Barking to help tackle homelessness in borough

Emdad Rahman and Rob O'Brien Archant

Barking Football Club are working with the Barking & Dagenham Volunteering Bureau and LIDL to help tackle homelessness in the borough, writes Emdad Rahman.

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The partnership was annoucned after a meeting between chairman Rob O’Brien and soup kitchen co-ordinator Emdad Rahman.

The club are supplying transport to collect surplus foods from local LIDL stores to assist homeless projects and O’Brien said: “The way I see it, everyone needs a little help once in a while. If we can all pull together as one, our community will be better for it.

“The club is educating the community and inspiring youngsters to be good citizens and this is a practical way of delivering on our values.

“We are an inclusive club and during these summer holidays we’ve run a unique free soccer programme for boys and girls who don’t necessarily fit into their social circles because of their size, or their orientation.

“We have coached them and watched them grow. Their confidence has grown and they are now playing in a mini World Cup tournament.”

Rahman added: “The power of football has brought together a lot of people from all walks of life. We are proud to work with this historic local club, do something right for the community and be a force for good.

“Barking FC is ingrained in the fabric of this community and the club’s ‘better community’ ethos matches ours. This partnership is the start of working towards making a better community for all. Huge thanks to Jon Gildersleeve from the BDVB for making this connection.”