17th October 2025
October 17 – West Ham United have officially opened The Foundry, a new multi-million-pound community hub that marks a major expansion of the club’s Foundation and its social impact across East London and beyond.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by Vice-Chair Baroness Karren Brady, who hailed the launch as a “transformational moment” for the club’s community work.
The new headquarters will allow the West Ham United Foundation to reach over 60,000 people a year through a plethora of community programmes, generating an estimated £75 million in social value within its first five years.
Baroness Brady was joined by Foundation CEO Joseph Lyons, political leaders, MPs, partners, and club ambassadors, along with First Team Head Coach Nuno Espírito Santo, Women’s Team Head Coach Rehanne Skinner, and midfielder Tomáš Souček, whose daughter attends Foundation sessions.
The club say that its new site will host up to 4,000 participants a week, offering education, employment and health programmes, an enterprise zone for young entrepreneurs, and a new café whose profits will fund free meals for those in need. The facility also includes outdoor gym and wellness spaces, reflecting the club’s broader vision to “harness the power of football to maximise life chances and inspire better futures.”
Among several flagship initiatives showcased on launch day were ‘Healthier Happier Me’, a joint project with the NHS tackling childhood obesity, and the ‘Any Old Irons’ social inclusion programme for older supporters. Baroness Brady also announced the creation of the West Ham United Night Shelter, which will open every Saturday night – and nightly over Christmas – to provide hot meals and safe shelter.
Named in honour of the club’s origins as Thames Ironworks FC, The Foundry “pays tribute to the workers who laid the foundations of West Ham’s community spirit” more than a century ago.
Speaking shortly after cutting the ribbon, West Ham United Vice-Chair Baroness Brady said: “The Foundry represents exactly what we are – a community. A community that helps one another, supports one another and inspires one another.
“And what happens here really is just the tip of the iceberg – the impact of our community outreach work can be felt right across the capital and beyond – ensuring 60,000 individuals will benefit from our support each year.”
West Ham United Foundation CEO, Joseph Lyons added: “We’re proud to officially open The Foundry, our new community hub that brings to life our mission: to create lasting opportunities for all, grounded in trust, purpose and community. This space is more than a building; it is a catalyst for real and meaningful change, where lives across East London and beyond can be empowered and transformed.
“None of this would have been possible without the vision and commitment of our Club Board, and the steadfast support of our sponsors and funders the Football Foundation, Charity Bank, Trust for London, City Bridge Foundation – alongside our valued network of partners and patrons.
“Looking ahead, our ambition is clear: to grow further, broaden our reach and deepen our impact, ensuring The Foundry becomes a beacon of opportunity for generations to come.”
Richard Masters, Premier League CEO praised the club for its impact on its community saying: “Facilities such as The Foundry show the value professional football clubs create by investing in their local areas, developing state-of-the-art infrastructure, and providing tens of thousands of jobs.
“The Premier League and our clubs are committed to supporting the wider game and communities, contributing £1.6 billion over the past three years.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at [moc.l1760707393labto1760707393ofdlr1760707393owedi1760707393sni@g1760707393niwe.1760707393yrrah1760707393](javascript:;)