The West Ham Community Sports Trust
West Ham United continues to lead the way in terms of community engagement, playing a major part in delivering a legacy from the 2012 Olympics for thousands of east Londoners.
With the final countdown to the Games well under way, the football club is using its pulling power and considerable experience in community work to build on inspiration of the Olympics and encourage more people to take up sport, education and health-related activities.
At the heart of it all is West Ham's Community Sports Trust, a not-for-profit arm of the club that runs a wide-ranging programme of courses and events designed to have a lasting impact on all who take part.
The Trust is well-known for its pioneering work in creating potentially life-changing opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds. Its activities include multi-sport training sessions with the West Ham's first team players, school holiday coaching courses, education programmes, mentoring schemes and health awareness campaigns.
The Trust has received widespread recognition for its work, both in Britain and overseas. Many of its schemes have been copied by others and it has set the standard for promoting diversity. The Professional Footballers' Association recently ranked West Ham the highest of the country's 92 professional clubs for its efforts in raising awareness of anti-racism and disabilities.
With 12 full-time staff and 100 part-time coaches, the Trust works in close partnership with a host of public sector organisations across East London and Essex and is supported by companies such as Cisco Communications and Higgins Construction.
One of the Trust's aims is to promote community cohesion and create equal opportunities for all. It is an ambition shared by everyone at the football club, which recognises its responsibility to make the experience of watching live football more accessible and affordable, particularly through these difficult times. West Ham's football-for-all initiative offers regular discounts on match prices for young people, including the highly popular Kids for a Quid tickets. The club also regularly donates free tickets to community groups and schools.
West Ham takes great pride in being known as a family club with roots deeply entrenched in the community. It's a reputation that has been with the club from the day it was formed in 1895 by a local shipbuilding company as a way of motivating its workers. The Hammers have since inspired generations of east Londoners to achieve in life and now the story is set to continue as the club combines it iconic status with the magic of the Olympics to help many more realise their hopes and dreams.
To find out how the West Ham United Community Sports Trust can help you, please get in touch:
Tel: 020 7473 7720