​

Our Story:

​

The story of St Katharine's Trust started when our founder, Matin Miah, noticed an absence of sporting opportunities for the residents of St Katharine’s Dock in East London where he grew up.

 

Despite being in an affluent area surrounded by business wealth, 14% of the local population live in social housing.  St Katharine's Dock is situated in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets which rates as one of the most diverse boroughs in the UK with some of the lowest rates of employment. 56% of children in the borough live in poverty (Trust for London). Many residents suffer poorer physical and mental health outcomes compounded by intersectionality and significant barriers to public services, funding and opportunity. 

 

Matin spoke to the people who live here, from young adults to parents and pensioners. They confirmed that they were excluded from the sports and recreational activities available to their more affluent neighbours. So, in 2006, he established St Katharine’s Trust as a volunteer and community-led organisation to ensure that everyone had the opportunity to take part in activities if they chose to.

 

Since then, St Katharine’s Trust has used sport as a tool to promote positive change in the lives of those who need it with a responsive programme of activities led by local residents. From football to table tennis to cycling, we are committed to improving health and outcomes for local people who are otherwise disadvantaged through free-to-attend activities. To date, we’ve also provided first-aid courses, healthy-eating seminars, and CV and job interview workshops with young adults, working with local partners.

 

We have operated on an entirely voluntary basis for over fifteen years with no office nor overheads. We have delivered outstanding work reaching hundreds of people through the dedication of our volunteer sports coaches.

 

St Katharine’s Trust is a charity that started by bringing people together through sports. We’ve continued to reach out to people beyond the playing field to ensure that at St Katharine’s Trust,  Everyone Makes the Team.

​

Take a look at some of the activities we run on our What We Do page, get involved or get in touch!