Miss Honor Thomson has been recognised as Chelsea Foundation’s ‘One of Our Own’, to coincide with the Premier League’s initiative highlighting the impact of its investment in wider football and communities.
As part of the Premier League Supports campaign, Honor was astonished when video messages from Conor Gallagher and Ben Chilwell revealed she had be chosen as ‘One of Our Own’ and received a personalised frame with her appearing on the Chelsea FC squad list along with a scarf.
Honor, who is a Chelsea Champion officer based at Chelsea Academy School in Kensington and Chelsea, was provided with her gift in a surprise unveiling at Stamford Bridge along with some of her students.
Since its inception in 2018, Honor has been instrumental in delivering the Chelsea Champions programme which looks to enhance resilience and emotional wellbeing of secondary school pupils. During that time, she has supported a range of participants through one-to-one and group mentoring, supporting their personal and academic development.
Within her role, Honor aims to build capacity and coping mechanisms for young people who are experiencing challenges at home and in school, and her work helps to reduce the likelihood of young people developing long-term mental health conditions.
However, it was back in 2009 when Chelsea Foundation first crossed paths with Honor. That was when she joined our Premier League Kicks Programme at Westway in Kensington and Chelsea. Subsequently, she became a volunteer at the session, completed her FA Level 2 qualification and has been a significant influence in growing our female Premier League Kicks provision across the borough.
Phil Hastings, head of community programmes at Chelsea Foundation, said: ‘It is fantastic to see Honor being recognised as ‘One of Our Own’. Her journey from a participant of our Premier League Kicks programme to now a true Chelsea Champion is something Honor should be extremely proud of. We are delighted to reward Honor for her hard work and dedication.
‘Honor consistently goes the extra mile and she has played a pivotal part in helping grow the Chelsea Champions programme but also wider Chelsea Foundation work across our Social Inclusion and Football Development delivery. Honor continues to represent Chelsea Foundation impeccably and is well and truly ‘One of Our Own’.’