Aston Villa and Birmingham City Football Clubs’ Community Organisations have launched a new employment project, Kick-Off, which is specially designed to help young adults overcome the barriers that are preventing them finding work. Read more
For Daniel taking part in FIT FANS with Bolton Wanderers was about more than just weight loss. In a letter to Bolton Wanderers Community Trust Daniel explains how the 12 week healthy living programme, which is funded by Sport England through the National Lottery, made him more positive about his life.
“I just wanted to get in touch to thank you for the opportunity to be a part of Fit Trotters over the last 12 weeks.
“The whole process has been amazing. From a weight point of view I haven’t lost all that much but the benefits I come away with are still amazing. Before this, it was difficult for me to connect with people. Living in Manchester now I fell in to a trap of losing touch with friends, family and my home town and the club. Fit Trotters gave me the opportunity to put that right and I am so much happier and far more positive about everything in life after being with you every week and I feel like a lot of burdens and worries have slowly gone away. The program gave me the opportunity to do so many things. The stadium tour and doing the sessions in the ground have been a dream come true for a life long Bolton fan. Everything about the program has been amazing and the impact you can have on individuals should never be under estimated.
“I really appreciate you and the club taking part in the program and hope you continue to do so for the long term. I am going to miss everything about it especially the feeling of being a part of the club. I wish you all the best for the future.
Good luck again going forward and thank you so much for the last 13 weeks.”
To find out FIT FANS can help you click here
OVER the last few year we have seen challenges the like of which we never expected to encounter in our lifetime.
Kevin Robinson had his personal challenges to face before Covid-19 reshaped the world as we knew it. Friendships made on the FIT BORO programme have helped him realise the light at the end of the tunnel is not that of an onrushing train.
Shortly after enrolling on what was to be a 12-week programme aimed at increasing physical and mental wellbeing, Kevin’s wife underwent major surgery and her father passed away. Kevin said in a letter written to MFC Foundation.
“I thought this could be the end of this course for me. However, I was blown away by your concerns and support during this time, This relit the fire in my belly and I quickly joined back in through your encouragement.
“I joined for some inspirational tips to kick start me getting fitter and losing weight. Over the first few weeks I was both happy and inspired and quickly started to see my weight head in the right direction for the first time in many years. Being held at the Riverside was a bonus and brought a smile to my face each Monday evening. Both the classroom sessions and the workouts.
“What I had not expected was the friendships struck up with others on the course. All attending a Boro game together, walking around the Riverside area chatting with like-minded people. Then I missed a few weeks through my wife having a major operation and my father-in-law passing away. Your help and encouragement has pulled me through.”
Kevin, who has particular praise for the programme’s leader Paul South, goes on to say.
“Then an unpredictable change. None of us could have predicted the Covid-19 lockdown. Again I thought I was not meant to complete this course. Then you step up again, encouraging us all through our WhatsApp group to continue the collaboration on a Monday evening, exercising as a group, which has been good fun. We look forward to your regular posting of healthy meals by the Boro Head Chef for us to follow. I have to congratulate you on assisting me to complete this course, You have truly helped me beyond my expectations.”
This year National Fitness Day is happening at a tipping point for our nation’s health. As we enter our second winter during the pandemic, it has never been more important to help people to stay as active as possible.
Only last week research was published revealing that people seeking NHS help to lose weight during the pandemic are on average five pounds heavier than those starting the programme during the previous three years.
This extra weight, gained as people lived through the COVID pandemic, means people are at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. It is estimated that weight gain of one kilogram, or 2.2 pounds, can increase your risk of diabetes by around 8%. Excess weight is also linked to a greater risk of severe Covid-19 symptoms. You are twice as likely to die from COVID-19 if you live with Type 2 Diabetes.
This is a trend we are seeing on our award winning FIT FANS programme. Men were on average 2.9 kg (6 pounds) heavier before they started the programme this summer (June 2021) than the average starting weight in the winter before the pandemic (January 2020). The same pattern is seen among women. The average weight at the start of the programme has risen by 2.4kg (5 pounds).
FIT FANS works. The 12 week programmes offers guidance and support on eating, drinking, sleeping and being more active in daily life. 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.
Our average weight loss statistics are really impressive and exceed those of many other programmes. On average women lose 3.31kg and men 5.51kg by the end of the 12 weeks. We also have evidence that weight loss is sustained and continues to increase over the following months after the end of the course.
FIT FANS is now offered by nearly forty clubs across the EFL network. During the pandemic, despite all the restrictions and disruption it has caused, we have supported nearly three thousand people. We are now building on the investment we have received from the National Lottery and more than a dozen local authorities across the country have now chosen to invest in making FIT FANS part of their weight management offer.
National Fitness Day has the potential to inspire but also to deter. For many people the term “fitness” is off putting and conjures images of Lycra clad fitness instructors in exclusive gyms. We understand that, for many football fans, fitness is an elusive state and something they see on the pitch in the stadium but not in the mirror. We believe that fitness is a relative concept and is about being fit for life. That will mean different things to different people. We know that the first steps towards being more active are often the hardest but that every little helps. We have support in place for people who want to make a change.
There’s been a lot of attention given to online initiatives to get people active and they do have their place. However, we remain convinced that bringing people together gives the chance for people to meet people lime them. The support and solutions they give each other are key to making change last.
FIT FANS groups go through the experience together. They encourage and reassure each other and are the better for it. We all need to start somewhere and FIT FANS could be the place for you. With courses starting all over the country this month and again in January, click here for more details.
The English Football League (EFL) has been nominated for the Community Award at the 2021 Leaders Sports Awards for its ‘Tackling Loneliness Together’ project.
The awards will take place at Twickenham Stadium on Thursday 7th October during Leaders Week London.
‘Tackling Loneliness Together’ was launched through the EFL’s charitable arm, the EFL Trust, and enabled EFL clubs to play an important and unique role in supporting their local communities when issues associated with loneliness were put into sharp focus at the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic.
From zoom cookery lessons for widowed men in Derby to Christmas Day phone calls in Wigan and Christmas dinner deliveries in Stoke, the project offered support to over 33,000 people – more than 75% of which were over 65 years old – and over 120,000 phone calls were made to those at risk of becoming isolated.
With financial support from DCMS to initially drive the activities and additional funding and support from local partners, EFL Clubs created a range of locally delivered support services including face-to-face visits, welfare and befriending telephone calls, provision of information by post and virtual sessions via web platforms.
Data collected from a survey of Tackling Loneliness Together participants revealed that people felt less anxious, less lonely and happier about life as a result of the programme:
Mike Evans, Chief Executive of the EFL Trust, said: “We are delighted to have been nominated for the Community Award at the Leaders Sports Awards for our ‘Tackling Loneliness Together’ project. Football starts conversations, helping people to connect, and we are immensely proud of how our clubs responded to the pandemic by putting their communities first and providing vital support for those who were at risk of becoming lonely and suffering the effects of deteriorating mental health.”
Other activities that formed part of the ‘Tackling Loneliness Together’ project included:
To find out more about the ‘Tackling Loneliness Project’ visit: https://www.efltrust.com/tackling-loneliness-together/
For a better tomorrow, we must empower young people today. Read more
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 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
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
As Covid-19 wreaked chaos with young people’s education, Ethan Bryson was a year 11 leaver who, like thousands of others finished school early without the usual fanfare and a definitive plan for the long summer stretching ahead of him. This was until he signed up to take part in the NCS (National Citizen Service) programme.
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