With an increase of Coronavirus cases in Brentford, Ealing Council asked young people from the National Citizen Service (NCS) programme to help with its COVID-19 messaging to the general public.
Brian Burgess a stalwart of Brentford FC Community Trust has been awarded the British Empire Medal for his services to football in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Brian, who has been involved with Brentford FC for decades, has been a Trustee for their Community Sports Trust for more than 15 years, helping to cement Brentford’s reputation as a community-led football club. He has been recognised for his voluntary service to football.
Speaking about the award, Brian said:
“I am delighted and humbled to be awarded this BEM, which recognises the valuable work of Brentford FC Community Sports Trust and its impact in local communities.
“It’s an absolute privilege to have served as a Trustee from the Trust’s inception in 2005 and to work closely with Chief Executive Lee Doyle and his team in developing such exciting projects such as the new community hub next to Brentford Community Stadium and the impressive sports hub at Gunnersbury Park.”
His passion for the Trust derives from a long-held belief that football and the local community should be fully integrated, which leads to enhanced social cohesion.
Speaking about the Trust, he said:
“As a charity, the Community Sports Trust delivers a wide range of programmes using the power of sport to educate, motivate and inspire people from all backgrounds including vulnerable and hard-to-reach groups. The way in which the team has successfully adapted these goals to the difficult circumstances of the pandemic has been truly amazing.
“Therefore, this award is a tribute to everyone involved in the Community Sports Trust and its partners, and the efforts of so many former colleagues and volunteers at the Club and Bees United.
“On a personal level, I owe so much to my late wife, Sylvia, who was and always will be an inspiration.”
Along with his pioneering community work, Brian has been actively involved with Brentford FC for most of his life, initially as a supporter. He was Chairman of Bees United, the Brentford Supporters’ Trust, when the fans completed a takeover of Brentford FC in early 2006, helping raise the funds required to refinance the Club.
Brian helped pave the way for the initial involvement of current owner Matthew Benham and served as Deputy Chairman until taking up a paid position on the new stadium project in 2008. Brian first started working in a voluntary capacity on the project to get Brentford FC a new stadium 2002, which came to fruition last month. He was on the Boards of Lionel Road Developments Ltd and Brentford FC (Lionel Road) Ltd until 2017.
Ian Dobie, Chair of Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, said:
“On behalf of everyone at Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, I congratulate Brian on being recognised for the work he has carried out so selflessly for the Club and Trust. This is a truly well-deserved honour.”
A view reflected by Lee Doyle, Chief Executive of Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, he said:
“Brian is a fantastic role model for sport supporters that want to make a positive difference to their club and its surrounding communities. It has been a remarkable journey and we are looking forward to a bright future.”
Despite the ongoing effects of COVID-19, EFL players across the country are finding new ways to have an impact in their local community through various virtual platforms.
Football Clubs are at the heart of local communities and children see their players as role models. School visits from players across the EFL are a common fixture under usual circumstances, however in many areas, children are currently missing out due to the pandemic.
However, that hasn’t stopped Doncaster Rovers midfielder, Ben Whiteman, paying a surprise virtual visit to some Year 5 and 6 Students at Sunnyfields Primary school in Doncaster. The session included Ben chatting with the children about his life as a footballer, his role as club captain and the overall benefits of playing sport keeping fit and active. This was followed by a Q&A session.
Emma Smith, teacher of the Tiger class at Sunnyfields Primary, in Doncaster, said:
“We loved the opportunity today. The children came up with their own questions to ask Ben.
We’ve got quite a few footballers in our class so it was really good to hear some expert advice on how they can get better and how they can train better.”
Club Doncaster Foundation are keen to make this a regular occurrence during this challenging time. Kelly Jackson-Powell, Sports development officer at Club Doncaster Foundation said:
“Our player visits are always very well received in the community and being able to continue to do this safely is great for the children.
The class really enjoyed today and were able to chat to Ben about his life as a professional footballer, and even asked him some cheeky questions too!
We’re looking forward to arranging some more events like this in the future.”
Newcastle and Sunderland’s intense rivalry is being set aside today, as they send an important message to fellow football fans on World Mental Health Day – mental health has no team and no colours.
Brought together by Newcastle United Foundation and Sunderland AFC’s Foundation of Light, Geordies and Mackems alike are being encouraged to start potentially life-saving conversations with family and friends, or to take their own steps to share their mental wellbeing with others.
This year’s theme for World Mental Health Day is ‘mental health for all’, so the Newcastle United Foundation and Foundation of Light have released a powerful and compelling video featuring the stories of two fans who have received support through the club’s official charities, and as part of the Be a Game Changer campaign.
Andrew a life-long Sunderland fan, speaks about how a difficult, and heart-breaking, situation was the catalyst for him to seek help and open-up about how he was feeling. The life-changing support he needed came when he visited the Match Day Mental Health Hub at the Beacon of Light – a free service created by Sunderland AFC supporter group, Branch Liaison Council, and supported by the Foundation of Light – which provides fans access to free trained counsellors from Washington Mind.
Andrew a diehard Newcastle fan, tells of how he struggled with poor mental health for a number of years as a result of anxiety relating to his weight. Last year he tried to take his own life but found support through Newcastle United Foundation.
Ashley Lowe, Health and Wellbeing Manager at Newcastle United Foundation, said: “On World Mental Health Day, we are sharing an important and powerful message from Newcastle and Sunderland supporters themselves, who have come together to tell others that mental health is something you can talk about and you will be listened to. One in four of us will experience mental health issues at some point in our lives. These issues are indiscriminate and mental health has no club and no colours – our experiences with mental health make us human and we need to talk about it more openly to encourage potentially life-saving conversations. For men in particular, who love their club and their city – the Be A Game Changer campaign is here to support them and to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.”
Funded by the North East and North Cumbria Suicide Prevention Network, the Be A Game Changer mental health awareness campaign aims to reduce the region’s suicide rates among men aged 20 to 49. In January this year, both charities joined forces to make a combined commitment to promote positive mental health to thousands of supporters visiting St. James’ Park and the Stadium of Light through the campaign.
Liz Barton-Jones, Foundation of Light’s Head of Health and Wellbeing, said: “We know that there are so many people out there struggling in silence; particularly men who are often led to believe sharing their feelings is ‘not what men do’. “Our Be A Game Changer campaign is there to let people know they will be listened to and supported, and it’s okay to not be okay. We hope the powerful video and the fans stories gets people talking – in Sunderland and Newcastle – as we know all it takes to potentially save a life, is to start that first conversation. If we can encourage just one fan to open up it’s been a success.”
The important and powerful message comes at a critical time for the region. The COVID-19 crisis has not only left stands at both stadiums empty, with supporters unable to share matchdays with loved ones or fellow fans, it has also resulted in an increase in mental health related issues as thousands struggle with social isolation, the worries of job security and the financial impact of the pandemic.
Throughout lockdown, both Foundations have adapted their health and wellbeing programmes to ensure participants of all ages remained engaged – in Newcastle, this included more than 1,000 phone calls made to elderly and vulnerable people, around 200 people given mental health guidance to lower anxiety and feeling of loneliness, and NHS staff invited to access Be A Game Changer mental wellness guidance online.
In Sunderland, elderly members of the community were supported through regular contact though phone calls and WhatsApp messages as part of the Extra Time Hub, with SAFC Director David Jones personally calling 45 fans. Sit and Be Fit exercise videos were shared online for those unable to get out, and the dedicated free fitness programme for fans, Fit Black Cats, temporarily moved to Facebook to continue supporting members, with each losing an average of 5kg during lockdown.
Be A Game Changer Facebook communities for both clubs have also played their part during lockdown as they have become an increasingly important hub to thousands of people, offering comfort, advice and practical information for those experiencing mental health issues or for friends and relatives supporting someone else.
With some lockdown restrictions lifted, both charities are back to operating a number of weekly health and wellbeing programmes, including Walking Football, free over-40s NHS health checks, specific mental health sessions with Fit Black Cats, 12th Man and Washington Mind’s Get Set to Go programmes.
The Be A Game Changer campaign was originally launched in February 2019 to encouraged Newcastle United supporters to talk about they are really feeling and to recognise when they or their loved ones are in crisis.
For more information about Be a Game Changer in Newcastle, visit nufoundation.org.uk/beagamechanger.
For support and further information in Sunderland, please visit foundationoflight.co.uk/beagamechanger.
Alternatively, join the NUFC Facebook community or the SAFC Facebook community.
As part of World Mental Health Day Addicks Star George Lapslie conducted a fascinating interview with Mahala a participant on one of Charlton Athletic Community Trust’s mental health programmes
George offered to interview Mahala as part of CACT and Charlton Athletic’s celebration of World Mental Health Day in partnership with the English Football League and MIND Charity.
During the fascinating interview Mahala opened up about her experience of psychosis. CACT organised a Zoom conversation between Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) participant Mahala and Charlton Athletic first-team player George Lapslie.
Mahala Debnam, 29, became a participant on EIP, which is run in partnership with the Kent and Medway Early Intervention Service in West Kent, in 2017. The programme is funded by Live Well Kent, a network of organisations who come together to support people with their mental health and general wellbeing.
“I was involved due to experiencing my first episode of acute psychosis back in July 2017”, Mahala explained. “CACT’s project and services have been part of the programme for the Early Intervention in Psychosis team to help people like myself going through struggles of psychosis. “Without the CACT programme, I would not have been where I am today with my mental health recovery”, she added.
The EIP programme involves a range of sport and physical activities plus culture and leisure visits. Mahala told George about four-day Next Steps residential to Cornwall for participants who are at an advanced stage of their recovery.
Mahala, who is from Higham, Kent, describes one activity on the trip as a “turning point” in her journey. “One of the things we did was do a zip wire flight over the Eden Project globes. This was very much a turning point in my mental health due to being able to overcome my fear and anxiety as a whole.”
George said: “I think a lot of players probably do suffer with some sort of mental health problem. It’s not at all, but in the eyes of football it’s sort of seen as a weakness to say ‘do you know what, I feel down today, I don’t feel alright’. “I don’t really talk to anyone about it [mental health], my girlfriend is the person I really talk to about it but really and truly you need more people than just one person to talk to about your problems.”
Chris Thomas, a spokesperson for Live Well Kent, said: “Many people will benefit from CACT’s expertise and we’re pleased to fund its work. We also believe that a joint approach is the best way to help people who are struggling, so we’re very glad to have CACT as part of our network of support services. “It means CACT’s clients will find it easier to access other Live Well Kent support – for more general health issues, housing or employment – when they feel ready to do so.”
CACT runs a number of mental health programmes in addition to EIP, which it also delivers in South East London in partnership with Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust. These include Up & At ‘Em, an award-winning mental health project run in partnership with Oxleas for over 65s with a mental health diagnosis.
Click here to watch clips of George and Mahala’s discussion.
Duncan, aged 50, has a history of suffering with anxiety, depression and Type II Diabetes. He joined the Get Set to Go, which is run in partnership with Mind in Mid Herts, back in January 2020. Despite initial nerves linked to his anxiety, Duncan joined the sessions from week 1 and found that as the weeks went on, not only did his physical health improve, stating weight loss and better control of his blood sugar levels, but his mental health also significantly improved.
He says “The best thing I could have done was getting in contact with Mind in Mid Herts, as I wanted to be more active to lose weight and get my blood sugars under control. Mental health is just as important as physical and there should be no shame in saying ‘I think I need help.”
Although the football sessions had to be suspended during the lockdown period, Duncan continued to stay active by joining in with virtual fitness sessions lead by the Foundation and Mind in Mid Herts. He managed to improve his fitness levels even further through these sessions and found that the weekly group engagement was key in maintaining his social contact. These sessions took place weekly and helped maintain a sense of community for the participants keeping them engaged in being active. There was even ‘guest visits’ from the First Team Manager Alex Revell.
Duncan has made remarkable progress with Stevenage FC, so much so, he has been appointed the Clubs Get Set Go Champion. As part of this role he, this week, presented Stevenage Captain Scott Cuthbert with his PFA Community Player of the Year Award for 2019/20.
The outdoor football sessions have now returned and Duncan is thriving by being able to engage with like-minded people who are in a similar position to him and continue to play the sport that he loves.
Duncan concludes, “A massive thank you to everyone involved with Mind, Get Set to Go and Stevenage FC Foundation, you really have changed my life for the better.”
The power of football has always played a huge part in the life of Simon Ryecroft and has acted as a coping mechanism to deal with his depression and anxiety.
Simon, aged 40, is a regular participant at Tranmere Rovers in the Community’s Active Rovers Over 40s football sessions, and has benefited significantly, both mentally and physically, from participating in the weekly sessions at Prenton Park.
Speaking to raise awareness for World Mental Health Day 2020, Simon wanted to share his story of having a mental breakdown, and how Tranmere Rovers helped in his road to recovery.
“I hadn’t played football for a long time, but I saw on social media about the football sessions, but I went along to try, and I have never looked back. That is now over three years ago. Time has flown by. I had a breakdown and a depressive episode four years ago and I got diagnosed with PCSD, an anxiety disorder, depression and OCD.
“Mental health affects a lot of people and through my own experiences, I know a lot of men have troubles talking about it. “I was quite ill for a period of time, but I have always been quite open talking about my mental health. I realised it is something a lot of people have experienced but don’t always feel comfortable talking about it. “I was surprised how many lads I know and in football in particular, you wouldn’t have thought had any issues with mental health. I had a few conversations because I opened the subject with people and they shared their issues too. Gradually over the last few years, it is becoming a subject lads are finding it easier to talk about.
“We now see famous footballers and boxers talking about their experiences and making their mental health problems public. I think sharing helps.”
Simon, who has always had a keen interest in football since an early age, admitted he is not the only one who has used football as a way to cope.
He continued: “The football sessions at Tranmere have helped me deal with my anxiety. I know a lot of lads have said it is the only time they feel like they have not got problems is when they play football.
“The people at Tranmere Rovers Football Club are extremely friendly and the emphasis was having a good time. I have got my fitness back up and I have met some very positive people. “I was very low on motivation and depressed, I wasn’t doing much in my life general. Football has always been there in my life and by joining the sessions at Tranmere, it gave me confidence again. It has been massive for me. It has given me routine and something to look forward to each and every week. I feel happy and it has given me a buzz when I head home.
“It is difficult when you are in that place and depressed. It is not a nice place when you don’t have the motivation to go out and it is hard to make that first step. Once you have done the first step, you feel so much better. Tranmere Rovers is such a welcoming football club and when new lads turn up, the others make them feel right at home.”
As part of the EFL’s charity partnership with Mind over the past two seasons, the EFL has worked with the mental health charity to launch a campaign to mark World Mental Health Day, which takes place on 10th October each year, with this year focusing on the ‘Do one thing’ campaign.
The ‘Do one thing’ campaign may involve reaching out to a friend, taking part in physical exercise, meditating or listening to music in order to look after your own mental health and that of others.
Wanderers are also one of 32 clubs who are part of EFL Trust’s Tackling Loneliness Together Campaign. Recognising the massive affect that loneliness can have on mental health, particularly among older people, Bolton focused their ‘one thing’ on Loneliness.
Evatt visited supporters Anne and Marie in a garden gate visit. The sisters have held season tickets with the Wanderers for over 50 years and were surprised with the special visit of the Head Coach. Alongside a talk all things football and Bolton Wanderers, both were given an activity pack containing puzzles, sudoku and word searches. They also both received a signed copy of the Newport County programme.
A recent study from the Office National Statistics (ONS) showed that 2.6 million adults reported that they felt lonely ”often” or ”always” whilst 7.4 million adults reported their well-being had been affected as a result of them feeling lonely in the past seven days. The ‘Tackling Loneliness Together’ project is aimed at connecting more older people at risk of loneliness. The EFL Trust are proud to be receiving £810,000 from the Department of Digital Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) to support 32 EFL Club Community Organisations through the project in deprived locations. The grants will allow expanded activities across the country under the campaign ‘Let’s Tackle Loneliness Together’, include befriending phone calls, online social groups, a pen-pal scheme, social action from young people taking part in NCS and socially distanced ‘garden gate’ conversations to emerge across EFL communities and reach the people who need this vital support right when they need it the most.
For more information on how to get involved with ‘Do one thing’ on World Mental Health Day please visit here. For more information on the EFL and Mind’s charity partnership visit here.
Bradford train station has been lit up with a brand new mural designed by teens on Bradford City Community Foundation’s ‘Keep Doing Good’ programme.
A group of 19 teenagers have taken part in ‘Keep Doing Good’ which is part of the National Citizen Service’s (NCS) ‘One Million Hours of Doing Good’, a wider pledge to enable teens to take an active role in helping the country recover from the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.
With Bradford having the fastest growing youth population outside of London, the group wanted to do some good that would highlight them in a positive way. They wanted to leave behind a legacy for years to come and they have done just that with this project.
They decided on creating a mural which would showcase the diversity of culture within Bradford whilst celebrating the work of the key workers who have supported the community tirelessly throughout the pandemic.
The group split into smaller teams, each working together on a design. The teams then had to face a ‘Dragons Den’ style pitch to a panel made up of representatives from Northern Rail, Bradford Council and Network Rail. The panel were blown away by the quality of the mural designs, so much so they refused to choose a winner. Instead they set the teams a new challenge of merging the murals together.
The teams then worked hard to merge the designs and decided to call the mural ‘We are Bradford’. Bradford City Community Foundation have been working in partnership with Northern rail since 2016 and so they have agreed to display this mural in Bradford train station to give a more positive feel to the station.
A young person from the team said:
“It’s really nice to see the work we did on week 1 come together… I can’t believe our design is going to be all over Bradford in different stations.”
Lizzie Saunders, NCS manager at Bradford City Foundation said:
“I am so proud of the work the young people have completed over two short weeks.
COVID-19 has brought so much uncertainty and disruption to the community, but the young people allowed this to motivate and inspire them to take part in real change in their community, and have truly demonstrated that they are an asset that should be celebrated in the district. I really hope the mural brings a smile to thousands of individuals who will see it every day, and encourage them to be proud of the diverse and wonderful community of Bradford”.
This was echoed by Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Healthy People and Places Portfolio Holder, who said:
“This brilliant work by local young people is very positive response to these incredibly challenging times. I applaud their energy, enthusiasm and creativity in creating this fantastic artwork which will no doubt lift people’s spirits.”
This Summer on NCS’ ‘Keep Doing Good’, young people from Yorkshire and The Humber have contributed nearly 20,000 volunteering hours to help tackle the challenges communities have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. To find out more about NCS ‘Keep Doing Good’ visit wearencs.com.
The Huddersfield Town Foundation is delighted to announce the distribution of over £13,600 to eight Kirklees community groups!
To date the Foundation has raised £21,929.68 from March 2020’s Big Sleep Out (BSO) event, with donations still being received in person and via the post.
The remaining £8,279.89 is set to be donated to other organisations once they are able to resume operations later in the year.
Returning for the its third instalment on Friday 6 March 2020, the BSO saw more than 130 Huddersfield Town supporters brave the cold to spend the night at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Participants were encouraged to fundraise as much as possible in the build-up before bedding down in the Chadwick Lawrence Stand on the night.
Following the event, the Town Foundation invited applications from Kirklees charities who work with people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, as well as groups who support people with financial issues or are of ill health.
After assessment from its Board of Trustees, the Foundation has now allocated money to the following groups:
One Big Family are a homeless charity working predominantly in Huddersfield, whose volunteers will be found out on the streets at night offering vital supplies and support.
Through the BSO fund, the Town Foundation has purchased and donated 100 meal vouchers at £3.50 each to be used at Huddersfield Mission’s Evening Café.
£2,160 has been given to Basement Recovery Project, who deliver bespoke recovery advice to people struggling with drug and/or alcohol addictions. The money will be used to purchase furniture for their new supported accommodation unit.
Another beneficiary of the BSO fund will be the Hirsche Foundation, who stress that the homeless aren’t just people sleeping rough – it also includes people sofa surfing, fleeing domestic abuse or living in unreasonable conditions.
They have been awarded £2,500 to continue work on the Bus Shelter Project, which will turn a disused bus into a safe place for people in need to stay.
Dewsbury Community Outreach have also been successful in their application for funding and have been awarded a total of £1,500.
The Charity, whose volunteers are based at the refuge building next to Elim Church in Dewsbury, will use the money to purchase food for use in their community kitchen.
Another deserving recipient of funding are the Destitute Asylum Seekers Huddersfield (DASH), who support Refugees and Asylum Seekers in areas such as Housing, Health, Education and Finance.
Their £1,430 grant will be used to purchase mobile phone top up cards, enabling service users to stay in touch with their support coordinators.
In addition, Platform 1, a men’s health and crisis charity based in the centre of Huddersfield, have been awarded £2,000.
They will use the grant to facilitate extra pastoral care for their clients, including those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
The final two recipients from this initial round of donations will be two organisations who have worked in partnership with the Town Foundation throughout the 2019/20 season – Batley Food Bank and the Welcome Centre Huddersfield.
Batley Food Bank have been awarded £1,710 to continue the assembly of emergency packs for people who have been referred to their service.
The Welcome Centre will use their sum of £2,000 for their furniture project, which looks to source items of furniture for people in need.
As well as those eight initial donations, the Town Foundation will provide significant funds to The Huddersfield Mission and Batley Care & Drop In once they are able to restart their operations following COVID-19.
On the confirmation of the initial beneficiaries, Town Foundation Fundraising Executive Lisa Bottomley said:
“We are delighted to be able to announce the first round of beneficiaries from this year’s Big Sleep Out.
The event is always one of the biggest on our calendar with so much planning and thought put into it, so to see so many people turn up and such a substantial amount of money raised was a wonderful feeling.”
Foundation CEO Siobhan Atkinson added:
“It’s great to once again support a range of homelessness focused organisations across Kirklees. This year we have been able to support more projects than ever before, and we are proud to play a small part in helping them grow.
The Town Foundation remains committed to tackling the issue head on and with many charities being unable to fundraise this year, we are aiming for an even bigger and better BSO 4 in March 2021!”
After three successful years, the Town Foundation intends to hold Big Sleep Out 4 in March 2021 at the John Smith’s Stadium. Keep an eye on htafcfoundation.com for more information in due course!
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