The West Ham United Foundation welcomed 80 people from the local area experiencing or at risk of homelessness to The Foundry as part of community support project Hammers for Hope.
Designed to offer a pathway towards long-term independence, the Hammers for Hope programme - supported by the Premier League and the Professional Footballers’ Association - combines tailored physical activity sessions with employability support and wellbeing resources.
The programme is predominantly being delivered in partnership with Your Place, a local charity committed to solving homelessness 'one person at a time'. By working collaboratively, the Foundation and Your Place are creating a safe and supportive environment where residents can rebuild confidence, develop new skills and ultimately take steps towards stability and self-sufficiency.
As an extension of this initiative, the Foundation opened the doors of The Foundry to welcome groups from nine east London homeless services.
The Foundry - the Foundation’s newly-developed headquarters in Beckton, Newham - significantly expands West Ham United’s community footprint, enabling the Club and Foundation to reach more than 60,000 people each year through 35 programmes supporting people of all ages across east London, Essex and beyond. The hub supports up to 4,000 community participants each week across education, employment, physical and mental health, social inclusion and enterprise programmes, and is projected to deliver £75 million in social value within its first five years.
Throughout the day, guests accessed a range of meaningful services designed to support wellbeing, dignity and confidence. Running alongside West Ham United’s retail shopping experience, and the Foundation’s employability and football activities, local organisations and charities delivered essential services, including: haircuts delivered by Haircuts4Homeless, Newham Family Hub Network offering guidance, a double decker bus from Change Please providing dental review and financial advice, in addition to catering and training services from Beyond Food, The Foundry’s E6 Kitchen partner.
Men’s and women’s first-team players got behind the event, and Shelina Zadorsky, Amber Tysiak and Seraina Piubel provided a warm welcome via video message from Chadwell Heath training ground to guests and volunteers as they arrived. Similarly, Tomáš Souček and Dinos Mavropanos were on hand at the event alongside Club Ambassador Anton Ferdinand, to offer encouragement and hear personal stories.
Volunteers from Goldman Sachs also played a vital role, lending their time and compassion to assist guests, run support stations and help create a sense of connection and community throughout the day.
In addition to Hammers for Hope, the West Ham United Foundation is providing a night shelter every Saturday. This sees 15 rough sleepers, referred by local charity NEWdawn, given private access to The Foundry where they can receive showers, food and drinks, a warm bed and holistic support through the coldest months of the year.
West Ham United Foundation CEO, Joseph Lyons, said: “The Foundry exists to make sure our community feels seen, supported and valued - and today is a reflection of that purpose in action. Events like this are about dignity, connection and making sure people know they are not facing difficult circumstances alone. We are proud to stand with our community and to continue providing support that is not just meaningful in the moment, but part of a longer journey of hope, opportunity and belonging.”
Fred, a guest at the event, commented: “I love what West Ham are doing. I met the volunteers, had a chat with them, played some games. They were so lovely, caring and kind.
“It’s made my day. I’ve gone out, met new friends, chatted with people and learned a bit about this place (The Foundry).
“I loved all the food they served; it was brilliant. The pie and mash was so good! I even had a bit of the pudding, which was really nice.
“The day is about unity - bringing the community together and making sure everybody participates.”
Club Ambassador Ferdinand added: “West Ham have always believed in looking after our own - and that extends far beyond football. Today has been about listening to people, understanding their stories and making sure they know they matter. That’s what community is. That’s what this Club represents.”
The Foundry features dedicated wellbeing spaces, learning facilities and a welcoming community kitchen and café - the profits of which support free meals for those in need - ensuring the Club’s impact continues to be felt far beyond matchdays.