Community support officer John Joseph, otherwise known as JJ, is a regular presence on the streets of Merton, where he works for the Metropolitan Police.
As part of his duties, JJ goes along to Pollards Hill in South London to give his support to the young people attending Premier League Kicks sessions run by the Fulham Foundation.
“Historically, in uniform, out on the streets, kids just don't really want to engage," he says.
“But because I have had the opportunity through Kicks to actually work with them and spend some quality time with them, now they just see me as JJ, as someone they can talk to, someone they can trust.”
PL Kicks has worked with the police service since it began as a pilot project in 2006.
And by involving officers in the programme as mentors and advisors, PL Kicks encourages positive community relations by breaking down barriers between young people and the police.
“Having a police officer attending, it makes everyone feel comfortable,” says one Kicks participant at Pollards Hill.
“It makes young people feel like police officers are human as well. If it wasn't for Kicks, I would probably be getting in trouble on the streets.”