Brentford FC Community Sports Trust and Hounslow Borough Council hope The Big Help Out will inspire people across West London to continue giving back to the community beyond the King’s Coronation Week
Published: Thursday, 27th April 2023
The coronation of His Majesty The King Charles III and the Queen Consort will take place on Saturday 6 May with celebrations all over the country to take place throughout the bank holiday weekend between 6 May and 8 May 2023.
Organised by The Together Coalition, The Big Help Out will take place on Monday 8 May and will use volunteering to bring communities together and create a lasting volunteering legacy from the Coronation Weekend.
A statement on royal.uk says: "In tribute to His Majesty The King's public service, The Big Help Out will encourage people to try volunteering for themselves and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas. The aim of The Big Help Out is to use volunteering to bring communities together and create a lasting volunteering legacy from the Coronation Weekend."
The work of the Trust
With community work spanning more than three decades, Brentford FC Community Sports Trust has established itself as a pioneering organisation for the local community. It uses the power of sport to educate, motivate and inspire people from all backgrounds.
Whilst football and sport might be the hook, they are not always the sole outcome. It is about much more than that. The Trust is committed to helping every individual to ‘realise their potential through inspiration, innovation and inclusion.’
This mantra focuses on every aspect of personal development, about education, about opportunities, about diversion from crime and drugs, about mental health and about diversity and inclusion.
Local Impact
The Trust’s most recent Impact Report titled Changing Horizons was published in November 2022. The report covers the period from April 2020 to March 2022. During this time, it engaged with 10,237 unique participants in Hounslow across 13,739 sessions. The social impact and outcomes cannot be underestimated, not least that this impact was during various lockdowns and uncertain times due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
In addition to this, the Trust worked with 170 schools in west London, supported local people aged from 16 months to over 65, including over 500 adults and children with disabilities through its community projects; and delivered training and qualifications in two local prisons. The scale and depth of work the Trust delivers throughout the community is testament to all the staff, coaches, mentors and volunteers who all go the extra mile.
Volunteering Legacy
Brentford FC Community Sports Trust work with a number of volunteers who go the extra mile to support its community projects. They volunteer hundreds of hours across various programmes the Trust delivers. This can range from supporting children with disabilities, young carers who are struggling to get respite and young people from complex family backgrounds.
Lee Doyle, Chief Executive of Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, said, “Our growing team are a blend of staff and volunteers with a broad skillset. We are always looking for new signings that can add value to our social programmes. We are also building our coaching team, with many staff beginning as volunteers, so please get in touch if you can offer time, energy and/or expertise.”
How to Get Involved
Whilst The Big Help Out initiative is showcasing volunteering opportunities during the King’s Coronation Weekend, the Trust welcome volunteers all year round. If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer at the Trust, or would like to find out more information please contact Calum McHardy, Head of Recruitment, Training & Development at Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, on: cmchardy@brentfordfccst.com
Hounslow’s Coronation activity
Hounslow Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Equalities Shivraj Grewal is looking forward to a weekend of celebration and volunteering activity:
“We have over 60 events including dozens of street parties across the borough from Bedfont to Chiswick during the weekend, many of which are support by our Thriving Communities Fund Small Grants. Keep an eye on our social media channels to find out exactly where they’re happening.
“I’m also constantly surprised and delighted by the breadth and depth of our voluntary and community sector in Hounslow. We work closely with Ealing & Hounslow CVS, who can let residents know about any specific opportunities connected to The Big Help Out, or a wealth of wider opportunities to volunteer across the borough. You can e-mail them at info@ehcvs.org.uk.”
