For the
Community
From the
Community
Building a Stronger Brent Together
Brent is a borough full of energy, culture, and resilience.
But for too many, isolation, poverty, and mental health struggles make everyday life incredibly difficult.
At Brent Giving, we believe that everyone has something to give, whether time, skills, or financial support, to create a borough where no one is left behind.
Through receiving and giving grants Brent Giving supports local voices, ideas, and actions to make the community better for all.
By supporting us, you are investing in real, community-led solutions that make a lasting impact.
Meet the Team
Elijah Williams
Director
Brent Giving
Elijah Williams is the founding Director of Brent Giving, driving investment and community-led change..
With a background in youth empowerment, grantmaking, and justice reform, he has worked across prisons, grassroots organisations, and funding bodies to put decision-making power in the hands of communities. Now, he’s building Brent Giving into a platform for collaboration and impact while still reminiscing about his college days when Wembley Market sold “real” Stone Island jackets for £40 – Sigh.
Favourite Quote:
“Actions have reactions, don’t be quick to judge. You may not know the hardships people don’t speak of.
GURU
Favourite Place To Eat In Brent:
Spicy Basil -Thai Restaurant on Kilburn High Road, where they know my order before I do!
More info:
Esther Foreman
Steering Group
CEO
Social Change Nest
Esther is a native Brentonian. She was born and bred in the borough and although a trained anthropologist, she has spent a lot of time building and running not for profit organisations, including the Social Change Nest..
She helped the Brent Mutual Aid network get up and going and established the Brent Solidarity Fund for the community over lockdown.
Favourite Quote:
“There’s no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about”
Margaret Wheatley
Favourite Place To Eat In Brent:
Arponnar – Burmese restaurant in Willesden Green
More info:
Saira Mirza
Steering Group
CSR Manager
The FA
I’ve worked in many industries, but working in football is by far my favourite, and since working at The FA, I’ve witnessed how Wembley Stadium really is the heart of the Brent Community..
I’m not great at writing personal bios, so I will just stick to one fun fact. I have trekked to Everest Base Camp and summited Mount Kilimanjaro, in consecutive years raising money for charities, which are close to my heart. I completed both these challenges, despite hating the cold.
I am looking forward to seeing how the community utilises Brent Giving to further support their initiatives, and hope it can become a legacy programme For All.
Favourite Quote:
“Don’t count the days, make the days count”
Muhammad Ali
Favourite Place To Eat In Brent:
Lezziz Charcoal Grill – Turkish Restaurant in Willesden I discovered with friends, whilst being lost!
More info:
Fabian Sharp
Steering Group
CEO
South Kilburn Trust
I’m motivated by the role of community in making liveable neighbourhoods, and like to get involved in my back yard..
Working for a community development trust in the borough, I can see the need for, and fully support, Brent Giving’s ambition to direct help and resources where they are most needed. A reluctant urban cyclist and sometimes pootler on the Brent reservoir, I enjoy getting to know different parts of the borough and the people and cultures that bring it to life.
Favourite Quote:
“Kids from Kilburn aren’t meant to win the Tour De France”
Bradley Wiggins
Favourite Place To Eat In Brent:
Vijay – on Willesden Lane, an institution since the 60s, with decor to match
More info:
Sandra White
Steering Group
Chief Executive / Chair
Compost London / Harlesden Neighbourhood Forum
Sandra is deeply committed to community development and grassroots change. She is Chair of Through Unity, supporting families bereaved by homicide..
Chair of Harlesden Neighbourhood Forum, shaping local development; and a Trustee at Manhood Academy Global, empowering young people through rites of passage.
With a background in leadership and capacity-building, Sandra has contributed to initiatives like the VOYAGE programme with the Metropolitan Black Police Association and the ACFF Youth Leadership programme at Oxford University. She has held strategic roles at Catalyst Housing and the Young Brent Foundation.
As CEO of Compost London CIC, she supports emerging voluntary organisations in Newham, helping them grow. Sandra believes in collaboration and works to unite people for meaningful, lasting change.
Favourite Quote:
“A great human revolution in just a single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of a nation and, further, can even enable a change in the destiny of all humankind”
Daisaku Ikeda
Favourite Place To Eat In Brent:
Kaleo – In Harlesden, not just for the food but also for the chill vibes and the amazing staff team!
More info:
Matt Slade
Steering Group
Retail Director
Quintain
In my role as head of eating, drinking and having fun at Wembley Park [or Retail Director for Quintain Ltd as it says on my business card] I have a unique perspective on the growth of a new neighbourhood in one corner of Brent..
I am often dealing with inspirational people who are wanting to make this place a thriving community, many of whom have strong personal ties to the borough. My ties are similar and go back to Barn Hill where my father grew up and this makes me feel privileged to have an opportunity to contribute to the regeneration of the area.
Favourite Quote:
“No fate but what we make”
Terminator
Favourite Place To Eat In Brent:
Remoli – Wembley Park It’s a long Italian love affair
More info:
James MacDougall
Steering Group
Head of Corporate Affairs
The FA
Wembley Stadium is a global venue, at the heart of the Brent community..
I have been lucky to work there for over 10 years. The favourite part of my role is our work in Brent, where during my time we will have seen over 100,000 guests from the community and charities invited to the stadium for events. Brent Giving allows us to reach further into the community and support great local ideas.
Favourite Quote:
“The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning”
PELE
Favourite Place To Eat In Brent:
Three Lions in Wembley Stadium – Where else!?
More info:
Donate!
100% goes to Community Grants
Your support helps local projects grow and succeed.
Every penny goes directly to grassroots initiatives tackling Brent’s biggest challenges.
Donations are taken by Open Collective.
Looking to Fund Big? Let’s Talk.
Brent Giving is more than just a fund it’s a movement bringing together businesses, institutions, and major donors to create lasting impact in our community. If you’re looking to invest significantly in grassroots change, we want to hear from you.
Ways You Can Support:
✅ Major Giving – Fund bold, community-led initiatives.
✅ Corporate Partnerships – Align your business with social impact.
✅ Collaborative Grantmaking – Join us in participatory funding.
✅ Legacy Giving – Leave a lasting mark on Brent’s future.
📩 Let’s start a conversation. Get in touch to explore how your funding can drive change.
🎁 Win a £20 Voucher – Complete Our Survey
Take our quick survey and tell us what your community needs.
You could win a £20 voucher — we choose a winner every 3 months.
We’re launching Brent Giving with a celebration of Brent life!
Send us a photo that shows your community in action. From street scenes, events, everyday moments, or acts of kindness.
You could win £100 and have your photo featured on our website and socials.
📸 Brent in Action: Photo Competition
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