JOB VACANCY: Governance and Contracts Officer

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Post title: Governance and Contracts Officer

Role status: Full time 35 Hours per week – to be worked 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Organisational base: EFL House, 10 – 12 West Cliff, Preston PR1 8HU

Special requirements of the role: Some travel and evening work may be required from time to time.

Reporting to: Head of Governance.

Salary: £21,000 to £27,000

Formed in 1888 by its twelve founder members, the English Football League is the world’s original league football competition and is the template for leagues the world over. With 72 member clubs, it is also the largest single body of professional clubs in European football and is responsible for administering and regulating the Sky Bet EFL, Carabao Cup and Checkatrade Trophy, as well as reserve and youth football.

EFL Trust is the charitable arm of the EFL and oversees the inspiring work of the 72 EFL clubs’ community organisations (CCOs), which engages with more than 1.5million people every season. The key themes of the EFL Trust are Sport, Education, Health and Community Engagement.

The EFL Trust business team is looking for a bright and articulate commercial law, governance or business graduate who can support EFL Trust with contract administration and coordinate the governance activities of the 72 CCOs and its own governance practices. The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal and team work skills with the ability to clearly and effectively communicate with colleagues, professional services and external partners. An understanding of governance and contract terms are required, either through practical or theoretical experience.

The successful candidate will be a member of an effective and supportive team in an organisation which is ambitious for growth and development.

The role is based in modern, purpose built offices with private parking in the Centre of Preston. The office is 5 minute walk from the Preston Rail Station.

Reward package:
• Generous Company Pension Scheme. EFL Trust will contribute 10% of monthly salary to a company pension scheme.
• Opt-in private healthcare.
• 23 days holiday (plus 8 bank holidays), rising to 25 days after 5 years. Holiday year commences 1st January. Holiday purchase scheme in operation.

Immediate start available.

To apply please request an Application Form from Jessica Dexter, HR & Payroll Officer at [email protected].

Closing Date: 10am Monday 29th October 2018
Interview Date(s): 6th November 2018 (candidates must be available for interview on this date)
Interview Location: EFL House, 10 – 12 West Cliff, Preston, PR1 8HU

‘It was a dream come true for the participants to play alongside their idols.’

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Brewers winger David Templeton and young goalkeeper Jack Livesey were out in the local community this week, showing their support for a Powerchair Football session ran in partnership with Burton Albion Community Trust.

Powerchair football is a unique sport that provides opportunities for people with a high level of impairment to access the game of football. It is the only active team participation sport for people who use electric wheelchairs.

The Scottish duo joined in with the St George’s Knights Burton Albion Chariots training session, who currently play in the open aged West Midlands Powerchair Premiership Regional League.

During their visit, they got the chance to experience what it was like to play football in a powerchair, whilst also learning more information about the rules of the session and the conditions that the participants live with.

The side, who train on Wednesday evenings from 6pm-7pm at the Meadowside Leisure Centre, is ran by volunteers from the Staffordshire area, working in partnership with coaches from Burton Albion Community Trust.

Their most recent result was an impressive 5-1 victory over Manchester United’s PFC team, last Sunday afternoon.

Adam Lawrence, Community Coach at BACT, said: “It was such a fantastic experience for everyone involved. Both the players showed a great amount of interest in the session and got really involved.

“We’ve got a couple of really big Burton fans who attend the session and it was a dream come true for them to get to play the sport that they love, alongside their idols that they watch week in, week out.

“Even those who aren’t from the area and travel in from as far as Newcastle-Under-Lyme, are starting to show a real interest in the club now, so appearances like this are invaluable to what we are trying to do as a whole.”

For more information on the sessions, which includes development training for beginners, please call the St George’s Knights Chairman, Jason Christer on: 07805944462.

JOB VACANCY: Health Officer at Blackpool FC Community Trust

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Would you like the opportunity to work for a thriving charity, based in Blackpool supporting children aged 1 -4 years and their families?

Blackpool FC Community Trust is a close knit team that employs more than 60 local people to support the local community to improve their lives through physical activity, health and wellbeing, education and employability programmes.

In the 2017-2018 season, the Community Trust worked with 20,329 different people across the town, whilst delivering 9503 sessions.

This fantastic opportunity will deliver a range of opportunities to support early ages to increase their involvement in regular physical activity, whilst supporting the full family with positive health messages.

The post holder will work closely with Blackpool Better Start, to work in the seven most needed areas in the town to support, enthuse and inspire the local families to engage in positive, regular health related workshops and activities.

To find out more about the role visit: http://www.blackpoolfccommunitytrust.co.uk/get-involved/vacancies/

‘Being involved at Swindon Town Football in the Community has been pivotal in my recovery from mental health problems.’

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Injury is one of the most difficult things a professional footballer is likely to endure in their career and anxiety can arise from concerns that the injury heralds the decline or even the end of a life-long dream. 

A career ending challenge is all that it takes.

Stephen Holmes, Lead Coach at Swindon Town Football in the Community had to suffer that very heartache.

In 1987, as a teenager from London, Stephen had achieved his life-long dream after signing a two-year contract at Blackburn Rovers. He played in the club’s youth and reserve team before moving on to Enfield, Marlow and Whitney Town.

In 1994, at the age of 24, an event that lasted just a few seconds on a football pitch, changed his life.  A badly mistimed two footed tackle that broke Stephen’s leg put an end to his promising football career.

He said: “To put it into words, it was pure devastation. “For a year and a half I tried but there was no way back. My mind was still sharp, but physically I just couldn’t keep up.”

Unable to play the sport that was undeniably his life, he became mentally ill and was later diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1999.

He added: “I was very depressed and admitted to a psychiatric hospital twice. “I think, I believe and I know what happened to me as a player had a detrimental impact on my mental health.”

When Stephen started helping out at Swindon Town Football in the Community, his life took a turn for the better.

“It was a pivotal point in my life when Clive Maguire and Jon Holloway employed me as a volunteer coach at Swindon Town Football in the Community. They employed me in 1997 when I was very unwell and the fact they did that despite what I was going through reduces any stigma or discrimination.

“A lot of people if they didn’t understand mental health would run away from it or brush it under the carpet but Clive and Jon were very empathetic towards my situation.”

In 2001, Stephen made a full recovery and in 2016 became a Lead Coach on Swindon Town Football in the Community’s Mental Health programme.

Last month his hard work and dedication to the programme was recognised as he was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM).

Speaking about his BEM, Stephen said: “I’m very humble and grateful to receive the award. I have no idea who nominated me but I want to thank them so much for believing in me. It’s incredibly fulfilling to help others and being a part of something special and unique where there is acceptance and understanding.”

The Mental Health programme which was established in 2016 through funding from Wembley National Stadium Trust (WNST) and EFL Trust, promotes positivity and well-being for participants.

Clive Maguire, Senior Football Development Officer at STFITC said: “The Mental Health sessions have enabled people to have a sense of belonging which has also created an infrastructure of support and friendships amongst players.

“We started with 4 participants back in 2016 and now currently have 43 participants on the register.

“Stephen has been pivotal to the success of the initiative thus far. He is not only the Coach but the support and compassion he offers the individual participants goes way beyond the call of duty.

“He is an absolute inspiration and an amazing example of someone who has overcome huge barriers in his life and gone on to help others who have daily issues and problems.”

Mind

Mind are the official charity partner of EFL. With over 21 million fans attending EFL matches each season (and 55 million watching on TV), this partnership is a brilliant opportunity for us to promote awareness and understanding of mental health amongst football fans, and to help more people living with mental health problems access the support they need.

Together we are harnessing the power of football to raise awareness of mental health, improve the approach to mental health in sport and raise funds to deliver life changing national and local support.

www.Mind.org.uk/OnYourSide

Text FOOTBALL to 70660 to donate £3 to Mind, and help make sure no one has to face a mental health problem alone.

Bristol Rovers’ ‘Recovery Through Sport’ making an impact

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Bristol Rovers’ ‘Recovery Through Sport’ is an innovative programme that aims to harness the power of sport to improve people’s physical and mental wellbeing.

It is open to any adults whether they want to get some exercise, build social networks, gain confidence in being around people or just help improve their general wellbeing.

One participant on the programme said: “Before joining the group I struggled getting out of the house and especially meeting people, but now I feel confident to talk to new people and socialise with others.

“As well as going to the weekly group, we also gained the opportunity to watch a Bristol Rovers match and walk out on the pitch in front of the crowd which was a brilliant experience.

“I’ve found that going to the football group and then standing in front of the Bristol Rovers fans has really helped build my self-confidence as well as improving my physical and mental wellbeing.”

Watch the video below to find out more:

Mind

Mind are the official charity partner of EFL. With over 21 million fans attending EFL matches each season (and 55 million watching on TV), this partnership is a brilliant opportunity for us to promote awareness and understanding of mental health amongst football fans, and to help more people living with mental health problems access the support they need.

Together we are harnessing the power of football to raise awareness of mental health, improve the approach to mental health in sport and raise funds to deliver life changing national and local support.

www.Mind.org.uk/OnYourSide

Text FOOTBALL to 70660 to donate £3 to Mind, and help make sure no one has to face a mental health problem alone.

Jay’s story: ‘I can’t thank Brentford FC Community Sports Trust enough for the support and career pathway they have given me.’

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Jay Reza, Finance Officer for Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, believes the support he has received from the Bees has been crucial in helping him to overcome depression.

After finishing College at 18 and due to his interest in football, Jay decided to do an apprenticeship with the Trust, with his preference being to gain real life work experience while studying.

It would be a move that would prove life-changing for the 22-year-old.

He said:

“It was fantastic doing the apprenticeship as it gave me the opportunity to specialise in my dream job in finance while also dipping my toes into other areas such as media and marketing.

Through training provided by the Trust, he became a qualified AAT Accountant and was offered a full-time position as Finance Officer.

From day one the staff at Brentford have given me the freedom to express myself and a platform to move up the career ladder.

“This is my first full-time job and I’m really enjoying it, particularly the fundraising part and helping young people to work within a safe and comfortable environment.”

Despite his stellar achievements, it hasn’t always been a smooth journey for Jay having suffered with depression. Discussing his experience of the illness, he said:

“Depression was nothing to do with my job, it was something that just happened at the time. I didn’t really understand what was going on. It was just a sinking feeling where I felt trapped and as if I was going in a downward spiral.”

According to Mind, the EFL’s new official charity partner, approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year, with Jay describing the support offered to him by Brentford FC Community Sports Trust as vital in helping him to get back on his feet.

“My line manager Jacky noticed that I seemed different to my usual self and spoke to me about it, she encouraged me to see a doctor. The staff were really understanding and gave me time to go to therapy regularly as well as managing the pressure on me during busier times at work.

“I’ll forever be grateful for the support they have given me. It helped me to understand what was going on and believe that it really does get better.”

Looking to the future, Jay hopes to develop his career with the Trust even further.

“I am hoping to get my Chartered Accountant qualification next, which would help to put me on the highest position I can be in accountancy. “I always try and look towards the next goal. Brentford FC Community Sports Trust have been absolutely fantastic in supporting that.”

Mind

Mind are the official charity partner of EFL. With over 21 million fans attending EFL matches each season (and 55 million watching on TV), this partnership is a brilliant opportunity for us to promote awareness and understanding of mental health amongst football fans, and to help more people living with mental health problems access the support they need.

Together we are harnessing the power of football to raise awareness of mental health, improve the approach to mental health in sport and raise funds to deliver life changing national and local support.

www.Mind.org.uk/OnYourSide

Text FOOTBALL to 70660 to donate £3 to Mind, and help make sure no one has to face a mental health problem alone.

Notts County’s On The Ball and Right Mind projects improving the mental health of 100’s of people

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Notts County are proving that Football Clubs can have a positive impact on the mental health of their communities with more than one project focused on an individual’s wellbeing. 

County’s two mental health projects ‘On The Ball’ and ‘Right Mind’ have successfully improved the mental health of 100’s of people across the county of Nottingham.

These projects provide a unique service in a non-clinical environment, and reach out to members of the public who may be put off from seeking assistance from more formal and assessment-based service.

On The Ball

“On The Ball gives me the motivation to get up and go which the medication takes away”.  Dan has been a participant on On the Ball for over 5 years. See how the long standing project has helped him with his mental health journey. 

On the Ball works with men over the age of 18 who suffer from a variety of mental health issues.

Using football as a way to engage participants, Notts County deliver mental health promotion messages, helping people understand their feelings and help them communicate.  The project uses current, high-profile football examples in a half-time team talk to encourage participants to open up about topics around stress, anger management, communication, depression and anxiety, amongst others.

The project has been extremely successful, attracting large numbers of hard-to-reach participants, securing funding from high-profile charitable trusts and retaining participants who have a strong affiliation to the project.

Right Mind

Helen describes the Right Mind project as “life saving” after living with depression and ADHD. She talks about her experience here.

Right Mind is a women’s mental health and wellbeing programme which is perfect for women who want to improve their mental health, boost their energy levels and meet new people.

This is a free physical activity and social session. It is delivered in a fun and comfortable environment. The sessions vary depending on what the group wants to do from week to week.

To find out more visit: https://nottscountyfitc.org.uk/

Mind

Mind are the official charity partner of EFL. With over 21 million fans attending EFL matches each season (and 55 million watching on TV), this partnership is a brilliant opportunity for us to promote awareness and understanding of mental health amongst football fans, and to help more people living with mental health problems access the support they need.

Together we are harnessing the power of football to raise awareness of mental health, improve the approach to mental health in sport and raise funds to deliver life changing national and local support.

www.Mind.org.uk/OnYourSide

Text FOOTBALL to 70660 to donate £3 to Mind, and help make sure no one has to face a mental health problem alone.

Wigan Athletic Community Trust supporting the health and wellbeing of veterans thanks to Football 4 Forces programme

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Wigan has one of the largest groups of ex-service people living in the North West and Wigan Athletic are a proud supporter of this community, however many veterans can face a range of challenges readjusting to civilian life, including depression, poor health and unemployment.

Taking place every Monday night from 5.30pm-7pm at Robin Park Arena, Wigan Athletic Community Trust’s Football 4 Forces programme provides free football activities for some of these veterans, and aims to improve their health and wellbeing, as well as helping them to feel less socially isolated.

Football 4 Forces participants also have the opportunity to complete coaching qualifications and become volunteers for the Community Trust, while lifestyle workshops are held to raise awareness of subjects such as diet, nutrition, healthy eating and the dangers of drug and alcohol.

Colin Carruthers and Jeff Derbyshire are two veterans that both testify to the difference the programme has made to their lives.

“I’ve been taking part in Football 4 Forces for over 12 months and I’ve had some of the best times of my life,” said Jeff, 49, who left the Army in 1992 after eight years’ service. “It’s given me the opportunity to meet new people who obviously have a similar background to myself and it’s been great mixing and just interacting with them.

“The scheme is a way of keeping fit, but the big thing for me is meeting the other lads because so many of them have done some amazing things during their lives and have great stories to share.”

Wigan Athletic Community Trust at the Football 4 Forces session at The Youth Zone in Wigan.

Since leaving the Army, Jeff has faced a number of challenges, including being homeless for a short while and struggling with alcohol problems, but his involvement with Football 4 Forces is now helping him to improve his health.

“I’ve stopped smoking because of this programme and have taken part in the Wigan 10k too, so the health benefits have been incredible for me. The run was something I didn’t think I could do so I was proud of myself for completing that.

“I’ve got a lot fitter and a lot healthier and my life is much more positive now. I’m feeling younger and fresher and I have so much to thank Wigan Athletic Community Trust for.”

Colin, 39, joined the military as an 18-year-old in 1997, but his period of service ended prematurely due to an accident. When he returned to Wigan he was looking for something to get involved in when he heard about Football 4 Forces.

“I came back to Wigan and saw Football 4 Forces advertised so went along to a session to see what it was all about. I’ve got to be honest and say I was blown away by it all and just how good it was, so I’ve been going ever since and haven’t really looked back.

“I often get asked what the best thing about it is, and for me the answer is I feel part of a community, and that’s massive. I can’t recommend this programme enough.”

Since joining the project Colin has gained his FA Level 1 and 2 coaching qualifications and is now working towards his Level 3.

“The sessions aren’t all about football though because they also highlight subjects such as nutrition and drug and alcohol awareness. That’s a big thing because a lot of veterans do come out and go down slippery paths, but this programme steers you into not doing anything silly.”

One of the main appeals for Football 4 Forces participants is working with a professional football club – something Colin is particularly keen on.

“I’m a Wigan Athletic fan myself so I love representing my club. To wear the Latics badge and play for the club in a veterans programme is a boyhood dream for me. Football 4 Forces really has been the best thing that’s happened to me since I left the military.”

Please email [email protected] or call 01942 318090 for more information about Football 4 Forces.

Mind

Mind are the official charity partner of EFL. With over 21 million fans attending EFL matches each season (and 55 million watching on TV), this partnership is a brilliant opportunity for us to promote awareness and understanding of mental health amongst football fans, and to help more people living with mental health problems access the support they need.

Together we are harnessing the power of football to raise awareness of mental health, improve the approach to mental health in sport and raise funds to deliver life changing national and local support.

www.Mind.org.uk/OnYourSide

Text FOOTBALL to 70660 to donate £3 to Mind, and help make sure no one has to face a mental health problem alone.

Benjamin’s Story: Building Confidence Through Football

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Benjamin has gone from the boy without the confidence to talk to anyone, to the man coaching the sessions in less than a year thanks to Aston Villa’s ‘Think Football’ project.

Benjamin joined Think Football, which is Villa’s mental health and wellbeing football project, in 2017. Ben has mild learning difficulties and suffers with psychosis, which effects his mental health causing a range of symptoms including anxiety and depression.

Ben lives in supported housing and often relies on a support worker for everyday situations. Prior to joining Think Football, he was very introverted, not comfortable in social situations and rarely involved in external activities.

Ben’s support worker suggested that the Think Football sessions would work for Ben as they offer support for a wide range of mental health issues.  His support worker accompanied Ben at the beginning and he soon became a regular weekly attendee.

When Ben first started the sessions, he was extremely quiet and would not make eye contact with anyone he did not know. Gradually as the sessions progressed he was able to come in and say hello to all the staff and hold a conversation with eye contact.

Ian Robinson, Aston Villa Foundation Coach who has known Ben from day 1 commented: “When Ben started he was very quiet and shy but since taking part in Think Football he has become more confident and outgoing”.

During the programme, Ben not only started to develop his football skills but also improved his communication and social skills.

A few months after first attending, Ben had begun to make friends through the programme, and was invited with some of the other members of the sessions to go to the cinema.  His support worker said it was a massive step forward and made him feel accepted within a group.

Over the last few months he has started attending the sessions on his own, making his own way from home to the sessions and back again. When the coaches asked for anyone who wanted to step up and support by taking a warm up, Ben surprised everyone by volunteering to have a go.

In April this year, Villa offered participants the chance to complete a fully funded FA Level 1 as part of the programme. Ben immediately volunteered and due to his commitment and the personal journey was selected to complete the course. Due to his learning difficulties Villa provided some extra support to complete the online part of the course.

Thanks to a lot of hard work he completed his FA Level 1. He said: ‘The Level 1 has helped me to design fun and engaging football sessions so that I can assist at Think Football. It has made me feel more organised and confident to do more things.”

Ben has shown himself to be a good level 1 coach, and is now supporting Villa’s Think Football sessions. With mentoring support from our coaches, he will go on to develop further and would like to complete his FA Level 2.

Mind

Mind are the official charity partner of EFL. With over 21 million fans attending EFL matches each season (and 55 million watching on TV), this partnership is a brilliant opportunity for us to promote awareness and understanding of mental health amongst football fans, and to help more people living with mental health problems access the support they need.

Together we are harnessing the power of football to raise awareness of mental health, improve the approach to mental health in sport and raise funds to deliver life changing national and local support.

www.Mind.org.uk/OnYourSide

Text FOOTBALL to 70660 to donate £3 to Mind, and help make sure no one has to face a mental health problem alone.

Cambridge United’s ‘Mind Your Head’ project creates significant results in Mental Health literacy in schools

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Earlier this year, Cambridge United Community Trust (CUCT) established a secondary school mental health project to improve wellbeing and help young people deal better with stress and anxiety and this week, an evaluation of the project, conducted by Leeds Beckett University, reveals statistically significant improvements in mental health literacy are made as a result of the programme, across all genders and ethnicities.

The greatest improvements were seen across questions including increasing understanding of dealing with stress, the causes of poor mental health and recognising the signs of poor mental health.

The ‘Mind Your Head’ pilot has been running since January 2018 in six central Cambridge secondary schools and reached over 500 young people by the end of the school summer term.

The project is part of Cambridge United’s wider commitment to promoting positive mental health at the club and in the community.

‘Mind Your Head’ is delivered through CUCT in partnership with Cambridge youth mental health charity ‘Centre 33’. The programme provides lessons that destigmatize mental health, educate young people about how to deal with stress and also encourage young people to discuss how social media can both positively and negatively affect their wellbeing.

Report author Professor Jonathan Glazzard said: “Mind Your Head is a great example of the education sector working with a Football Club in their community to improve an issue of vital importance.

“Many people are still reluctant to talk about their mental health, so it’s empowering when footballers talk publically about their issues, such as stress and looking after their own mental health.

“They tend to have experienced their own mental health issues: athletes have a perfectionist trait that provides them with the motivation to succeed, but also has drawbacks in terms of the associated pressures.

“The work being undertaken in Cambridge has shown significant improvements in mental health literacy among the pupils involved. This sort of initiative, carried out on a national scale, could only help improve knowledge and understanding of mental health among school children.”

Josh Turner, one of the pupils who took part from Trumpington Community College said: “Footballers coming in to tell us about mental health is actually quite profound because they are people that young people look up to as their idols.

“The footballers telling us that they sometimes struggle with their mental health is good to listen to and good for our own understanding.”

Sam Squire, a Cambridge United scholar who has been actively involved at schools said: “It’s important for Cambridge United to focus on mental health in schools as that’s when issues such as social media can challenge a young person’s confidence and resilience.

“As a football club we can hopefully use our respected position in society to help promote positive mental health.”

Information from Leeds Beckett University and the full evaluation can be read here: http://d269m6jxkto3yp.cloudfront.net/assets/files/1230/mind_your_head_evaluation_report.pdf

Mind

Mind are the official charity partner of EFL. With over 21 million fans attending EFL matches each season (and 55 million watching on TV), this partnership is a brilliant opportunity for us to promote awareness and understanding of mental health amongst football fans, and to help more people living with mental health problems access the support they need.

Together we are harnessing the power of football to raise awareness of mental health, improve the approach to mental health in sport and raise funds to deliver life changing national and local support.

www.Mind.org.uk/OnYourSide

Text FOOTBALL to 70660 to donate £3 to Mind, and help make sure no one has to face a mental health problem alone.