Project
Wanstead Flats Playing Fields (London)
Grant amount
£916,804
website
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/wansteadflatsplayingfields
project summary
The grant received has helped pay for the development of a brand new changing pavilion at Harrow Road and to fund the 5 year role of a Football Development Officer to support the teams, clubs, schools and community groups that access the playing fields
what was the grant spent on?
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building of a brand new, fully accessible changing facility with meeting room
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a Football Development Officer to increase access, participation and development.
What are the long term benefits of the project on the community?
Increased participation from under represented groups such as a newly formed Mental Health Football team called East Living who were also successful in receiving a Football Foundation Kit and Equipment Grant with our support. Widened awareness and promotion of this large green space on London/Essex borders. Partnerships created between schools and clubs, new clubs and county football associations, clubs and newly recruited volunteers. Support offered to clubs in accessing and applying for funding, forming new teams, widening access to players with disabilities.
Tell us about the positive affect on individuals
David is an adult with mental health issues who plays for local Football Foundation Funded project Air Football. Air Football referred David to Wanstead Flats so that he could be part of a new initiative we were running with the local County Football Associations, the Wanstead Flats Referee Centre. David had wanted to be a football referee for years. David is now not only qualified, but volunteering as a referee at organised club and community matches and tournaments organised at Wanstead Flats. We worked with David to get him financial support from Official Sports London so that he is now kitted from head to toe and more than looks and acts the part. David takes his role very seriously, studies hard to keep on top of the laws of the game and is a valuable member of the Wanstead Flats Playing Fields Sports Development Team.
quotes
Name: Sinem
Position: Football Development Officer
"Football Foundation support has enabled the City of London to develop and improve their sporting facilities, sports development and contribution to the health and wellbeing of community groups in East London."
Name: Nicholas, 20
Position: Participant
"This project has changed my attitude to volunteering. I thought it just involved using people but I was proven wrong. It’s a learning environment and when you give back you get something back."
