By Lena Dulaurent,
Having honed his skills on the courts of Brixton, Justin Robinson has now turned his attention to giving back to the community that nurtured him. We caught up with him to learn more about his exciting new project and the inspiration behind it.
Can you tell us more about your new project?
I established JJRORLDN last year with the aim of making a positive impact in Brixton and the wider South London area. Our mission is to leverage the power of sports, particularly basketball, to provide mentorship and support to disadvantaged youth.
The latest chapter in this philanthropic journey is Project Impact, a collaborative effort with Lambeth Council aimed at empowering local children. Now in its fourth week, the initiative utilises a blend of sports, including basketball, to engage with young people and deliver crucial messages about substance abuse and grooming.
Can you walk us through the operations of your charity? How do you engage with children daily and provide mentorship?
Project Impact runs weekly basketball sessions for kids in Year 5 and 6 at eight different schools in Lambeth, reaching about 120 kids. Some children are referred to the program due to behavioural issues, and I try to mentor them, helping them channel their emotions positively. We set goals in collaboration with the lead teacher or the head key person at each school.
The project began with a week of roadshows featuring anti-drug, anti-gun, and anti-grooming workshops, alongside basketball and dance activities. Following that, we have been conducting weekly sessions at each school, preparing the kids for a tournament on June 8th, which will involve all eight schools. The finals of the tournament are on June 15th, and all schools will be invited to a Fun Day with music, prize giveaways, a bouncy castle, face painting, and more. There will also be a dunk contest featuring the Brixton Top Cats. Lambeth police and volunteers will be helping out. Hopefully, their parents, some teachers, and more people from the Council will come. The whole Fun Day is about letting these kids know that they are important and that there are outlets and avenues available to them.
Separately from Project Impact, we also conduct workshops to raise awareness for kids going to the States or aspiring for professional contracts in Europe or elsewhere. We address important topics, including potential red flags, how to handle themselves on social media, and general conduct in various environments. Our last workshop was at the BSTN store in Brixton.
Finally, we organise camps that are open to all. During the Easter camp, a multi-sport camp focusing on football and basketball, sports provided an opportunity for mentorship and personal attention. We also provided a hot meal.
What has been the initial reception of Project Impact? Can you share any insights on the progress and well-being of the mentees thus far?
From the first week of the roadshows and workshops in the schools, the kids were really excited. I don't think they had ever experienced anything like this before, combining workshops, mentorship, and sports. The teachers gave really positive feedback, and since it's a free service funded by Lambeth Council, it’s been very beneficial for the schools.
The kids are eagerly looking forward to June 8th and June 15th. Even if their school does not make it to the finals, they will still be invited to the Fun Day, where they can win prizes, certificates, and participate in competitions. I'm really looking forward to it.
In general, what challenges do you face in bringing your projects to life?
Securing adequate funding is always a hurdle, and I am grateful for the support we get from Lambeth. Connecting with other charitable organisations through collaborative projects is also important. By working together, we can maximize our impact to benefit the kids in the long run.