celebrating social action and climate resilience

A new documentary film, outdoor exhibition and digital archive are due to be created working with members, fans and players from one of the city’s most diverse community football clubs.

Leicester Nirvana are working with Art Reach who is announcing a £43,420 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to explore the unique heritage of Nirvana, a grass-roots football club born from the activism of the Red Star youth group in the 1980s, while highlighting its bold ambition to become the UK’s first carbon-neutral football club, and this project follows on from a successful exhibition at Leicester Museum and Art Gallery last year.

“This project means so much to Nirvana and the communities we serve,” said Ivan Liburd, Trustee at Leicester Nirvana FC. “Our roots in Highfields tell a powerful story of social action, and of what can be achieved through unity and determination. Linking this heritage to our commitment to sustainability ensures that our legacy is not only about the past but also about leading change for the future.”

Partners, Art Reach and Leicester Nirvana FC are working with local arts and heritage organisation Opal 22 to call on players past and present, fans of the club and local history enthusiasts to come together and create a documentary, digital archive and outdoor photography exhibition. If you have photographs, stories, memories or memorabilia from the club’s history please contact info@opal22.co.uk

The project Passing It On: Framing the Stories of Football in Our Community, will be launched as part of the Re/action Festival on 27 and 28 July. Through a variety of community workshops, oral history sessions, photography, and film, the project will connect past and present members of the club, uncovering stories that reflect Leicester’s evolution as the most diverse city in the UK.

“We are thrilled to have received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, this project allows us to celebrate Nirvana’s story, which is one of resilience, activism, and unity. The voices and experiences of those who've been involved with Nirvana FC is such a crucial part of this project, and we are really looking forward to shining a light on those very personal and unique stories, we can’t wait to hear what stories the community has to share.” said Paul Steele, Creative Director of Art Reach. “The project will also explore the role of grassroots football in shaping Leicester’s communities and highlight the club’s leadership in climate action.”

Founded in the Highfields area of the city, Leicester Nirvana FC emerged from the Red Star youth group, which was created to provide a safe space for young people, predominantly from Black and Asian backgrounds and new arrivals but not exclusively, during a time of economic challenges and racial tensions. The club has since grown into a beacon of multiculturalism, advocacy, and community development.

“Our project reflects Leicester Nirvana's deep connection to the Highfields community. By honouring our history of social action, we can start to create a lasting legacy for generations to come.” - Leicester Nirvana