FIT BANTAMS helped Bradford City supporter Paul accumulate enough exercise miles to travel virtually to Lake Garda.

Paul like many of us throughout the COVID-19 lockdown period had positive intentions of getting fit but as a sufferer of seasonal affective disorder, he was left with very little motivation or direction in his well being journey.

As a follower of Bradford City, he came across FIT BANTAMS through a friend from a previous cohort. As he enrolled on his journey, Paul had two main goals he wanted to achieve, the first being to lose 12kg and the other was to accumulate cycling and walking distances to get virtually to Paris.

Average weight loss statistics for the FIT FANS programme are impressive and exceed those of many other programmes. On average women lose well over 3kg and men over 5.5kg by the end of the 12 weeks. We also have evidence that lifestyle change and weight loss is sustained over the following 12 months. More than 90% of men and 85% of women lose weight during the programme with many losing a clinically significant amount. Our data shows FIT FANS helps people to increase physical activity, reduce sedentary time, leading to weight loss, a significant reduction in blood pressure and improvement in self-reported mental well-being measures.

Paul said: “Meeting likeminded people on the course gave me the confidence I needed, exchanging ideas on eating habits, exercise regimes and of course the guidance from the tutors was invaluable.”

The engagement and support of the cohort and programme leaders proved pivotal for Paul to ensure he remained consistently engaged so much so even after the 12 weeks he still regularly meets up with other members to play football.

With the help of FIT FANS, Paul was able to continue his healthier lifestyle all whilst smashing his original targets as he lost 14kg and managed enough exercise mileage to surpass Paris making his way to Lake Garda in Italy.

Kickstart provides an entry into full-time employment for university graduate Tom Sherratt

For Tom Sherratt, like many other aspiring university graduates, crossing the bridge from further education into the workplace provided substantial difficulties. However, after being provided with an opportunity to work with Northampton Town Community Trust, Tom has been able to secure full-time employment.

After graduating in Physical Education and Sport from the University of East Anglia, Tom encountered little workplace opportunities. However, Tom’s luck changed, as he was given a placement at Northampton Town Community Trust to work as an Education and Sport Mentor as part of the Kickstart Scheme.

Tom welcomed the opportunity, as he was given the chance to incorporate the skills and expertise he had learnt through university within the professional workplace.

Tom talked to us about his experiences with the Kickstart scheme:

The Kickstart Scheme was fantastic for me as it prepared me for work and gave me the skills to progress into employment. I was provided with specialist training to help with my development, including Emergency First aid and Premier League Reading Stars training, which I am now able to deliver and use in my role.”

After generating an overwhelmingly positive impact within his 6-month placement, Tom was then given the opportunity to work on a full-time basis. Tom welcomed the opportunity to work in a full-time role, and has embraced the challenge to make a difference within the community, through his boyhood club:

“I was mentored by staff at Northampton Town FC Community Trust and given opportunities to shadow throughout the placement, developing my confidence and understanding of the role.

As a Northampton Town fan it is a huge privilege to now work full time within the club I support and be able to make a difference by bringing communities together.”

Tom’s impact during his placement was recognised by Anna Letts,  Programmes Manager at Northampton Town FC Community Trust, she said:

“Tom is an example of a young person who started with us for the 6-month allotted funded time working in our schools programme and really applied himself to the role. He has worked hard, taken advice on board, shadowed experienced staff, and really developed; so, we have taken him on full time. We hope to welcome other Kickstarter’s in other roles at the trust in the same way.”

For Tom, with full-time employment being fully underway and being able to represent his boyhood club, the world is now his oyster.

For more information about the Kickstart programme, click here.

“You’re never alone” – Young People on NCS raise awareness of mental health in Rotherham

A group of 13 young people on NCS with Rotherham United Community Sports Trust set out to raise awareness on suicide prevention, and to spread positivity within the community during their NCS summer social action project. Read more

FIT MAGPIES helped Hayden get into the best shape of his life whilst combating his own mental health

FIT FANS gave Hayden the motivation to improve his lifestyle, health and wellbeing.

Prior to enrolling on the programme, Hayden struggled with self-motivation and had very little energy to exercise. Consequently, he fell into a constant cycle of procrastination that caused him to battle his own mental health with problems stemming from his negative feelings around his weight and image.

Hayden found FIT FANS as a method of hope that a group of likeminded individuals with similar goals would aid him in his journey of consistent improvement in all aspects of his life. FIT FANS is centered around an educational approach of small, manageable lifestyle changes that can be implemented long-term.

He said: “It has been a revelation… I have been able to incorporate this into my lifestyle now.”

Average weight loss statistics for the FIT FANS programme are impressive and exceed those of many other programmes. On average women lose well over 3kg and men over 5.5kg by the end of the 12 weeks. We also have evidence that lifestyle change and weight loss is sustained over the following 12 months. More than 90% of men and 85% of women lose weight during the programme with many losing a clinically significant amount.  Our data shows FIT FANS helps people to increase physical activity, reduce sedentary time, leading to weight loss, a significant reduction in blood pressure and improvement in self-reported mental wellbeing measures.

Hayden’s enthusiasm and dedication to the programme and his own development saw him set his own challenges too; he cycled the ‘Coast to Coast to Coast’ route that took him from Hexham to Tynemouth to Whitehaven.

He explains: “The course was not only offered an exercise programme- but also an educational one, and that is where I felt I could get a lot of benefit regarding understanding what I’m eating and how it can affect you.”

FIT MAGPIES has helped not only Hayden notice changes in himself but his wife recognises he is now in the best shape he has been for many years.

Great opportunities for young people through UK Year of Service

25 Club Community Organisations (CCOs) are seeking enthusiastic and innovative young people to join them as their new ‘Community Health Activator’. Read more

The Grass is Greener for Jake Lloyd – Who through Kickstart, joined the Ground Staff at Walsall

For most young individuals, securing employment within the workplace can be an unnerving process, and can provide difficulties when confidence levels are low. For Jake Lloyd, this was no exception, however after gaining a work placement at Walsall FC through Kickstart within the club ground staff, Jake’s confidence levels and expertise have since been elevated.

After being out of work, Jake jumped up on the chance of a placement opportunity as he discovered a role, which involved working within the grounds team at Walsall through Kickstart.

Jake’s goes into further detail about his role:

I saw the role at Walsall FC and saw it as an ideal opportunity to gain experience at a Professional Football Club.”

“The summer was spent preparing the training ground and stadium pitch for the start of the new season. I am now in a position where I have a full-time role and can be working on jobs independently from basic repairs, through to cutting and marking the stadium pitch for a match day.”

The Ground Staff placement undertaken by Jake was split between the training ground and the stadium, involving key tasks on pitch care management. Jake played a vital role in bringing up the Walsall home pitch and training ground to match-day standards, in which was vital in preparation for the new League Two season, and with the long-awaited return of supporters within the ground.

“I have been involved in re-growing the stadium pitch, cutting the grass, working on the drainage and aeration systems, and general repair jobs around the sites. I particularly like the lead up to match day and the preparation that is involved. The other skills I have learnt are transferable skills such as teamwork, communication and life-based skills.”

Jake reflected upon his decision to join Walsall through the Kickstart programme:

“Kickstart has been really good for me.  I have learnt lots of new skills and gained experience whilst earning a wage. Ultimately it has led to a full-time job for me. My experience has been really positive, and I would recommend that other people consider taking on a Kickstart placement”

Jake is joined by a long list of successful fellow Walsall kickstarter’s. More news surrounding this will be released shortly on the EFL Trust website and keep an eye on our social media @EFLTrust.

For more information on the Kickstart programme, please click here

Wigan Athletic Supporters Fund helps Raise Aspiration and Combat Loneliness

Wigan Athletic Supporters Project to help make a difference to the Wigan Borough thanks to the fundraising efforts of Latics fans. 

Thanks to the efforts of Wigan Athletic supporters last year, many people in the Wigan Borough will benefit from an exciting initiative run by Wigan Athletic Community Trust.

Latics supporters raised a significant sum in the initial ‘Save Wigan Athletic’ Crowdfunder to ensure the Club could complete the 2019/20 season after entering administration.

And following the successful takeover of the Club by Phoenix 2021 Limited, the initial monies raised will be used in part to help reduce social isolation in older people, raise aspirations of young people and provide small grants to junior grassroots football clubs in Wigan.

An initial donation of £156,000 over the next two years will see ‘The Supporters Project’ – which is also backed by Wigan Council – provide key areas of support to many areas of the local community through three programmes chosen by Latics fans.

Supporters who donated to the Crowdfunder were given the opportunity to decide where their funds would be channelled towards and supporters chose to support programmes operated by Wigan Athletic Community Trust, including:

  • Support for older people in Wigan through a programme targeted at reducing social isolation.
  • Raise the aspirations of young people aged 14-19 year olds by providing high quality work placements to disadvantaged students in local schools.
  • Provide small grants to local junior grassroots football clubs in Wigan.

The project was officially launched at the DW Stadium on Thursday with Latics manager Leam Richardson and midfielder Max Power in attendance to offer their support, with children from Springfield Park Youth Football Club receiving one of the first £1,000 grants from the project.

Speaking about the Supporters Project at the launch, the Chair of Wigan Athletic Supporters Club Caroline Molyneux said:

“It is wonderful to launch the Wigan Athletic Supporters Project following consultation with our supporters. The money that was raised by Wigan Athletic supporters to help complete the 2019/20 season is now going to help people who really need that support in the Wigan Borough, whether that be junior grassroots football teams or people aged over 55 who are at risk of social isolation through the Extra Time activities at the Stadium.

“Close to my heart is the Secondary School project, as a teacher myself I know that through the pandemic many of our teenagers in the Borough have been affected, so this project will really benefit many of the them. What happened to Wigan Athletic over the last 12-18 months will never be forgotten, though we have come out of this moving in a positive direction both on and off the pitch and the Supporters Project will be a legacy of the incredible efforts of Wigan Athletic supporters during that period.”

Preston North End embrace their multicultural fan base

Preston North End Community and Education Trust have opened a multi-faith prayer room to allow supporters of all faiths and backgrounds to pray on home matchdays.

The prayer room is situated between blocks E and F on the Invicibles Pavilion and was unveiled for use for the first time ahead of Saturday’s fixture against Derby County.

The Mayor of Preston, Javed Iqbal, was present for the unveiling, as part of the club’s Kick It Out matchday activities to promote equality for everyone involved in football – fans, players and staff, alike.

Supporters in attendance on a home matchday whose ticket is not for the Invicibles Pavilion will be able to access the prayer room by contacting their nearest steward, who will escort supporters to the prayer room every 15 minutes.

The prayer room will be open from 90 minutes before kick-off, when the concourses open, through until full-time – allowing those who need to pray at certain times of the day to leave their seat during the game if necessary.

 

Mayor of Preston open the multi-faith prayer room. Credit: Ian Robinson/ Preston North End. 

Mo Patel – a practising Muslim supporter who volunteered on PNECET’s Ramadan initiative earlier in the year, and has since progressed to the role of casual Community Engagement Coordinator with the Trust – praised the initiative to open a prayer room.

He said: “Some supporters may have had to make a decision between choosing to pray and attending a match during certain parts of the season, due to the different times that their religion may determine that they need to pray.

“We believe that supporters of all faiths should not have to make that decision and we want to continue to break down all barriers that may prevent any of our existing fans from attending matches at Deepdale, while also encouraging members of our local community to show their support for PNE.

“The opening of the prayer room is another step in our continued work with ethnically diverse members of our community and we will continue to strive to make positive changes to make Deepdale the most welcoming and inclusive place as it possibly can be for all fans.”

Mayor of Preston, Javed Iqbal, added: “It’s an absolute pleasure and delight to open this multi-faith prayer room.

“I hope people will use it and it will help to bring more and more people to North End.”

As part of the Kick It Out matchday on Saturday, we welcomed Preston United Youth Development programme participants and their parents to watch the game against Derby County and take part in our half-time penalty shoot out.

Speaking about attending the game, a member of the parents’ group said: “It was an exhilarating experience, I really enjoyed it.

“I was really apprehensive at first but honestly I had a brilliant time. I was conscious about my headscarf but it wasn’t noticed and I’m definitely coming again.”

For more information about the prayer room, please contact [email protected].

 

 

Young people from Hartlepool boost the morale at a care home with NCS

A young group from Hartlepool United came together to boost the morale of care home residents during the summer. The group chose to renovate the care home garden with an aim to create a positive impact upon the elderly residents, who welcomed the changes after suffering from intense Covid-19 restrictions.

The social action project decided by the young people whilst on NCS, was to help improve and renovate the garden of the Queen’s Meadow care home in Hartlepool. One of the members of the team, Elise Humble, reflected on the project:

“As a team we thought this would massively benefit the care home because of Covid-19 and the restrictions that were in place at the time, which encouraged people to go outside. This social action project would enable the residents to have a better place to go outside, and to even have time and a place to see family members.”

The group initially decided to ask the residents of the care home, to write down how the garden could be improved and placed them in “Care Boxes”. The group worked together to implement the changes, and created boxes containing items such as crosswords, soaps, pens and personalised notes for the care home.

The group then spent two days tidying up the garden, planting new flowers, and utilised their creativity skills, painting the plant boxes and personalising the rocks, bringing smiles to the elderly people during difficult circumstances. The group also decided to buy all items, such as the decorations from charity shops, so awareness could also be raised there.

“The care packages delivered will put a smile on the residents faces. We included a personalised note in each care package, so they knew who it was from and why they were receiving it.”

Elise stated that her time within NCS on the Social Action Project not only benefited the residents within the care home, but also herself and her group members:

“I wasn’t a very confident person and I thought participating would help make develop my communication skills and it would help me meet new people. The experience I gained from NCS has helped me become more confident, and better at communicating with others. We completed tasks where we were talking to members of the public, which would usually be out of my comfort zone, but doing so has helped improve my social skills.”

Elise has mentioned how her newfound confidence has also helped her with talking to larger groups:

“Due to my new confidence, I have now joined the college debate club, which is something completely out of my comfort zone, but thanks to NCS I felt more able to push myself that extra mile.”

“NCS has helped me gain lots of new friends and people to talk to, and it was nice doing something to improve our community with a group of great friends. The NCS experience on a whole was amazing, I would definitely recommend it to others and encourage them to do it too as it was so much fun, it helped me in improving so many skills.”

FIT OWLS removed Derek’s fear of future illness

“In relation to my health the future is a lot brighter!”

FIT OWLS allowed Derek to make maintainable changes to his lifestyle amidst fear of history repeating itself.

Derek Wright has had a torrid time of ill health, in 2015 he required a total knee replacement and just 2 years later was diagnosed with prostate cancer before having it removed. A year after his diagnosis and prostate removal he started the grueling process of radiotherapy. To add further to the unimaginable constant of bad health in the same year, 2018, he contracted deep vein thrombosis in his leg.

These 4 years of serious health issues meant Derek was aware that he needed to do something to ensure it was not repeated. His weight reached 20 stone, and this was the milestone that forced him into change via FIT FANS.

Average weight loss statistics for the FIT FANS programme are impressive and exceed those of many other programmes. On average women lose well over 3kg and men over 5.5kg by the end of the 12 weeks. We also have evidence that lifestyle change and weight loss is sustained over the following 12 months. More than 90% of men and 85% of women lose weight during the programme with many losing a clinically significant amount.  Our data shows FIT FANS helps people to increase physical activity, reduce sedentary time, leading to weight loss, a significant reduction in blood pressure and improvement in self-reported mental wellbeing measures.

In 2020, he joined the FIT FANS initiative at his club, Sheffield Wednesday. The programme has educated Derek on his dietary and exercise habits and with these small changes, he now commits to walking every day whilst being aware of the food he eats.

He comments: ” I wanted a realistic plan that I could take forward into my new healthy lifestyle. Weight loss was important, but I wanted a strategy that would delivered in a clear and understandable message. It was a bonus that it was delivered at my football club!”

Having lost a total of 31.5kg and reduced his previously dangerous BMI to 28.6, Derek is now supported by the FIT OWLS maintenance programme and attends other weekly clubs hosted by Sheffield Wednesday to continue his progress physically, mentally and socially.