West Ham United Unveil Transformational Community Hub ‘The Foundry’
West Ham United has officially opened ‘The Foundry’, the club’s award-winning Foundation headquarters in Beckton, Newham.
West Ham United Vice-Chair Baroness Karren Brady proudly cut the ribbon to formally declare the multi-million-pound transformational community hub open.
The newly developed Foundation headquarters, ‘The Foundry’, will significantly increase the club’s community footprint, enabling West Ham United to reach more than 60,000 people each year via 35 dedicated programmes catering for all ages and backgrounds. The new community hub will deliver £75m in social value in its first five years of operation.
Baroness Brady, joined by Foundation CEO Joseph Lyons addressed the invited guests, including MPs, political leaders, community partners, representatives from the football world and club ambassadors.
Guests were given a tour of the new hub, which will support up to 4000 community participants of all ages each week across education, employment, physical and mental health, social inclusion and a brand-new enterprise zone, inspiring future business leaders.
The Foundry also includes health and wellbeing spaces, an outdoor gym and a brand-new welcoming kitchen and café, profits from which will go towards providing free meals for those in need – ensuring the club’s legacy continues to be felt far beyond matchdays. This in addition to the club’s programmes which extend across east London, Essex and internationally.
The all-encompassing launch day highlighted the Foundation vision to ‘harness the power of football to maximise life chances and inspire better futures for all’. The West Ham United Foundation has been supporting local charities, good causes and social support programmes for 30 years now, today’s landmark opening will help take that to the next level.
Speaking shortly after cutting the ribbon, West Ham United Vice-Chair Baroness Brady said: “The Foundry represents exactly what we are – a community. A community that helps one another, supports one another and inspires one another.
“And what happens here really is just the tip of the iceberg – the impact of our community outreach work can be felt right across the capital and beyond – ensuring 60,000 individuals will benefit from our support each year.
“The Foundry is an inspirational environment, a triumph of innovation, dedication and grit – all the values that West Ham United prides itself on.
“When we moved to our stadium, almost 10 years ago, we doubled down on our long-held commitment to serve our community and help fulfil London’s Olympic Legacy, across the capital and beyond – a genuine determination to tackle and solve the major problems impacting the people of London, and to illustrate exactly how a Premier League football club like West Ham United can be such a powerful force for good.”
West Ham United Foundation CEO, Joseph Lyons added: “We’re proud to officially open The Foundry, our new community hub that brings to life our mission: to create lasting opportunities for all, grounded in trust, purpose and community. This space is more than a building; it is a catalyst for real and meaningful change, where lives across East London and beyond can be empowered and transformed.
“None of this would have been possible without the vision and commitment of our Club Board, and the steadfast support of our sponsors and funders the Football Foundation, Charity Bank, Trust for London, City Bridge Foundation – alongside our valued network of partners and patrons.
“Looking ahead, our ambition is clear: to grow further, broaden our reach and deepen our impact, ensuring The Foundry becomes a beacon of opportunity for generations to come.”
To find out more about the West Ham United Foundation, visit www.whufc.com/club/community/foundation
Images: West Ham United
