Working closely with Silver Jubilee Park (SJP) and with Edgware Town FC, we are very proud of the work that is done with young people, the community, people with mental health problems, charitable organisations and local schools to name but a few.
SJP and Hendon FC, through stand-alone projects or in association with other partners, make a significant contribution and difference to the lives of a vast number of people of all ages. We showcase a cross-section of some of previous and current projects:
Mental Health
Our multi award winning and highly acclaimed Mental Health programme is an ongoing initiative. SJP hosted a unique event on 'World Mental Heath Day' bringing together a host of local charities and organisations under one roof for the very first time and, in doing so, assisted in making people aware of where help can be freely available. A similar awareness event will be held later this year.
Free entry to Hendon FC games is offered to anyone who may be suffering from loneliness, depression or related issues. This received BBC and national press coverage including The Daily Telegraph and The Guardian and was featured on a number of websites including The Football Association. This offer is also an ongoing initiative.
Christmas Connections
In association with Brent-based charity, Ashford Place, more than 30 elderly local residents were treated to a Christmas lunch. Based on the success of that and the full Christmas Connections project along with Ashford Place, a roll out of the campaign across the year will be announced shortly. This initiative will also operate on an ongoing basis.
Foodbank Donations
Also during the Christmas period, a Foodbank Drop off Centre was established at SJP and visitors attending the ground were encouraged to donate food to those less fortunate. Over 60 large black bags of groceries were donated by SJP, Hendon FC supporters, Edgware Town FC supporters and other SJP users and delivered to Sufra NW Foodbank for distribution by them to those in need.
Sufra is a Community Hub that provides a life-line for people in crisis - including families living in extreme poverty and people who are vulnerable, homeless or socially isolated. They provide them with the food and support they urgently need to survive, empower them to learn new skills and improve their wellbeing, and help them find work and become financially stable. By working together and harnessing the goodwill of our neighbours, we believe that we are building a stronger community where no one suffers alone in silence.
Brent Football Steering Group
We take our position within the local community and within the borough extremely serious and one of the projects we are very much engaged in is the Brent Football Steering Group. As the most senior Brent club, we are committed to making a significant contribution to the development of football in the borough - ongoing.
Wildcats
Having identified the lack of opportunities available for girls aged between 5-11, we became an official FA Wildcats Centre designed to inspire girls aged between the above ages to be involved in the sport. Our Wildcats Centre provides girls with regular opportunities to play football and take part in organised sessions in a fun and engaging environment created exclusively for girls.
FA Community Club
There are surprisingly few Football Association Charter Standard clubs in the entire borough of Brent. Three of them, Hendon FC, Edgware Town FC and Hendon Youth FC are based at SJP. Charter Standard is the kite mark that all clubs at all levels strive to achieve. During the current season (2018/19), and following a dual application, Hendon FC and Hendon Youth achieved the Football Association's Charter Standard top award, the coveted 'Charter Standard Community Club' status. In doing so, we have become members of a very exclusive group of clubs to hold the highest possible Charter Standard level.
Community Day
On Saturday 30 June 2018 and braving the sweltering temperatures members of the SJP Residents Association along with representatives from Hendon FC, Edgware Town FC and SJP joined forces for our second annual 'Clean up' of the park. It formed part of a 'Community Fun Day' in the football ground which included a penalty shoot-out for adults, a tombola, cake stall, refreshments, and the showing of World Cup football in the clubhouse.
Those attending the Fun Day included Cllr. Mohammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council and Cllrs. Amer Agha and Harbi Farah all of whom have shown great support for the community work currently being undertaken here and pledged their support for future events. We intend to make the Community Day an annual event.
Charity Support
We help promote and support a number of charities and good causes SJP donates complimentary advertising space at the side of the pitch in an area that is visible to all visitors to the ground. The boards are in recognition of the excellent work each of those groups do in their specific areas.
Some of the charities and good causes who have so far benefitted from this are
The Tanglewood Club, a small group of voluntary workers who help transform the lives of their members by providing numerous social and sporting activities for people with learning difficulties. We hosted a visit from some of their members recently. Our special guests spent the afternoon watching a Hendon FC game at SJP.
Kick It Out, who tackle racism and discrimination in football. Now in their 25th year, they continue to help make sure that the game at all levels, from the Premier League right down to park football, is a far better experience, more respectful and more inclusive for all to enjoy.
CAD (Community Action on Dementia) Brent who specialise in making life easier for those with dementia and offering help and support to the relatives and carers of those affected. CAD-Brent's mission is to support Brent's residents and businesses to create a dementia friendly borough which enables an improved wellbeing for people living with dementia. Their aims and objectives have been developed through conversations with those living with dementia, their families and carers representing the diverse communities of Brent.
Dementia-Friendly Club
Hendon FC and SJP have joined forces with Dementia Action Alliance and have set out aims and objectives to become a dementia-friendly football club and facility in connection with CAD Brent by 2020. We are the first sports body in Brent to pledge to support CAD Brent's "Together for a Dementia Friendly Brent 2020".
Community Garden
The SJP Community Garden was opened on 10th October 2018 by Omar who started participating in one of our community football projects over a year ago and, as a gesture of thanks, made a donation to the SJP management. With his full backing, it was agreed to establish something within our facility that could be enjoyed by everyone, local residents, user groups and all visitors. It's not the biggest garden but it is unique at a senior football ground and most of all it' the 'Peoples Garden' and has been named after Omar who performed the opening ceremony in front of 70 visitors.
Poppy Appeal
Hendon Youth FC players helped launch our annual Poppy Appeal at SJP with all monies raised being donated to the Royal British Legion.
We like to think that we are a small club with a big heart. If you would like to discuss any of the initiatives described above or have any suggestions for any other community-based initiatives, please let us know.