Blackburn Rovers Community Trust helping dads open up about grief

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Everybody experiences grief, and while it might affect people in different ways, many can find it helps to share experiences with others.

That’s exactly what Alex, who has been attending a new bereavement programme launched by Blackburn Rovers Community Trust, thinks.

Blackburn Rovers Dads FC promote football sessions that provide a supportive and stable environment for bereaved dads to socialise, engage in physical activity, and celebrate their children.

“It is important for us to all talk and there has not really been a group for men [until now],” Alex explained. “Typically, men don’t talk or speak up. No one really expects this is going to happen to them, it is a situation we don’t want to be in.”

The sessions take place every Friday night in the Blackburn Rovers Indoor Centre from 8 – 9 pm and recognise the emotional challenges faced by fathers who have experienced the loss of a child.

“Getting together as a group to share our similar experiences and troubles really helps with our headspace on our journey,” Alex continued.

“It can help you through the next week. We are all at different stages. I experienced loss earlier this year but from some, it has been ten or more years, and they have only just spoken to people about it.”

This week marks National Grief Awareness week with the chosen theme ‘Shine a Light’ highlighting people, places and projects across the UK like this.

Participants get to take part in sessions run by qualified coaches and representatives from Maggie’s Still Birth Legacy and Friends of Serenity – who helped set up the programme – are also in attendance to offer their guidance and support.

Joanne, from Friends of Serenity, said: “There is a lot of support available for women and children there is a very limited options available for dads.

“We have been talking for quite a while about the idea of a dad’s football team. It is really good for wellbeing and it is a way of talking without pressure whilst having fun.”

Fahima Iqbal, Head of Health and Wellbeing at Blackburn Rovers Community Trust, added: “Working together and using the power of football, we believe we can make a positive difference on many people’s lives and we want them to know, we are here to help!”

All ages and abilities are welcome and the session is free of charge.

EFL in the Community highlight the power of football to engage those seeking education, employment or training opportunities.

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We were delighted to attend the Employment Related Services Association (ERSA) Conference, attended by the Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions, Alison McGovern, to highlight the power of football to engage those seeking education, employment or training. We were among 300 delegates and joined by representatives from Millwall Community Trust, Foundation of Light and Arsenal Foundation to discuss their vital role in communities.

Club Community Organisations (CCOs) work diligently to break down barriers, offering positive and inspiring environments that focus on skill development and employability. Through programs like “Training Ground” EFL Club Community Organisations provide tailored support to young people and adults who are not in education or employment. Importantly, participants gain valuable work experience both within the football club and with local businesses, opening doors to new career paths.

£129 million in social value was generated in 23/24 alone, through improvements in participants’ earnings and cost savings from better educational, training, and employment outcomes. This includes £24 million in savings from reduced numbers of young people not in education, training, or employment.

Not Holding Back at Norwich City Community Sports Foundation: James’ Story

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Growing up with a cochlear implant to assist with his hearing, which he continues to use, James joined Norwich Community Sports Foundation’s disability football programme at the age of 10 after his family discovered the Foundation’s hearing impairment football sessions that take place on a Friday evening at Carrow Park. 

The Foundation provides an inclusive environment in a variety of provisions to ensure their local community can access support for physical, mental and social wellbeing.

After embarking on the Foundation’s Football and Education Programme, James then took the next step, successfully applying for an apprenticeship at the Foundation. And he has now gone full circle, helping to coach the next generation of disability football participants.  

Disability and Inclusion Manager, Darren Hunter, said: “James is proving that having a disability shouldn’t hold you back in anything that you do and he’s testament to that. He’s a great role model for anybody that wants to come and be a coach, test themselves and push themselves further.” 

Norwich City is one of many Clubs in the English Football League (EFL) who run pivotal programmes, and in 2023/24 1.10m people engaged with community programmes delivered by EFL Clubs and Club charities, of which, 10% had a disability. Last season alone,  football training sessions for adults, children and young people with disabilities engaged 9,397 participants.

 

JOBI MCANUFF AND RACHEL BROWN-FINNIS ANNOUNCED AS EFL COMMUNITY AMBASSADORS DURING THE WEEK OF ACTION

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Former professional footballers turned pundits, Jobi McAnuff and Rachel Brown-Finnis, will represent the EFL as Community Ambassadors for the 2024/25 season, helping to showcase the work of Clubs in their communities.

EFL Clubs make a real difference to their local communities and surrounding areas – both on and off the pitch 365 days a year – positively impacting people and wider society, with community efforts changing lives for the better in areas such as physical and mental wellbeing, education, social connection and community cohesion.

Jobi McAnuff is no stranger to the EFL, having made over 750 career appearances, playing across the top five tiers of English football for the likes of Crystal Palace, Reading and Leyton Orient. The former midfielder, who also made over 30 international appearances for Jamaica, ended his career in a player-manager role for Leyton Orient at the end of the 2020/21 season and currently has a prominent role in the media as a pundit.

In 2023/24 alone, EFL players made almost 21,000 appearances at Club and CCO events, an average of 292 appearances per Club.

Former goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis played for England on more than 80 occasions in her career, and at club level played for WSL sides Liverpool and Everton – as well as being part of the​ London 2012 Olympics Team GB squad. Since her retirement from the game, Brown-Finnis has moved into broadcasting as both a pundit and a co-commentator, also working regularly for the FA as a Lioness Legend.

This week the EFL is showcasing its annual Week of Action from 18 – 22 November, celebrating the collective impact of Club community work across the League.

While Managers and First Team players actively support their Club’s community activities all year round, the Week of Action sees them collectively come together in 72 towns and cities across England and Wales over the five-day period, meeting participants and engaging in some of the most innovative projects that are improving the quality of people’s lives.

 

Jobi McAnuff, EFL Community Ambassador said: “Football is a universal language and is something that brings a lot of people together, and as both a player and a manager in the EFL I have witnessed first-hand just how important Clubs are as a focal point of their local communities and key pillars in community life.

“I’m used to talking about matters on the pitch in my role as a pundit but I’m really looking forward to also highlighting the important work Clubs do off the pitch to help tackle some of society’s biggest challenges.”

Rachel Brown-Finnis, EFL Community Ambassador said: “The work of a Football Club transcends far beyond the pitch, as Clubs continually react and respond to whatever challenges crop up in the current climate.

“Clubs provide a safe place where people of all ages and background feel comfortable, and in times of adversity, football’s response and individual club’s response is always ‘how can we help our people?’ I’ve witnessed first-hand the impact EFL clubs can have in positively changing people’s lives and I’m looking forward to playing a small part in telling the story to a wider audience.”

 

Sian and Dave’s Journey to Health and Happiness through FIT BLUEBIRDS

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In January 2024, husband and wife Sian and Dave joined the Llanrumney cohort of our FIT BLUEBIRDS programme. It was their daughter Claire, who had previously completed the FIT FANS initiative, that encouraged them to join, believing they would enjoy and benefit from it. Looking for something to reignite their energy, they signed up together, hoping it would give them a renewed sense of purpose.

Both Sian and Dave found themselves stuck in a routine that left little room for healthy habits. With busy schedules as grandparents, they often neglected their own wellbeing, making poor food choices and feeling unmotivated to exercise. They needed a new approach, something that would put a spring in their step and help them feel more energetic.

Dave lost 7kg and Sian lost 4kg, but more importantly, they made lasting changes in their lives. They started making healthier food choices, like swapping chips for boiled potatoes or salads, and incorporating protein-rich snacks into their diets. These small, achievable adjustments not only improved their nutrition but also felt sustainable in the long term.

Since completing the programme, Sian and Dave have remained committed to daily walks, regularly monitoring their weight and blood pressure, and continue attending weekly circuit sessions led by FIT BLUEBIRDS Coach Matt. These sessions offer ongoing support to past participants, helping them stay fit and healthy, beyond the 12-week programme.

Dave even joined the walking football session, and cycling has become a regular part of his routine. Meanwhile, Sian has rejoined her weekly Tai Chi class. This newfound joy and vitality have also spread throughout their family, giving them a renewed energy as busy grandparents.

FIT BLUEBIRDS gave the couple more than just physical health improvements—it gave them the tools to maintain a balanced and happy lifestyle together, ensuring they stay fit and healthy for years to come.

This programme, part of the EFL in the Community’s FIT FANS initiative, has helped thousands of people like Sian and Dave achieve long-term improvements in weight loss, physical activity, diet, and overall wellbeing, making them healthier and happier for themselves and their loved ones.

To find out more about your nearest FIT FANS programme,  please contact your local Club using the list below.

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    Impossible Made Possible with Charlton Athletic Community Trust: Katy’s story

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    “At the beginning of 2020 I suffered an emotional trauma… not knowing how to deal with this grief I shut down, I stopped sleeping, eating, and drinking water. My mental health declined, I was diagnosed with psychosis and hospitalised for 5 weeks,”  says Katy, whose story is an example of how poor mental health can not only affect anybody at anytime, but with the right support the road to recovery is possible.

    Katy explains how her problems didn’t end even after she was able to leave hospital,

    “Leaving hospital, I walked away with shame due to social stigmas. – I was broken.  Thankfully, I was referred to a wonderful team of Early Intervention Programme (EIP) staff, and they put me in contact with Charlton Athletic Community Trust’s (CACT) mental health provision.”

    This is where things began to change for Katy, she comments,

    “Through attending amazing activities, I met fellow patients, experiencing similar symptoms and treatments. I pushed myself to try new things and faced the tough journey to get better. Because of the work of EIP and CACT, I regained my life balance and became a stronger person.”

    Katy is now living back in her hometown of Deal in Kent and is also back in employment. Katy continues to take part in many activities she first experienced on the project. Paddle boarding is her favourite, she recently purchased her own paddle board and is regularly found boarding off the coast of Deal.

    “I have done things that I would never have dreamt of, like confidently walking up to someone first, striking up a conversation, making friends. I have now been  discharged from mental health services and I am no longer on medication, I have completed a master’s degree, achieving a Distinction, which I still disbelieve. I think I can safely speak for myself and others when thanking the CACT team for all they have done for us”.

    Katy is a huge advocate for Charlton Athletic and speaks openly and honestly about her experiences and what helped her during a time of crisis for her and her family. Prior to discharge, Katy spent time supporting others who were at the start of their recovery journey. She reassured and supported them to engage in the project, always promoting herself as an example of success. She now volunteers on CACT’s Next steps residential programme. This project offers a residential and activity experience in Cornwall for people who are at an advanced stage of recovery from psychosis. Having attended herself in 2022, Katy is passionate about supporting other clients to attend by providing vital peer support throughout the week. She also doubles up as a minibus driver to help transport attendees to Cornwall.

    Carl Krauhaus , Head of Early Help & Prevention for Charlton Athletic Community Trust comments:

    “We are proud to have played a positive role in Katy’s successful recovery journey which was further highlighted when Katy co-hosted the CACT awards with Lord Michael Grade at House of Lords, in November 2023 and shared her story of challenge and recovery. She is hugely inspirational in her openness to discuss her challenges and recovery for the benefit of others.”

    Katy is an amazing example of successful recovery driven by herself and supported by CACT’s skilled mental health staff.

    Huddersfield Town’s wellbeing programme rescues Mihai

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    When Mihai Luchenciuc relocated to Yorkshire in his early teens from Romania to live with his older sister, leaving behind his parents and other family members, he began to battle with isolation and mental health challenges. 

    Mihai, aged 19, experienced symptoms of low mood and psychosis.  

    After initial treatment, and the care of the local NHS Psychosis Team, they wanted to engage Mihai in positive activity where he could feel safe and included. 

    Also due to the medication prescribed for his mental health, Mihai experienced weight gain, so it was hoped that by attending wellbeing football activity it would have holistic benefits for him. His care coordinator brought him to Huddersfield Town Foundation’s weekly Wellbeing Football and Heads Up sessions. 

    Gregory Russell, from the NHS Psychosis Team supported Mihai during his recovery. “My job is to work with Mihai to help him achieve his goals, and in doing so, attempt to coordinate and provide him with care,” Gregory said. “In our time working together, Mihai identified goals as starting to make friends, feeling like he fitted in in the local area, to lose weight and get back into education.  

    “Football is a huge stress deterrent for Mihai, the group has also made him feel like he belongs in the local area, given him something to attend each week and allowed us to work on his confidence in many ways.” 

    Mihai has developed new friendships and his mental health has improved, thanks to local NHS support and the variety of provisions on offer by Huddersfield Town Foundation, the Club’s official charity. The Foundation wanted to set up a session that specifically helped local members of the community with their mental health, and Heads Up was born in October 2023. 

    Oliver Cundill, Health Manager at Huddersfield Town Foundation said: “I feel his footballing ability is dramatically improving week by week. 

    “His engagement with the other participants on the session has been great, making key friendships that have benefited him away from the session He has enjoyed coming along to a session where he can confidentially share his struggles away from the sessions.” 

    Men in Sheds with Blackburn Rovers Community Trust “the best thing” Ross has done.

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    “Coming to Men in Sheds is the best thing I’ve ever done, and I’ve met a bunch of great people.”

    To mark World Mental Health Day 2024, Blackburn Rovers Community Trust’s Men in Sheds participant Ross has shared his story on how his Clubs chairity has supported him.

    In the past two months, Blackburn Rovers have helped more than 100 participants through various provisions focused on mental wellbeing.

    During this time, Men in Sheds has helped 25 different people, including Blackburn Rovers supporter Ross, who has been attending the sessions for more than five years.

    Men in Sheds is run in partnership with Blackburn 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 meet up on a weekly basis and have developed close friendships courtesy of the Men in Sheds programme.

    And Ross has since made new friends, gained confidence and attended group trips across the UK, including to Belfast.

    “I joined the Men in Sheds group to improve my mental health and see where it would take me,” admitted Ross.

    “It has really helped. The programme has helped me get my first ever job as a steward at Blackburn Rovers and build up my employability skills.

    “I have enrolled on other Community Trust programmes such as the Community Ambassadors programme and they have helped me enormously. My confidence has been restored by meeting new people and supporting others too.”

    Since joining Men in Sheds, Ross has reported a positive change in his mental wellbeing, and has now got a full time job at a warehouse in Blackburn.

    He continued: “We have done some great things together at Men in Sheds, including maintaining a garden as a group, as a team building exercise, and we have also gone on an annual trip to Belfast to meet a likeminded group in Northern Ireland.

    “It has had a really positive effect on my mental health, and I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for Men in Sheds.”

    Ilyas Patel, Blackburn Rovers Community Trust Inclusion Manager, added: “When Ross first came to Men in Sheds, within the first couple of weeks of Ross attending, we were launching the Community Ambassadors programme.

    “The Community Ambassadors was a free 12-week accredited programme that was open to anyone over the age of 16 who wanted the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and become more involved in local life through working with others on projects that improve their neighborhoods.

    “I thought it would be good for Ross to be part of that. At first, he wasn’t too sure, but I told him he could walk away any time, but he completed the full 12 week programme.

    “It was about confidence building and at that time he didn’t feel comfortable being around others. He was in a room with 30 others, but that is what built up his confidence, talking to others and doing group work.

    “Supporting people now is one of his greatest qualities, and his mum is really proud of him for what he has achieved.

    “We’ve got to a stage now where the guys will open up about their feelings and everyone checks in on each other, and that’s the beauty about this group.”

    Port Vale Foundation’s programmes have endless impact on Val and the Burslem community.

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    Valerie, or Valiant Val as she is more widely referred to has been a member of the Golden Valiants initiative delivered by Port Vale Foundation since 2021.

    The programme allows the community of Burslem to enjoy through fulfilment in physical, mental and social wellbeing to enjoy the process of getting older. It provides social activities and support for older fans that focuses on building camaraderie and connection among the participants.

    Val joined the group after her husband, Reg, had received support from another initiative run by the Foundation, Memory Lane which offers a supportive environment for individuals with dementia and their families, using football-themed activities to stimulate memories and encourage engagement.

    After her husband passed away, Val,81, has continued to attend the Memory Lane sessions offering her support, advice, and guidance to those who attend as she passes on her experiences.
    As well as this, Val is an influential member of the Golden Valiants where she has formed many blossoming friendships.

    Will Turner, Head of Community, said: “As a club and Foundation we are proud to be at the heart of our community.

    Val is a shining example of the impact football clubs can have off the pitch to help people when they need it most and truly use the impact of the badge for good.”

    Valient Val has praised the Foundation for its inclusive and support-based programmes which have provided significant help for her and her husband.

    Karen, Val’s daughter expresses that her family will be indebted to the Foundation after their remakable work with both Val and her husband.

    She explained:  “We as a family can’t thank the Port Vale Foundation enough for everything they have done in supporting our Mum, both as a carer for my Dad and coping with his loss.  Golden Valiants has made a very difficult time easier.

    Its so lovely watching her rebuild her life with a smile and finding new adventures.  Thank you just doesn’t seem enough.”

    Sadie Haynes, Community Project Coordinator at Port Vale Foundation, notes: “Val is a remarkable woman, known for her thoughtfulness and understanding towards those facing similar life challenges. The support she provides to others is immeasurable.”

    Leyton Orient Trust’s Community Space & Hub provides Novelett with a new lease of life.

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    Novelett has been attending her local Club, Leyton Orient’s Trust Community Space and Hub for a year after recommendation from a friend.

    The Hub and Community Space is a place for Waltham Forest’s resident community to come together and enjoy activities but also be signposted to help and advice if they need it.

    The Community Space and Hub enables people to make the most of their time. With friendships, support and being socially active at the forefront of the Hubs aims, they provide people with opportunities to build, improve and manage their physical, mental and social wellbeing.

    Novelett started getting sciatica and struggled to move, and after receiving physiotherapy she was told that she should increase her movement and exercise.

    However, having never been a football fan she had no idea that the English Football League (EFL) Club on her doorstop could provide her with this and more.

    She said: “I’d been trying to do different exercises at home, started to do aqua aerobics and tried to do some walking. I go to my local church, and one of my friends said there was a chair exercise class I should attend with her.”

    Having attended the class at Leyton Orient Trust, Novelett has not looked back.

    She explained: “I saw what they were doing, and I enjoyed it, so I started going for myself.”

    Not only has the Hub helped Novett with managing her sciatica through physical exercise but has also seen it become a pivotal part in Novelett’s social wellbeing with it being a place she can meet other local people otherwise she would self admittedly be sat at home isolated watching TV.

    Above all, she places emphasis on the Hubs ability to help everyone and connect the local community to various outreach projects or support services.

    She said: “The staff tell you about things available in the local area that you didn’t know about… they can help with things from phones to forms that you may need to fill in that’s what I like about it. Going there helps everyone with all different things.”