JP Morgan Chase and AFC Bournemouth are getting together to create community projects for disadvantaged and vulnerable adults.

The banking giant and the Championship football club will look to improve diversity and inclusion, mental health and career guidance.

The projects are:

  • Bounce Back, in partnership with Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA), supporting vulnerable adults in achieving independent sustained living via a classroom and practical learning.
  • Show Racism the Red Card events, consisting of educational days for school children that are hosted annually at the stadium. They involve a question-and-answer session with a panel, which normally consists of a male and female player, as well as a member of staff from the campaign.
  • Educational and interactive diversity and inclusion workshops for staff and primary and secondary school students.

Lottie Forte, responsible for volunteering and community relations at JPMorgan Chase, said: “This project has been several years in the making and we are delighted to now be working with AFC Bournemouth to develop long-term projects to have a real and positive impact on the local community in Bournemouth.

“Our employees are excited to team up with our friends at AFC Bournemouth and explore the many different ways to make a real difference within the community.”

JPMorgan Chase has previously invested in the careers of black students through its global Advancing Black Pathways Programme. This included a £2million philanthropic investment in 2020 to support non-profit London organisations led by black and ethnic minority leaders. It also set up a £4.8m endowment fund to improve access and employability opportunities for low income, black and minority ethnic university students in the UK, starting with 350 students in the next 10 years.

The initial collaboration with AFC Bournemouth is set to run 18 months, with a review to take place during that time.

Four main areas have been identified as starting points: diversity, education and inclusion; mental health; personal development and career guidance; and disadvantaged and vulnerable adults.

Steve Cuss, head of community at AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust, said: “I have been very fortunate to have had the backing of Jeff Mostyn, our chairman and Rob Mitchell, commercial director and consequently my team has been able to bring some real benefits to the area.

“Our chairman believes this partnership could not have come at a better time and described it as utopia. With these two organisations joining forces to boost the local community, we’re really excited to get started.”

The launch event at JPMorgan Chase was attended by personnel and also viewed online. A panel consisted of Lorna Jeffery, Hannah Elson, Lottie Forte, Jeff Mostyn, Rob Mitchell and Steve Cuss who all gave their thoughts on the project and answered questions.