Wycombe Wanderers continue to help community Keep Moving Forward

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For the past 14 weeks during the COVID-19 pandemic, Wycombe Wanderers Sports and Education Trust (WWSET) have supported hundreds of people with their mental health by adapting their Keep Moving Forward project.

The project, which supports people facing mental health difficulties, has been adapted from face-to-face sessions to conducting online sessions in Indian Clubs (a form of physical exercise) and yoga, as well as weekly online mindfulness sessions in partnership with Bucks Mind.

In addition, the Trust have also been making contact with each and every one of their members weekly to provide a listening ear, ease any worries and provide coping strategies that members can practice and adopt throughout the week and beyond.

The sessions have enabled people to keep connected and provide a sense of routine and normality, as well as much needed support during the COVID-19 crisis.

Sam White, Head of Health at Wycombe Wanderers Sports and Education Trust said:

“Lockdown has been an uncertain and distressing time for all of us. However, for those already living with mental health problems it’s been an even tougher road than normal due to the fact many normal coping mechanisms have been taken away and services stretched.

“It’s for this reason that when the lockdown came into place WWSET knew we had to adapt our normal sessions quickly in order to support our community. We immediately had to stop our physical sessions and quickly learn how to adapt to online versions of two of our courses; Indian Clubs and Yoga, which was challenging.

“WWSET also began providing targeted 1-2-1 calls each week to provide support and advice to those most in need. This has been a really difficult time for a lot of our members however I genuinely feel our method of support has helped people to feel connected.

“We have been fortunate to run an additional two short courses (mindfulness and cooking for one) during this time, and are looking forward to gradually getting back to more face to face interactions.”

Here is what a few members had to say about Keep Moving Forward sessions:

“Having a call with Sam and text exchanges has helped me to feel less isolated during the lockdown -especially living alone. “

“Indian Clubs was an important part of my weekly structure pre-lockdown and I was so relieved that this has been able to continue via Zoom. I enjoy the different exercises and feel like it’s helping my body get stronger and my mind keep active. Plus, it’s lovely seeing everyone and Sam’s friendly energy and encouragement makes all the difference.”

“Being in isolation is tough but being connected to the group via the virtual yoga is a godsend. After the session you feel invigorated but calm and relaxed. It’s the highlight of the week.”

“Speaking to Sam helped me by keeping me positive. It’s good to talk, but also her calming positive attitude helped focus on being in the present. Knowing that they are always available to talk to is so important for my wellbeing”

18 Year Old Katie Helps Support 70 Vulnerable Households

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“Everyone should come together in times of need and work together as a team.” says Katie McDougall who has been volunteering with Preston North End ‘Helping Hampers’ Campaign, she continues, “As a young person, I’ve got lots of time on my hands and if I can volunteer my services, I will. If I can help others, put a smile on their face and get them through this hardship, then obviously it makes me feel good as well!”   

Katie, aged 18, joined Preston North End Community and Education Trust (PNECET) to volunteer for their ‘Helping Hampers’ Campaign. The campaign supports the most vulnerable people in the community of Preston with hampers of essential food and provisions.  So far she has helped provide 70 vulnerable household with essential provision to help get them through this difficult period.

Katie first came in to contact PNECET when she did NCS in 2019 and that is how she found out about the opportunity to volunteer for the ‘Helping Hampers’ campaign. NCS is a youth programme designed for 16-17 year olds that runs every summer and autumn. The experience is all about empowering young people, to help develop their skills that will set them up for life after school. On NCS, participants live away from home and get a taste of independence as well as positively impacting their local community through a social action project.

Katie said: “I heard about this [PNECET Helping Hampers] because I’ve taken part in NCS. My family are quite involved with Preston [North End], follow them on Facebook, and saw that the Community and Education Trust are doing this really good scheme making hampers for vulnerable people.”

Katie is a student at Newman College and should have been doing her exams. Instead, she’s at home still studying but with plenty of time on her hands and so volunteered a few hours each week to help put together over 70 hampers together for vulnerable people within Preston.

Christine Latus is Preston North End season ticket holder and was a recipient of a PNECET Helping Hamper, she said;

“It’s absolutely wonderful, it’s a real surprise – I didn’t expect anything like this at all, but it’s really helpful and it’s lovely to think that the club are thinking about the supporters in these strange times. We obviously can’t go to matches or anything, so it’s really, really kind, I really appreciate it.”

NCS have recently launched ‘Keep Doing Good’ to help young people take an active role in the recovery of the country after COVID-19.

As part of Katie’s time on NCS she delivered a social action project that had a positive impact on the community. After her volunteering with PNECET Katie is keen to do more volunteering to support the community.

Katie said “It’s been great to help out and support the local community of Preston. I want to continue doing that and look forward to volunteering more in the community. I would encourage other young people my age to take up volunteering, it’s really rewarding and a good use of time”

Preston North End Community and Education Trust Community Partnerships Manager Rebecca Robertson said: “Katie has been a valued volunteer on our PNECET Helping Hampers campaign. She has spent time in our offices at Deepdale helping with making the boxes for our hampers and packing them with food, toiletries and other engaging materials for the vulnerable members of our community.

“It has been great to see one of our NCS graduates getting involved with our community initiatives during this difficult time and we’re looking forward to working with Katie more on the NCS Keep Doing Good project, as we’re sure she can continue making a real impact in our community!”

If you are 15-17 and want to support your local community volunteering then sign up to ‘Keep Doing Good’ and help get your local community back on its feet after. 

“We’re really pleased Colchester United FITC staff have volunteered to befriend our residents. It’s been a lifeline for lots of them.”

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