West Ham teamed up with Basildon school for mental health

The West Ham United Foundation collaborated with Basildon Lower Academy to offer students a unique opportunity to express themselves creatively while promoting mental health awareness.

Awareness - Pupils at the Basildon Lower Academy (Image: West Ham Foundation)

The initiative saw Basildon students in the foundation’s Premier League Inspires programme design training tops for West Ham United men’s first team players.

The day was a chance to foster openness and support among students and reinforce West Ham’s commitment to breaking the stigma around mental health and promoting beneficial tools everybody can use.

Fantastic - A design for West Ham star Lucas Paquetá (Image: West Ham Foundation)

Anton Ferdinand, a former West Ham United player and current ambassador in the community through the club’s Players’ Project, was at the forefront of the event.

He said: "What the kids will pick up around days like this is understanding that talking to people is one of the best forms of therapy that you can have.

Together - Raising awareness around mental health (Image: West Ham Foundation)

"Feeling comfortable enough to be open and honest about how they are feeling, because a problem shared is a problem halved."

The project saw students from years seven, eight, and nine come together to design shirts for the players to wear during training prior to West Ham's Premier League home fixture against Ipswich Town.

Amazing - West Ham players wearing the t-shirts in training (Image: West Ham Foundation)

Each design was personal, reflecting the students' own coping mechanisms and sources of happiness which assist their own positive mental health.

Support - Star Jarrod Bowen wearing his t-shirt (Image: West Ham Foundation)

Rebecca Rees, headteacher of Basildon Lower and Upper Academies, praised the collaboration and the positive impact it had on the students.

Education - Anton Ferdinand, a former West Ham United player, at the forefront of the event (Image: West Ham Foundation)

She said: "I think it is fantastic that such a big organisation and well-respected club can come in and work with the students like this.

"Getting to meet former players and having that chance to see that there is support in the community from such successful clubs like West Ham."

Special - Designs that West Ham's first-team players will wear (Image: West Ham Foundation)

The project pushed students outside their comfort zones, encouraging them to work together across year groups.

For some, this was particularly challenging, but it ultimately gave them a sense of accomplishment and personal growth.

Positive - T-shirt designed for West Ham player Max Kilman (Image: West Ham Foundation)