Esme Scantlebury

Esme works as Special Projects Manager for Bloomsbury Football Foundation, a grassroots football charity that uses the power of the beautiful game to transform the lives of thousands of young people across London every week. Through the physical, mental and social benefits of playing football, Bloomsbury improves the wellbeing of some of the most underprivileged young people in our capital.
In her role as Special Projects Manager, Esme has created and developed football programmes for young refugees, asylum seekers, and young people with disabilities. These young people face a range of issues including physical inactivity, isolation and heightened risks of mental health conditions. Her work involves providing free or heavily subsidised football sessions and wraparound support for young people and their families. For refugees and asylum seekers, this support includes language tutoring, citizenship skills advice, job-hunting assistance and access to mental health support.
The impact of her work is unquestionable. 91% of parents reported that the sessions had a positive effect on their child’s mental well-being. 80.6% of parents said that their child’s physical health has improved because of Bloomsbury Football. And 63% of refugee and asylum seeker participants also attend Bloomsbury’s mainstream football programs, creating teams of young refugees and native-born Londoners. This fosters social networks and friendships, building a sense of belonging and safety.
Esme recently chaired a panel discussing how brands can champion women and girls’ football. This event took place as part of Bloomsbury Football Foundation's Girls Strategy Launch, an initiative that will see Bloomsbury working with 10,000 girls a week by 2028 – constituting the largest grassroots women’s football league in the country
The event was attended by 150 high profile figures from across the sport, media, business, politics and charity sectors. Esme's role was to facilitate conversation among the panel members - allowing for an open and honest discussion about how brands can level the playing field and support women’s football in the same way that they’ve historically supported the men’s game. The discussion focused on some of the key issues the that women’s football has traditionally faced, including gender stereotypes and a lack of specialist products.
The panel members were from a variety of backgrounds but were united in their commitment to grow the women’s game and enact positive change. Esme spoke knowledgably and articulately about the subject and allowed all panellists to make insightful contributions to the event.
Esme has already achieved so much and her contribution to women’s football deserves to be recognised.