Brentford FC Community Sports Trust marked the launch of their latest impact report Changing Horizons on Monday 7 November.
More than 200 people - including Club and Trust staff, partners and politicians - gathered for an event at the Gtech Community Stadium, which featured a panel discussion with head coach Thomas Frank, chief executive Jon Varney and Community Sports Trust chief executive Lee Doyle.
On the night, the trio spoke about the importance of a football club being active in its community; the impact that players can have by engaging in Trust activities; and how the performances of the team on the pitch can inspire those away from it.
Frank was then joined on stage by Shaun Preddie - brighter futures and peace coordinator at the Trust - along with two young Trust participants, who spoke about their experiences with the Trust, the common challenges that are facing local young people, and how important a role coaches and youth workers have in the community.
Speaking at the event, Frank said: “I know we all celebrated the promotion to the Premier League, it was a fantastic day, but everything that the people at the Community Trust do is what really matters. They are the real heroes.”
The Trust has established itself as a pioneering organisation for the local community, which uses the power of sport to educate, motivate and inspire people from all backgrounds.
Changing Horizons covers their activities from April 2020 to March 2022 and focuses on the successes and challenges throughout their 35-year history.
The opening of the Trust’s new offices and sports facilities at Gunnersbury Park has helped them work with more than 12,000 local people over the past year.
The Trust delivers a range of programmes that aim to create life-changing impact, which includes working with more than 170 local primary and secondary schools.
Doyle added: “We’ve got a model that is potentially as good as anywhere in the world. That’s a big statement, but you just have to look at our community set-up, the proximity and the scope of Gunnersbury, and then the Gtech Community Stadium.
“I’m so proud of the work we’ve done, but also the relationships and the people – they’re all so passionate.
“I’m proud of our team and how we’ve progressed – the volunteers, the trustees – and it’s also now about what we can do moving forward.”