BIGKID Foundation

Working to end social exclusion and youth violence in Lambeth and beyond.

Social Inclusion

"This grant comes at a hugely significant time. We are growing in response to ever increasing need amongst our young people."

- Shaninga Marasha, CEO

BIGKID Foundation equips young people at risk of social exclusion and youth violence in the London borough of Lambeth to take control of their lives and act on their potential through community engagement, leadership and mentoring programmes.

BIGKID was awarded a strategic partnership grant in 2023, providing core-funding to BIGKID to help sustain and build its existing programmes in Lambeth as well as support growth plans to other London boroughs. BIGKID is currently helping over 350 young people and over 800 community members through sessions and events at their Brixton community hub.

BIGKID Founder and CEO, Shaninga Marasha, said: ‘This grant comes at a hugely significant time. We are growing in response to ever increasing need amongst our young people. In Lambeth we have developed a unique hub model, where our school programmes interlink with our community engagement and more targeted mentoring and well-being support. Our ambition is to replicate this in other boroughs, building on where we already have a strong track record of achieving positive outcomes with our Breaking Barriers with American Flag football programme.’

In 2016 and 2018, KCCF funded the charity’s Girls Football and Breaking Barriers programme. The programme was based at Larkhall Park in Stockwell, and engaged girls aged between 11 and 19. 183 girls took part in the programme, playing 1,732 hours of football. Not only improving skills, health and fitness, they also found a safe space to make new friends, let of steam, boost their confidence and have fun.

On the 11th November 2021, His Majesty met BIGKID during a visit to Brixton.

BIGKID football team posing in a group with their medals Participants said:

‘I like coming to Girls Football because it boosts my confidence.’

‘Everyone’s energy is amazing.’

‘It’s an opportunity for me to do what I love and I just feel like being in an environment full of people just as focused and as determined as you makes you work harder to be the best person and player you can be.’

‘I was raised in an area in South London where trouble and crime were always close by, and at one point I was temporarily excluded from school. I was also bullied, which lead me to self-harming as a way of coping. I am feeling a lot more confident than when I first joined and I am really proud of how far I’ve come. Thanks to BIGKID Foundation, I am now excited about the future!’

For more information visit bigkidfoundation.org