Photo: MichaelEmilio / CC BY 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Nine Year 10 girls from Lotte Wubben-Moy's community programme Lots to Explore performed at London's Almeida Theatre in July as part of a major community production.
The participants joined an 80-strong company drawn from Arsenal in the Community, Cardboard Citizens, All Change and Islington Community Group. The production, titled 1000 (Millennia), was written by Stephanie Bain and creatively directed by Dani Parr.
The show was the third instalment of the Almeida's Islington Trilogy, following 24 (Day) in 2023 and 81 (Life) in 2025. It explored Islington's history while imagining its future through a mythic origin story about the borough.
The girls rehearsed every Tuesday throughout the summer term at the Arsenal Hub, working under directors Ella Zgorska and Takiyah Kamaria ahead of four performances.
Participant Matina reflected on the experience: "This reminded me that confidence grows when you do what you love. Every rehearsal challenged me, every performance inspired me, and every character taught me something new. I'm so grateful for every moment at the Almeida – for the memories, the friendships and the opportunity to be part of something so special. This experience will always have a place in my heart."
Among other highlights of the year, the group received an invitation from Lotte Wubben-Moy to watch the England Lionesses train at St George's Park, meeting members of the squad in a behind-the-scenes visit.
Lots to Explore was founded in 2022 by Wubben-Moy in partnership with Arsenal in the Community. The free weekly programme combines football with creative activities aimed at building confidence and self-expression among teenage girls.
In 2025, the programme received additional funding through the Players' Projects Pilot, supported by the Premier League and the Professional Footballers' Association. The funding has allowed Lots to Explore to expand, supporting additional cohorts and reaching more participants throughout the year.