Join the EFL Trust’s Youth Forum

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15 young people will get the unique opportunity to shape the future of the EFL Trust through our Youth Forum. Read more

The EFL Trust signs Power of Youth Charter

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For a better tomorrow, we must empower young people today. Read more

Shrews Fan Jack Joins Shrewsbury in The Community as Media Assistant

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Upon graduating from university, Jack Otter was concerned about his job prospects during the pandemic, and the challenges that restrictions have posed on the employment market. Read more

SUNDERLAND AFC AND FOUNDATION OF LIGHT BACK SUICIDE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN

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Sunderland AFC and its official charity, Foundation of Light, are backing a campaign for greater awareness and prevention of death by suicide.

Recent statistics show that one in five people have thought about suicide at some time in their life, with over 6,000 people dying by suicide in the UK each year. Sadly, approximately three- quarters of those deaths are amongst men and suicide is the leading cause of death in males aged 20-49 years. Whilst national rates remain high, some of the highest are in the North of England, with Sunderland and South Tyneside in particular having one of the highest rates across the North East region.

Putting footballing rivalries aside, the Foundation of Light is working with the North East and North Cumbria Suicide Prevention Network and Newcastle United Foundation to tackle the problem through the #BeAGameChanger campaign which actively promotes open conversations and gives football fans the confidence to talk about mental health with their mates.

To show their support, Sunderland AFC will dedicate Saturday’s Sky Bet League One match against Accrington Stanley to the campaign, using the match day platform to encourage fans to check in with their friends and family and to have the confidence to ask if they are ok.

The Black Cats will wear branded #BeAGameChanger warm-up t-shirts and campaign messaging will be seen on screens around the Stadium of Light, including a  new poignant video  starring  Sunderland  AFC  players  Carl Winchester,  Louise Griffiths  and Charlotte Potts.

Foundation staff will also be on hand to provide support and answer questions in the SAFC Fan Zone in the Beacon of Light from 12.30pm, alongside Sunderland Branch Liaison Council’s Match Day Mental Health Hub.

Over the last year, the Foundation has supported hundreds of people through free, bespoke mental health training for businesses and grassroots football clubs across Sunderland and South Tyneside.

Sunderland AFC fan Connor Renwick, who took part in a #BeAGameChanger workshop, is encouraging colleagues, friends and family to open up about how they are feeling.

“I learnt that the best thing to do is talk. The more we talk about mental awareness the less stigma there will be for people to come forward and get the help they need when they need it. It doesn’t help anyone keeping things bottled up, and I was always told a problem shared is a problem halved. Also, if you speak aloud about how you feel to your friends, family, or to a mental health professional, then you’re on the right steps to getting yourself on the straight and narrow. And if someone you care about opens up to you about how they’re feeling mentally, don’t worry about saying the wrong thing, just listen to what they have to say and let them know you’re there from them.”

Foundation of Light Head of Sport and Wellbeing, Liz Barton-Jones said, “The devastating impact of suicide to the individual, their family and friends, colleagues and wider community is immeasurable and sadly something which has been felt across the Sunderland AFC supporters’ family in recent times.

“There is a common misconception that talking to someone about suicide will give them the idea to try it. But the opposite is true; by asking someone directly about suicide, you give them chance to tell you how they feel and evidence shows asking someone if they’re suicidal can protect them and can save a life. We believe that every suicide is preventable if we work together to enable timely and evidence-based interventions. Be a Game Changer is a campaign designed to support those who need it most but to also give football fans from across the region the confidence to ask “are you ok?”.

“We are really looking forward to the dedicated match day tomorrow to help spread the message that it’s good to talk and to help more people live happier and healthier lives.”

To find out more about the #BeAGameChanger campaign visit https://www.foundationoflight.co.uk/beagamechanger/

PNE Star Celebrates FIT FANS Weight Loss

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PNE defender Greg Cunningham joined a group of fans at Deepdale this week to celebrate their weight loss and improved lifestyle.

The fans had graduated from Preston North End Community and Education Trust’s FIT LILYWHITES programme which is part of the EFL Trust’s FIT FANS initiative. Thousands of people have taken part in FIT FANS so far with an average weight loss of 6.2kg. Furthermore due to the sustainable lifestyle habits that emerge, after 12 months the average weight loss per participant has continued to increase to 7.2kg

The a 12-week health programme is funded by £2.25m from the National Lottery and delivered at football Clubs across the country, with 90-minute sessions at stadia such as Deepdale.

With social restrictions having affected the delivery of the programme to all four groups – two groups of men and two groups of women – that have previously graduated from FIT FANS, all participants were invited back to Deepdale to reunite and celebrate their achievements.

Part of their reward included a surprise visit from Cunningham, who answered participants’ questions on all things health and fitness, to motivate them with their continued personal wellbeing journeys.

Some high-achieving participants were given additional recognition for their efforts as they won signed items from Greg, including mini PNECET footballs.

Greg said: “I really enjoyed it. It’s something I do enjoy doing but under the circumstances over the last couple of years, it has been tough. It’s been pleasing to come out and chat to everyone and see how they are getting on. They have been doing the 12-week FIT FANS programme. I said I’d come down and we’ve talked about good habits and have been talking about nutrition and healthy eating. It seems good for them and I’ve really enjoyed chatting to them about it.”

The FIT FANS also spoke with Brad Potts and former Lilywhite Jayden Stockley in an online capacity when the programme was being delivered online last year, with Greg’s in-person visit the first by a first team player to any PNECET programme since February 2020 because of social restrictions enforced by the pandemic.

Health and Wellbeing Officer Hannah White added: “We have had a few cohorts affected by the pandemic, so we invited everyone down from a few different cohorts and had Greg Cunningham come down. We did a Q&A session so the FIT FANS were able to speak to Greg and ask him all about his diet, lifestyle, what it’s like in the run up to a match and what he likes to do in his downtime.

“The FIT FANS were really appreciative as Greg has come down in his own time. They asked some really interesting questions and he had loads of answers, which was great! He really gave them an insight of what it’s like to be a professional footballer.”

Clubs across the county are now recruiting for new FIT FANS cohorts starting later this month.

Hannah added “We help people to make better and healthier lifestyle choices. We have a lot of people come on the courses who are completely inactive, and some people who come on the course have tried a few things already but might have hit a roadblock. We provide them with some new information.

To sign-up for FIT FANS, please visit efltrust.com/fitfans

Barry | “COVID Left Me Lethargic and Caused Me To Put on Weight but FIT LATICS Changed Everything.”

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For Barry Worthington, signing up to Wigan Athletic Community Trust’s FIT LATICS programme in May has made a real difference to his health.

The initiative, which is backed by the EFL Trust and Sport England, aims to help men and women aged 35-65 enjoy an active lifestyle through exercise and nutrition sessions.

The lifelong Wigan Athletic supporter joined the 12-week programme with the aim of losing weight he put on after contracting COVID-19 last autumn. He said:

“Prior to contracting COVID-19 back in October, I was quite fit and was absolutely flying. I was cycling, running, and feeling really good. But after having long COVID, I felt really lethargic and I gained 11kg in that time. I came out in the spring, stood on the scales, and I wasn’t happy with myself, what I was seeing or how I was feeling. But at the same time I noticed the Community Trust were advertising their FIT LATICS programme, and that was the motivation I needed to do something about it.”

After losing 8% of his bodyweight, Barry, 62, says the programme has had a real positive affect on his health and his heart. Barry adds,

“I can’t speak highly enough about the course. It’s so well structured and we receive information on nutrition, alcohol limits and its great being in a group where everyone has the same aim to lose weight and enjoy themselves, it’s been fantastic. It’s been a real push and I’ve been really successful with the weight that I’ve lost. I was 114.7kg when I started, and now I am 106.4kg so I’ve lost eight kilograms. I was aiming to lose about five-and-a-half so I’ve passed that and I’m really pleased with it. I also have a fitness watch and I like looking at my heart rate. My resting heart rate was 45 beats per minute, so I thought it seemed a bit low, and I checked online and spoke to my GP about it who advised me to come in for an ECG. They did a proper examination and the ECG was spot-on. The doctor said that although its lower, the condition of the heart and how well it is working was excellent and said I was super fit!”

With sessions running weekly at the DW Stadium, Barry adds that taking part in the programme at the home of his club provided him with a much needed boost.

He said:

“It adds everything. Having not been able to come to games for 18 months, the first thing we did was run to the top of the steps to look at the pitch, which brought a tear to the eye. I can see where I sit in the East Stand which is fantastic and it gives you that extra buzz. It’s a big draw and most if not all the guys here are Latics fans and season ticket holders which speaks volumes of the people that have been coming.”

Starting on the back of the success of Fit Latics, the Community Trust are running a new men’s maintenance programme next month with sessions providing participants with physical activities, circuit training and nutritional advice.

For further information on our FIT FANS programme click here