Zesh Rehman Foundation
Charity 1140086
Overview
Summary
The Zesh Rehman Foundation appears to use football not principally as an end in itself, but as an entry point into social inclusion, education and longer-term participation in the sports sector. Its distinctive role is likely to sit between community sport delivery and structural representation work: creating activities in marginalised areas while seeking pathways for people under-represented across football. Its founder-led identity and trustees’ combined experience in football, sport management, research and commercial sport may support this bridging role, although evidence of scale and outcomes is not available.
Operational geography
Coverage: International
Operational areas:
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Remaining uncertainties
- The Charity Commission records Birmingham City as an area where the charity operates, but neither the current official website nor the Charity Commission entry identifies a Birmingham delivery venue, ward, neighbourhood or City Centre activity. This does not justify assigning an operational area from the supplied Birmingham list.
- The charity reported £0 income and £0 expenditure for the financial year ending 31 March 2025. This creates uncertainty about the extent of active current delivery, including in Birmingham, despite Birmingham City remaining listed as an operating area.
- The official website describes programme models and partnerships, but does not state which, if any, are currently being delivered in Birmingham. References to founder Zesh Rehman's upbringing in Aston are biographical rather than evidence of present-day activity there.
- No physical Birmingham site is evidenced. The Charity Commission states that the charity does not own or lease land or property, and its registered correspondence address is in Ilford, Essex.
- The organisation's overall footprint is assessed as international because its official website describes an ongoing collaboration and children's football programme in Hong Kong, alongside Charity Commission-listed English operating areas. The current scale and frequency of activity across those areas remain unclear.
Additional evidence needed
- A current programme timetable, delivery report or annual return identifying Birmingham venues, dates and lead delivery partners.
- Confirmation from the foundation of whether it currently delivers services in Birmingham and, if so, the relevant recognised places.
- Current partnership evidence from Birmingham football clubs, community trusts, schools, local authorities or football associations showing ZRF-delivered activity rather than general network connections.
- A current impact report or financial narrative explaining activity undertaken after the financial year ended 31 March 2025.
Areas of work
- Amateur Sport
- Disability
- Economic/community Development/employment
- Education/training
- The Advancement Of Health Or Saving Of Lives
Who they help
- Children/young People
- Other Charities Or Voluntary Bodies
- People Of A Particular Ethnic Or Racial Origin
- People With Disabilities
- The General Public/mankind
How they help
- Provides Advocacy/advice/information
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
Football is positioned as civic infrastructure
The available evidence suggests football is the Foundation's practical vehicle for building participation, confidence and social connection, rather than its sole charitable purpose.
Why it matters
This distinguishes the Foundation from a conventional sports club or talent academy. Potential partners may find it relevant to inclusion, youth development and community wellbeing, not only sport.
Show evidence
“The charity promotes social inclusion among Asian communities using sport, in particular football, for joint activity, workshops, advocacy, mentoring and support.”
Source:Charity Commission“The Foundation provides sustainable pathways and opportunities within the football and sports industry.”
Source:Organisation
It addresses representation at more than one level
The Foundation appears to combine direct work with marginalised communities with an ambition to improve representation within football's wider workforce and culture.
Why it matters
This dual focus may make it a connector between people excluded from sport and institutions capable of changing who participates, leads and is visible within it.
Show evidence
“The Foundation works with the wider football community to better engage communities under-represented within the football industry.”
Source:Organisation“Its founder highlights under-representation among players, officials, coaches, administrators, media workers and supporters.”
Source:Organisation
Mentoring may be a central mechanism, not an add-on
Mentoring appears to link the Foundation's immediate activities with its longer-term pathway ambition, supporting both young players and coaches.
Why it matters
This may indicate a capacity-building model: developing participants who could later become leaders, coaches or trusted intermediaries within their communities.
Show evidence
“The Foundation supports the development of young players and coaches through mentoring.”
Source:Organisation“The charity's objects include support and activities that develop young people's skills, capacities and capabilities.”
Source:Charity Commission
- Which places and communities receive sustained activity, and whether Asian communities remain the primary focus in practice.
- Whether participants progress into coaching, employment, education or football leadership roles.
- What relationships the Foundation has with clubs, governing bodies, schools and local community organisations.
Remaining uncertainties
- Recent project reports showing locations, participant numbers, demographics, delivery partners and outcomes.
- Examples of mentoring pathways and evidence of participant progression over time.
- Details of formal partnerships with football institutions and community organisations.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
- Providing sport and educational activities to young people and adults - Supporting the development of young players and coaches through mentoring - Working with the wider football community to better engage communities which are under-represented within the football industry - Using football as a tool for social change, providing structured football activities within marginalised areas
Charity objects
(A) THE PROMOTION OF SOCIAL INCLUSION FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT AMONG PEOPLE WHO ARE SOCIALLY EXCLUDED FROM SOCIETY, OR PARTS OF SOCIETY, BY: (I) PROVIDING A NETWORK GROUP THAT ENABLE AND ENCOURAGES MEMBERS OF ASIAN COMMUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE MORE EFFECTIVELY IN THEIR COMMUNITY USING SPORT, IN PARTICULAR FOOTBALL, AS A MEANS OF GETTING PEOPLE TO TAKE PART IN JOINT ACTIVITY, IN PARTICULAR AMONG SOCIALLY OR ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES PROVIDING WORKSHOPS, ADVOCACY MENTORING AND SUPPORT; ( ) PROVIDING RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES. (B) TO ADVANCE IN LIFE AND RELIEVE NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH: (I) THE PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE TIME ACTIVITIES PROVIDED IN THE INTEREST OF SOCIAL WELFARE, DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THEIR CONDITIONS OF LIFE; (II) PROVIDING SUPPORT AND ACTIVITIES WHICH DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS, CAPACITIES AND CAPABILITIES TO ENABLE THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN SOCIETY AS MATURE AND RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUALS. (C) THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION, INCLUDING PHYSICAL EDUCATION; (D) TO PROVIDE OR ASSIST IN THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES IN THE INTERESTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE FOR RECREATION OR OTHER LEISURE TIME OCCUPATION OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE NEED OF SUCH FACILITIES BY REASON OF THEIR YOUTH, AGE INFIRMITY OR DISABILITY, FINANCIAL HARDSHIP OR SOCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES WITH THE OBJECT OF IMPROVING THEIR CONDITIONS OF LIFE. 4. IN CARRYING OUT ITS OBJECTS, THE COMPANY SHALL PROMOTE EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY AND OPPOSE ANY FORM OF DISCRIMINATION ON GROUNDS OF RACE, ETHNIC ORIGIN, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION,