Blackburn Rovers Community Trust’s award winning Men in Sheds group visit Senior Training Centre

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Today is International Men’s Day.

Blackburn Rovers Community Trust’s award winning Men in Sheds group visited the Senior Training Centre earlier this month to meet the first team squad.

The group were given a tour of the facility, and watched the first team prepare for their Championship match at home against Preston North End.They also had a Q&A session with Rovers’ Tyrhys Dolan, with the discussion focused on mental health and well-being.

Tyrhys was very open with the group about the challenges he has faced in his life, following the passing of his best friend Jeremy Wisten in 2020.Likewise, the Men in Sheds group shared their own experiences of how they have lost somebody close to them, and how it had an impact on their mental health.

The Men in Sheds project is run in partnership with Darwen Council, with the aim of supporting men in the community to discuss their mental health and develop new skills in a safe environment.

The group has 20 plus members signed up, and they all meet up on a weekly basis, and have developed close friendships courtesy of the programme. In 2022, Men in Sheds won the Health and Wellbeing Awards – Group – at the Community Volunteer Awards at King George’s Hall.

Bharat Parmar, who regularly attends in the Men in Sheds programme, said: “It was nice to speak to a professional footballer about what he has gone through and it is not easy to talk about.“Tyrhys is only 21 years old and being able to talk about what he has gone through, and he is like an ambassador now to raise awareness, it is fantastic what he does.

“It is great for the Men in Sheds group to be involved with this visit to the Senior Training Centre. Unless people talk about mental health, it will never go any further, so it is important we do talk.”

Each year, on the 19th November, International Men’s Day celebrates worldwide the positive value men bring to the world, their families and communities. The purpose for International Men’s Day is to also raise awareness for the multiple issues that men face.

Ilyas Patel, who runs the Men in Sheds programme for Blackburn Rovers Community Trust, said: “It was a privilege to have the opportunity to visit the senior traning ground last week and be able to watch the players train.

“The group absolutely loved it and were so excited to have their shirts signed and to get to meet the players. Meeting with Tyrhys Dolan and him talking about his struggles was inspirational and really helpful to the group.”

 

United In Support For Our Armed Forces Community

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EFL Clubs and their Community Organisations have been paying their respects and tributes to the Armed Forces community.

Grounds across the EFL stood still this November to observe two-minute silences prior to kick offs, also welcoming military personnel, players wearing poppies on shirts and wreaths laid on the pitch.

The Armed Forces Community are a huge part of EFL communities with more than 1.8m people in England reporting they had previously served in the UK.

Many Clubs and their Community Organisations (CCOs) across the EFL provide a range of support programmes for veterans of all ages, helping them with mental health challenges, and education and employment opportunities.

Here’s just a flavour of the community engagement that’s took place…

As part of the EFL Week of Action (6th-10th November), Preston North End Community & Education Trust hosted a football match with mixed teams of veterans and refugees/asylum seekers.

An celebratory occasion where football was used as a platform for integration, where everyone told their emotional stories before the match took place, including those from the PNE Forces programme.

The initiative includes football and social sessions designed to allow forces members of both past and present a way to keep active while forming new relationships with like-minded people, all the while benefiting their mental and physical health.

Many CCOs used EFL Week Of Action – a dedicated week that showcases the outstanding work within the 72 EFL Communities – to highlight stories of veterans they have supported.

Including Leeds United’s Sam Byram visit to the Club’s Veterans Group, and Baz Cooper who hit rock bottom, and spoke about how Club Doncaster Foundation helped him get back on his feet via their Fit Forces programme.

Over 50 members of the Armed Forces community attended Blackpool FC Community Trust’s NAAFI Break session, alongside Blackpool FC’s COO Jonty Castle who is also a veteran.

Sheffield Wednesday FC Community Programme took two veterans from their Owls In Force project into local primary schools where they shared their experiences. Take a look at their video here.

The CCO in Morecambe, a town with a long history supporting the Armed Forces community, even have a dedicated Veterans Support Officer among their ranks.

Veterans, serving personnel and families of veterans from across Lancashire unite at the Mazuma Stadium monthly, via a Morecambe FC Community Sports-run coffee morning session, where they have the chance to engage, seek out agency support and rediscover camaraderie.

 

“We have a duty to look after our Armed Forces and their families, and we and local partners, have a proud tradition of doing just that.

“Our coffee mornings have gone from strength to strength, including a newly-established volunteer group to work on more community projects. We felt it was right to introduce a dedicated role which has been gratefully funded by the Veterans Foundation to allow us to grow our support offer.

“We are also Bronze Award recipients of the Ministry Of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme working towards the Silver Award in due course.”

Stuart Glover, CEO of Morecambe FC Community Sports

The EFL and the EFL Trust earlier this summer – ahead of Armed Forces Day – invited members of the military and the Ministry of Defence to their joint signing of the Armed Forces Covenant.

In signing the covenant, both organisations seek to uphold the covenant’s principles, recognising the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring within the organisation and community by pledging their ongoing support to them.

“Members of the Armed Forces make a significant contribution to our country and we understand the issues that veterans and their family members face.

“We are proud to make a commit to share opportunities with the Armed Forces family, using football to bring people together for the greater good, and in an environment where they are treated fairly and equally and with an opportunity to thrive.”

Cathy Abraham, CEO of EFL Trust

 

“I served 10 years in the infantry with my local regiment. Throughout this time, football was a big part of army life – the connection between football and the armed forces has been going for a long time.

“Upon leaving the army I found it really difficult to settle back into civilian life but thanks to football, it helped me get to where I am today. I gained my coaching badges and got a full-time role with Stockport County Community Trust.

“We’re now looking at piloting our own programmes for the Armed Forces in the local area, where I can use my personal experience to help others from a similar background to me.”

Mark Ward from Stockport County Community Trust, who served as a solider and was awarded the Military Cross in 2010

Like Morecambe and other CCOs, many provide weekly support to local veterans using their stadiums as welcoming environments.

At Cardiff City FC, their Community Foundation’s Armed Forces Veterans Hub is a social isolation project that supports veterans who are at high risk of social isolation and loneliness. Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan has a veterans population of around 27,000 and 8% suffer from mental health issues including depression and anxiety.

Weekly online and face-to-face sessions provide structure and support for people to get together, connect and take part in a range of activities that improve physical and mental wellbeing.

Blackpool Community Trust go beyond Bloomfield Road and use their own facility at the Aspire Sports Hub as well as their popular weekly walk where gentle routes around the scenic grounds of Stanley Park are enjoyed.

“When we talk about armed forces veterans, typically we think of people aged 60 – 70 years of age but it is absolutely not just that age group. The people we are engaging with at Blackpool Community Trust are in their 20s and early thirties.

“While our provision primarily focuses on football activities, we also deliver support for things like housing benefits and mental and social health for each veteran and their family members.”

Ashley Hackett, CEO of Blackpool Community Trust

EFL WEEK OF ACTION SHINES A LIGHT ON LIFE CHANGING COMMUNITY WORK ACROSS ENGLAND AND WALES       

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Today marks the start of the English Football League’s (EFL) annual Week of Action (6 – 10 November) where all 72 member Clubs unite to highlight the impact they have on their communities as a collective.

Across the week, managers and players including Pompey’s John Mousinho, Saint’s striker Che Adams, and Wrexham’s Paul Mullin will be out in their local areas meeting participants and getting involved in the life-changing community activities their Club’s deliver through their Club Community Organisations (CCOs). Almost 48,500 appearances have been made by EFL players over the last three seasons.

EFL Clubs support hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people all year round, with the demand continuing to rise from challenges including the current cost of living crisis. As evidenced in the EFL’s most recent community impact report, more than 840,000 participants engaged in EFL Club community activities over almost 580,000 hours during across the season. In the same period EFL Clubs delivered over £865m worth of social value to towns and cities across the country and generated more than £101m for community investment.

The 2023/24 Week of Action will see appearances including:

  • Wrexham AFC’s Paul Mullin will meet participants from the Club’s holiday camp designed specifically for primary and secondary school-aged children with autism
  • Blackpool players helping out with a foodbank collection at the stadium which provides 50 food parcels each week to the local community
  • Carlisle’s manager Paul Simpson will take part in a Q&A session during the Club’s Veteran’s Breakfast event
  • Portsmouth’s John Mousinho will demonstrate his culinary skills while getting involved in a youth cooking session at Pompey’s Blue’s Kitchen
  • Southampton striker, Che Adams, will be taking part in an Active Through Football session with refugees living in the community
  • Conor Chaplin will meet with Ipswich Town’s official LGBTQ+ supporters group
  • Bristol Rovers first team squad will visit participants from the Club’s mental health programme, Rebound Rovers, during a tour of the training ground
  • To mark the 15th birthday of QPR’s down’s syndrome team, Tiger Cubs, players have been invited to meet the new manager and first team at the training ground where they’ll take part in a skills session

Trevor Birch, CEO of the EFL, said:

“The EFL is about two things – great football competitions and supporting communities 365 days a year – and our annual Week of Action highlights so clearly the strength and breadth of the community work clubs deliver.

“Every week players and managers across the League take time away from the training pitch to get actively involved in their Clubs’ community work, acting as role models and inspiring the next generation. Through the Week of Action campaign, we’re able to give Club community work the prolife it deserves, sharing the remarkable stories of those whose lives have been changed, and in some cases, saved through the work of their local Club.”

Cathy Abraham, CEO of the EFL Trust, said:

“We’re immensely proud of the ground-breaking work our Clubs and Club Community Organisations provide, and the unique ability of the network are supported to deliver local impact on a national scale. The investment Clubs make in their communities through these programmes is testament to the value they bring to people’s lives.”

Click here to download a copy of the ‘Measuring the Impact of Clubs in the Community’ report and to find out more about the EFL Week of Action visit www.efl.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

How the support of USW and Carlisle United Community Sports Trust has driven Ross to ensure sport is accessible.

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As an avid fan of Carlisle United, the opportunity for Ross to study for a degree at his Club provided him with “great joy and a whole new feeling of excitement” which meant ‘work’ didn’t feel like ‘work’ to Ross.

Moreover, the extra support from the academic mentors at Carlisle United helped Ross learn in a way that suited him and his own personal circumstance.

He said: “Often I would go into the study centre and ask for help, they would help me structure my work in a way that my autism would understand, which would allow me to complete the work successfully.”

The University of South Wales allows students to gain practical experience in their desired nature of work, whilst allowing for a blended learning approach where students have both face-to face and online learning. The courses which are hosted at your local football club has a huge emphasis on gaining real world learning through placements with students only having to attend the University for short residential periods.

Students on the degree programme have numerous points of support, despite its blended learning approach from club mentors to lecturers. This level of support was a huge driver in Ross’ success in completing his degree with a first class.

As an individual who thrives off support and inclusion, Ross he enjoyed the residential trips that happen throughout the year. The students travel to Cardiff to take part in theory and practical sessions that allow them to meet their lecturers and peers in person.

Ross explained: My favourite part of the degree was going down to Cardiff on residential, meeting my lectures, meeting friends and having a chat with everyone because it was all people within the same boat as me, the same interests who wanted to do what I do and talking to them made me feel like I had strong friendships.”

With these bonds, and Ross’ passion for inclusion, the degree has prepared him for his future career.

“When I was growing up there was never a team that was for me my Autism, so I felt I missed out a bit. However, there’s lots of inclusion and sport involved within the degree as well as man management and methods of working with children and people with differences.  This  has helped me use those within my work and I want to make sure that in the future everyone get to enjoy sport.”

Ross currently works at Carlisle Youth Zone where he endeavours to put a smile on everyone’s faces through ensuring  everyone has access to sport.

Click here to find out more.

From work experience to School Sports Coordinator: How USW gave Leah the skills for full-time employment at Wigan Athletic Community Trust.

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Leah is no stranger to Wigan Athletic Community Trust having first been given an insight into the fantastic work they do to serve their local people whilst on work experience in secondary school.

Leah comments, “Whilst I was ok at school, I was just bumbling a long and not overly interested in anything. However the work experience at the Trust inspired me to want to be part of what they do.”

Having impressed, she was invited back at interview stage for an 18-month apprenticeship. The familiarity of her surroundings put her in good stead and been Leah completed the apprenticeship programme before moving on to the foundation degree programme in partnership with the University of South Wales.

The University of South Wales allows students to gain practical experience in their desired nature of work, whilst allowing for a blended learning approach where students have both face-to face and online learning. The courses which are hosted at your local football club has a huge emphasis on gaining real world learning through placements with students only having to attend the University for short residential periods.

Although the foundation degree programme provides blended learning, allowing students to learn remotely whilst accessing work-placement opportunities. There is also a large emphasis on the cohesion and enjoyment that residential trips provide.

However, with a national lockdown in place, Leah would not get to experience the degree as she did in her 2nd and 3rd years. However, she would not be disheartened.

As the world opened again, Leah could venture into the working world through a plethora of opportunities that the Trust provides though various provisions.

She explained that this exposure made her “more organised, be able to manage time and become a better coach.”

This was the start of Leah’s journey into full time employment at the club she had known for years.

With a promotion to School Sports Coordinator shortly after she graduated from the University of South Wales, it was a role that she adores.

She said: “I absolutely love working with children, they brighten my day with how enthusiastic they are about PE and Sport.”

Despite, self admittedly not being an avid football fan like many who enrol on the course, Leah’s story is an example of how the University of South Wales Foundation Degree allows students to tailor their own learning and pathways to excel at all levels of coaching from football to dance.

 

Click here to find out more.

Foundation Degree with Bristol Rovers helped Will build confidence in finding his future career path.

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Will always wanted to be a football coach, but lacked the confidence to fulfil his dream.

He was nervous about seeking out the opportunities that would allow him to progress into coaching and not comfortable in asking for help either. This was a driver in Will’s decision to enroll on the USW Foundation degree course at Bristol Rovers. He was fan of the Club and the course offered the chance to gain coaching experience alongside his studies, which in turn removed the daunting idea of having to find the opportunities himself.

He described himself as “never the confident person in the room, I would always be the one at the back being quiet.”  However, the foundation degree nurtured Will’s confidence and exposed him to real-world working environments that took him out of his comfort zone and allowed him to grow both personally and professionally.

The University of South Wales allows students to gain practical experience in their desired nature of work, whilst allowing for a blended learning approach where students have both face-to face and online learning. The courses which are hosted at your local football club has a huge emphasis on gaining real world learning through placements with students only having to attend the University for short residential periods.

The foundation degree also provides students with the ability to gain further qualifications alongside their studies including their coaching badges, something that helped Will to hone in on his future.

He explained: “I felt this differed from different educational experiences as I was able to gain work experience whilst studying. I was able to gain qualifications along the way and was able to work on different projects that the trust offered to find the area of work I enjoyed the most.”

As someone who struggled for confidence, Will hugely benefited from the small class size as it allowed him to gain more in depth, individual support from his degree mentor. Will has continued at his degree provider, Bristol Rovers Community Trust where he is now Head of Inclusion and Degree Mentor on the same programme that provided him the platform to develop his self-belief, confidence and career aspirations.

Click here to find out more.

EFL in the Community Newsletter: Issue Four – Out Now!

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The latest issue of our EFL in the Community newsletter is out now!

The publication showcases a selection of the invaluable activities carried out by EFL Clubs and their Club Community Organisations (CCOs).

Taking place every day across England and Wales, EFL Clubs and CCOs collectively continue to make a huge difference and positive impact on our communities while improving people’s lives.

In this latest edition, we highlight the value of the Armed Forces community following the signature of the Armed Forces Covenant, and the inclusive culture of Club Doncaster Foundation that has given transgender woman Charlie a ‘fresh start’ in her life.

In addition, the newsletter promotes the ongoing support for young people with disabilities taking place across the network, the new Sports Business Management degree being delivered by the EFL Trust in partnership with the University of South Wales, and Wrexham AFC’s community ticketing initiative.

Also there’s an array of images from the successful summer soccer camps delivered by CCOs up and down the country.

Get Vocal with Blackpool Community Trust provides men an outlet to taking the first step in improving their mental health

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Get Vocal is a men’s talking group which has been formed by Blackpool FC Community Trust, Blackpool Football Club and Blackpool Council. The group is aimed at supporting men aged 18+ by providing a safe, non-judgmental and confidential setting for them to talk openly about their mental health and challenges they may be facing. The sessions take place every Monday evening in the North Stand Community Hub from 6-8pm (excluding bank holidays). Men can simply turn up, talk and get it off their chest!

“Over the course of my life I have been affected by, not only my own mental health, but that of my friends and family. I have lost friends to their battles and faced dark times myself, and from this have developed a passion for working within mental health and supporting those that need it. When my manager came and asked me if I wanted to be a part of Get Vocal, it was a no brainer for me. I had to do it, and I am so glad that I did. It might sound alien to others, but those 2 hours a week that we have for Get Vocal, are the best 2 hours of my week. I may facilitate the group, but even sitting and listening to what’s being said has enabled me to counteract specific problems I have faced myself. The camaraderie, support and respect from every member of the group makes me incredibly proud of what we have achieved and makes me even more excited about what we could do in the future to better support the men of Blackpool. This group has proven that stigmas can be removed and that is the thing I am most proud of.” – Dan – Group Facilitator

The group was first launched 1 year ago, on World Mental Health Day and has played a huge part in supporting men’s mental health. So far, 35 men have accessed the group with a total of 298 attendances overall. The group is attended by men of all ages and backgrounds, who all have their own individual life experiences. However, the one thing the group shares in common is that they are all there to support their own mental health and provide peer support to each other. Each week, men have the time and space to reflect on their week and talk about any challenges they have faced, as well as sharing the positives, for example proactive things they have done to better support their wellbeing. Conversations have ranged from discussing relationship breakdowns, financial worries, depression and anxiety, work stress and more.

As the group has evolved and more men have started to attend, we further developed our reach to better support those who attend by setting up a WhatsApp group. The idea behind this was to enable support outside of the talking group time. Men that wanted to opt into the group did, and it is superb to see the level of support that the men offer each other throughout the week, offering each other advice, support or just to offload.

Many of the men who attend the group shared the same story about having previously put off coming and how difficult it was to make the initial first step through the door. We are also aware of many other men who have wanted to come but have felt too anxious or nervous to attend.

As a way to try and remove some of these barriers and to reach even more men, we launched The Get Vocal Podcast. The first episode was released in August, featuring local author, youth worker and spoken word poet, Nathan Parker, who came and shared his own personal journey and experiences and how he now uses his platform to empower others who may be going through difficult times. We have since released a further two episodes and will continue with monthly episodes, featuring a variety of guest speakers talking about all things men’s mental health, that the men of Blackpool can relate to. We hope that men will listen/watch the podcast and feel empowered to make that first step.

The aim of The Get Vocal Podcast is to reach even more men in our town, providing them with an online platform, that allows them to listen to other men share their own experiences and reduce the stigma attached to men’s mental health. We hope by listening, men who are in need will also feel more confident to take their first step through our doors on a Monday evening and get the support they need.

“Get Vocal is more than just a men’s talking group. A mixed group of men in many ways, however all striving for the same goal of some form of mental clarity whilst breaking down barriers and stigma. Respectful, non-judgemental.” – Participant

Extra Time Hubs with Posh Foundation reconnected David with his local community

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David Allen, a lifelong Posh Fan, was like many people who reach retirement and find their social life away from work slowly diminishes. David felt life was not heading in the right direction and he felt incredibly lonely due to not having any family and friends close by.  That is when his Football Club came to his aid and he joined the Posh Foundations Extra Time Hub.

The Extra Time Hubs enable Retired and semi-retired people make the most of their free time and enjoy doing the things they want to do. With friendships, support and being the socially active forefront of the Hubs aim, participants decide what they wish to take in with various activities on offer from quizzes to walking football.

David wanted to meet new like-minded people and begin to enjoy life more after feeling lonely and isolated for such a long time. David felt that everything the hub was offering would be perfect for him. Since attending the Hub has also been feeling less lonely and much more satisfied with his life

David said “The hub gives me a reason to leave the house, it is what I look forward to most each week. I have been able to meet people that I wouldn’t have been able to meet without the Hub. I feel connected to the community again and have a real sense of belonging again.”

Gill Wignall of the Posh Foundation said “David is now a key member of the hub and volunteers his time to lead on some of our activities such as organising quizzes every week for the other members to take part in. He attends every week along with attending Peterborough United home matches.”

Peterborough are one of 19 EFL clubs that run the EFL Trust’s Extra Time Hubs, that were initially funded by Sport England through the National Lottery.

Gill continues, “Activities for older people tended to be small coffee morning or bingo sessions. The Extra Time Hubs set out to do something different and create a social community of people in their retirement years who meet regularly to socialise and to do the things they enjoy or want to try, not what they are expected to do because they’ve reached a certain age. The Hubs focus on the social side of the hub and help people to feel better by reducing their social isolation and loneliness and in doing so we also nudge them towards being more physically active too.”

EFL AND KELLOGG’S SIGN FIVE-YEAR DEAL

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The EFL and EFL Trust are pleased to welcome one of the UK’s most popular cereal brands, Kellogg’s, as an Official Partner.  

With football and cereal part of daily life for millions of people across England and Wales, the EFL and the EFL Trust’s network of Club Community Organisations will come together with multinational food manufacturing company Kellogg’s to positively impact the 72 communities where EFL clubs are located.

Behind the popular favourites of millions of households in the UK, such as Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies and Coco Pops, Kellogg’s will also have presence across all the EFL’s three divisions and five Wembley finals, as well as working with the EFL’s charitable arm through to the end of the 2027/28 season.

Ben Wright, Chief Commercial Officer of the EFL, said:

“The EFL is excited to be joining forces with a trusted global brand in Kellogg’s and we look forward to the impact that this partnership will deliver over the coming years, with the backing of a household name.

“With growing attendances, bigger audiences and an enhanced sponsorship portfolio, the EFL’s popularity is clear. Eighty per cent of the population live within 15 miles of an EFL Club and millions of fans come through the turnstiles every month, meaning the League has the ability to forge strong connections with families on a nationwide scale.”

Cathy Abraham, Chief Executive Officer of the EFL Trust, said:

“Between the EFL Trust’s vision and Kellogg’s ambition around the roles we play in our communities, we are perfectly aligned to create a significant and positive impact. Together, we will be a force for good and we will create positive moments for our communities for years to come.”

Chris Silcock, Kellogg’s UK Managing Director, said:

“It’s been our great privilege to be part of British life for more than one hundred years, so it’s only right we should be joining up with another iconic institution like the EFL. Both Kellogg’s and the EFL are brands at the heart of communities up and down the country and this is the start of a great partnership.”