Not long ago, Jorginho made a special showing at an Arsenal in the Community (Holiday Activities and Food) event that took place at the No More Red pitch in King’s Square, Islington. The Arsenal midfielder took part in a coaching lesson and talked with the young players. At the end of the practice, he picked out the best player and gave each participant a signed football and a bag.

For 20 years, the Positive Futures program has been going strong with the help of Islington Council. It offers safe places for kids to be outside of school hours by holding free football games on six local areas every week. The program isn’t just about football; it also gives participants good role models and support outside of football.

Children ages 8 to 16 can attend sessions for free, and each year over 500 kids and teens gain from them. During the summer, the program includes short courses on nearby farms where kids can play football from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and get a free lunch every day.