EXPANDING MINDS THROUGH OPPORTUNITIES
EXPANDING MINDS THROUGH OPPORTUNITIES
THINK OUTSIDE THE BLOX IS THE COMMUNITY ARM OF HACKNEY WICK FC WHICH HAS BEEN RUNNING SINCE 2015
OUR MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS ARE THE CATALYST TO MAXIMISING THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE LESS ADVANTAGED IN OUR COMMUNITY
Think Outside The Blox' is a campaign of unity, positivity and education to help inspire the young people of London to see beyond the danger and destructiveness of gangs and knife crime and realise a better future for themselves.
Bobby Kasanga is a reformed gang member turned social philanthropist and all around community hero. He is the founder of London’s leading community football club, Hackney Wick FC. As a former gang member who served time in prison, he decided to repay his community by establishing Hackney’s first ever semi-professional football team.
Hackney Wick FC is run by volunteers and comprises of 230 active players across 18 teams of differing age groups. Their ethos is based on community engagement and uniting diverse groups, as well as battling peer pressure and tackling gang influences. They engage with those already involved in gangs, those on the brink of gang life and those who might not be aware of the associated risks of gangs, through training, fitness, and playing football, while also offering educational workshops, sporting opportunities, mentoring and access-to-work routes.
'Think Outside The Blox' is Kasanga’s brainchild but the campaign has been developed in partnership with local Hackney Wick design agency HeyBigMan!, a company that also has a strong community ethos.
The anti-youth violence initiative is designed to improve the lives and outlooks of underprivileged young Londoners, through a series of programmes delivered through this unique football club. Unlike previous campaigns around this subject that have a tendency to be dark, solemn and sometimes hard hitting, TOTB will exude an uplifting message of positivity and inspiration.
We took one of our young people to a networking event to help him to Think Outside The Blox. Young musician Reece, who came out of prison 10 months ago was able to mingle and chat with a bunch of A List stars including former boxing champion Anthony Joshua who awarded hin £500 towards his music studio sessions. Reece said "Never in my wildest dreams would I believe that I would meet Anthony Joshua let alone that he'd speak to me and give me money. . This is crazy. I saw many people I only see on the TV such as Kano and Tion Wayne".
The evening was a fun poker night to launch Anthony Joshua's new initiative at supporting black businesses
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