Earlier this week, Premier League Kicks coach Arran Johny was honoured by the West Ham United Foundation for his dedication and support for the young people of east London at a surprise presentation featuring actor Idris Elba, first-team manager Graham Potter, captain Jarrod Bowen and West Ham Women forward Princess Ademiluyi.
Arran received the Premier League Community Captain award, which is part of the More than a game celebrations, as someone at the heart of the club's Premier League-funded programmes who deserves recognition for their contribution to the game and society.
As a mentor and role model, the 30-year-old plays a crucial role in supporting Premier League Kicks participants helping them engage in positive pathways.
In addition to his role as youth engagement officer, Arran has established the Jigsaw Mentoring Programme and leads the MyEnds project, which are both aimed at supporting young people at risk of criminal activity.
This is his story.
"It was about 10 years ago that I started as a volunteer with Premier League Kicks. I was on a coaching course with the West Ham Foundation and the Prince's Trust. I loved it.
"I volunteered for about two years. Almost every day I was cycling up and down to get to the sessions. That's where I got a real love of the programme because I saw the smiles on people's faces and the opportunities that the young people had.
"It just went from there. I progressed to a coaching role and then I really found my love for mentoring. Turning up at Kicks was great but it is only by sitting down with a young person that you can see who needs help.
"Mentoring is extremely important. If a young person is messing about, not in school, and you're able to speak with them and if they trust you, they will open up. They may not be able to do that with their parents but you can create that bond where they can be honest with you.
"It's the power of the badge, it leads people to say, 'They're at a club that I like, in a sport I like... let me see what they do.'
"In Barking you've got a lot of hotspot areas that need that support. It's about getting young people into something positive. We can all see the difference with young people in the area around Premier League Kicks, their parents are happy that they're in there, they love that bond that we make.
"To me, Premier League Kicks means support, family and a safe environment just to be yourself.
"It has created a pathway for me and it's challenged me to build on things that I used to struggle with like my confidence.
"Receiving the award was surprising and amazing. It was bit emotional understanding what people think of me.
"I reflect on where I've been, what I have done. Seeing the young people at the session, where they should be, at a place where they can grow, is something I think a lot about.
"I also think about how can I support them more. When you mentor a young person you can then see their effect on the world. They're going to get older, they could make a difference, bigger than you know.
"If I get told that a participant has finished school or gone to college... that is what makes me happy. Everything I do is always for the young people. They are reason I do this job."
About Premier League Kicks
Funded by the Premier League through the Premier League Charitable Fund, Premier League Kicks uses the power of football and sport to inspire young people to reach their potential, in some of the most high-need areas in England and Wales.
More than half a million people have benefited to date.