Helping the Stonebridge community

Posted 09/07/2021

As part of our commitment to working with the Stonebridge Community and Jason Roberts Foundation our site team and subcontractor, Oliver Connell and Son Ltd spent time recently repairing a side access pathway which is the entrance to the pitches and Bridgestone Arena at the Jason Roberts Foundation.

The pathway is used frequently by the local community and due to constant use and adverse weather conditions, it had got into a state of disrepair. The Higgins team were able to put in place a safe, non-slip concrete access route for those attending the foundation and going forward to allow access to the centre without going through the indoor facilities, helping with Covid-19 compliance.

Otis Roberts, CEO of Jason Roberts Foundation said, “The JRF team would like to express our gratitude to Higgins for providing a new pathway at Bridgestone Arena, our community hub.

“With ongoing social distancing restrictions due to COVID-19, we had to close the main reception at the centre, and visitors were asked to come through the side entrance. The increased traffic and adverse weather conditions meant that the existing pathway had become a major health and safety concern for us. 

“Thanks to the generosity and proactive response from Higgins, local people now have an attractive and most importantly, safe, way to access the centre. We really are very grateful for the work they undertook to support the local community.”

Amy Ross, Head of Social Value at Higgins Partnerships added, “As part of our partnership with Jason Roberts Foundation and Brent Council we are really pleased to have been able to help create a safe pathway for those using the centre and look forward to working together on the programme of activities and support we are putting in place to help those living in the Stonebridge area.”

Higgins Partnerships and Brent Council have formed a partnership with Jason Roberts Foundation to work collaboratively in the Stonebridge community by providing a programme of support for those living in the Stonebridge area through volunteering, workshops, training and education and environmental projects.

Established in 2007 by former professional footballer Jason Roberts, the Foundation has been working in Brent for over 10 years, and in recent years it has broadened its work to provide a more holistic programme of support, including mentoring, life skills, education and training projects within its wider sports activities. It has worked with young people at risk of offending, those excluded from school or struggling in the school curriculum, and young people with physical and learning difficulties.