our vibrant communities.
The event welcomed esteemed guests, including Trustees and ambassadors, including Carlton Cole and Marlon Harewood. Their presence added an extra layer of Christmas cheer, underlining the sense of community that defines the West Ham United Foundation.
Uniting our Community
As we reflect on these achievements, everyone at the West Ham United Foundation eagerly anticipates what 2024 has to offer. This year we will continue to champion our message on an international stage as shirt sponsors for West Ham United’s European campaign. With enduring dedication and transformative work, the Foundation remains dedicated to fostering positive change and inspiring future generations.
