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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 honoured with Silver Status via MoD Award 

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EFL in the Community has been honoured with a prestigious award for its support to the Armed Forces community. 

The EFL’s charitable arm has achieved the Ministry of Defence Silver Award under the Employer Recognition Scheme, thanks to its ongoing support and work with veterans and the wider armed forces community. 

In 2023, the EFL and EFL in the Community signed the Armed Forces Covenant, pledging to support, and recognise the value, of serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families. 

The network of EFL Club Community Organisations carry out impactful work with the armed forces community throughout England and Wales. 

Debbie Cook, EFL’s Director of Community said: “We are proud to be recognised as an advocate of our Armed Forces community.  

“People who serve or have served in the armed forces and their families have to give up a great deal.  

“By using football to bring people together for the greater good, we will create and an environment where the armed forces community are treated fairly and equally, and make sure they are not disadvantaged because of their service.” 

EFL in the Community Head of Participation and Community Engagement, Dominik Stingas-Paczko was invited to the Trooping The Colour King’s Birthday Parade, thanks to the North West Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association and defence Relationship Management. 

He was joined by Stuart Glover (Chief Executive Officer at Morecambe FC Community Sports who too have been awarded the Silver award) and Mark Ward (Miliary Cross recipient and Stockport County Community Trust’s Armed Forces Liaison Officer). Both organisations carry outstanding work with veterans and are also Armed Forces Covenant signatories. 

Fleetwood Town Community Trust’s amputee veteran completes incredible feat

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Fleetwood Town Community Trust’s Community Engagement Manager – and former army sergeant – has carried out an incredible fundraising challenge.

After hearing a local woman’s battle with terminal cancer, Rick Clement was inspired, and decided to task himself to complete the Great North Swim in aid of her and her family.

Serving in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan as a soldier for 14 years with the Duke of Lancaster Regiment before joining the EFL Club Community Organisation, Rick suffered life-changing injuries after encountering an improvised explosive device.

As a result, Rick lost both of his legs and suffered severe damage to an arm.

A regular fundraiser for several local causes and armed forces charities, the 44-year-old from Fleetwood was embraced by Sarah Jones at the finish line, after he completed the one mile race in 1 hour and 17 minutes.

“The first half was against the wind with the waves crashing into me as I took a breath, so I had to adapt my strokes to raise my head further above the water line,” said Rick about his challenge in Windermere.

But I kept setting my targets to the group of people in front of me and began to slowly hunt them down. As I hit the halfway marker it felt like I had made good time, and I knew the wind would be behind me on the way back.

“As I swam, I thought about Sarah and knew I couldn’t let her down by failing to finish. As I hit the finish line, I felt proud to have achieved my goal for Sarah and her family.”

Sarah said of Rick who oversees the management of a variety of projects all aimed at positively influencing the lives of local people:

“I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to an extraordinary guy whose strength and determination are truly inspiring.

“Rick’s commitment to raising funds despite facing his own challenges is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for compassion and resilience. His efforts have not only provided support in my battle against terminal cancer but have also raised awareness about the struggles faced by many in similar situations.

“His selflessness and dedication are a beacon of hope and have made a significant impact on my life, my family, and the lives of others. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your incredible generosity and for showing the world what true courage looks like.”

With an initial target of £500, Rick, from Fleetwood, managed to surpass this and raised over £1,700. The funds will allow Sarah and her family to create some valuable memories.

Saints Foundation Helps Jess Overcome Adversity

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“I don’t think any of us can understand the challenges Jess has faced but she’s still been able to come to school, achieve what she has and then be a key part of our projects in such a short space of time, she really is phenomenal.”

The words of Saints Foundations Community Champion James about Jess Vallis a remarkable young woman who has overcome adversity to achieve success with the Club Community Organisation.

Now aged 17, Jess started her journey with Saints Foundation in Year 9 at the age of 14. The young carer from Harefield in Southampton was struggling to balance school life with caring responsibilities for her disabled brother, often coming into school tired, struggling to focus and stay in lessons, and not having many opportunities to take time for herself.

Jess was referred to James at Saints Foundation for one-to-one mentoring. Jess felt that she didn’t fit in with her peers, and people did not understand and had no empathy for the challenges she faced both at home and at school.

Consequently, not only did she bottle her feelings up whilst at school but began to do the same around her family, so not to be seen as a burden to the challenges that they all, already had to face.

James worked with Jess to help and support her in being more open with her parents about these issues. Sadly, Jess’s brother then passed away. She credits the network she had built with James’ support and the tools she was given, in helping her when she returned to school.

Jess said: “I came back to school, I had my PE teachers to support me, James was there too and it was nice for me to see my whole network come together.”

Jess recently started her own coaching journey with Saints Foundation and their Premier League Kicks programme. She is putting her skills to good use coaching young people from the local area who are at risk of anti-social behaviour.

Her journey overcoming adversity was recognised this year when the Foundation awarded her the ‘Jordan Wilsher Award’, an award (pictured centre) that recognises people that have overcome adversity to achieve success.

James said: “The Jordan Willsher Award is very close to our hearts. I think the journey Jess has been on is incredible. It is truly inspiring, and she fully deserves this award.”

Southampton and Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu met Jess, an aspiring goalkeeper herself, at one of her sessions to present her with the award.

Barry’s beloved Leeds United helps his fitness journey

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Barry Larkin is a well-known face around Elland Road for fans and staff alike.

His affiliation with the club stretches back over 50 years to the 1973/74 season.

Known for his larger-than-life character and his wearing of shorts no matter what the Yorkshire weather brings, you can often hear his voice echoing “PROGRAMMES!” before you can see him.

However, a conversation with a member of staff from Leeds United revealed a vulnerable side that was far from the happy Barry everyone was used to seeing. After the COVID-19 pandemic, Barry like many has experienced loneliness and lived in isolation outside of his matchday duties with the Club. However, it was the Club he loves that came to his aid.

Football Club charities, such as Leeds United Foundation, have a plethora of provision to support their local community. FIT FANS is one of these programmes. FIT FANS aims to transform the lives of people aged 35-65, which is a time of life that people’s lifestyles naturally start to become less active. FIT FANS helps people like Barry change their eating and drinking habits, while losing weight and improving their health in a safe and sustainable way.

Having joined FIT LEEDS at his beloved Club, Barry lost 16kg over the course of the 3-months and his blood pressure dropped significantly. However, and perhaps more importantly, his well-known personality began to shine through as he encouraged and inspired other participants.

As a result of his participation in FIT LEEDS, Barry became involved in other activities to continue his positive change, both physically and mentally. He attended the Social Goals Group which supports participants to improve their mental wellbeing through engaging in conversations which, for most, revolve around their passion for Leeds United.

Barry’s weight loss and increased confidence has seen him find work as an Event Safety Steward again after a chance conversation with another employee of the Club.

Not only has his commitment to change been recognised externally but internally by the Club. He recently visited the Leeds United Training Ground and was presented a shirt by Liam Cooper and he now has a role with the Leeds United Foundation, driving the minibus to transport food hampers to families most in need during the school holidays.

The Foundation’s influence on him is so huge that as well as selling matchday programmes he also promotes the work of the charity to supporters, leading many of them to follow suit in joining and signing up to FIT FANS.

As Leeds United Foundation continue to support Barry, he has been looking for ways he can give back to his beloved club, to repay just a small amount of his gratitude back into his local community.

Recently,  Barry, joined by his ‘crew’ made up of staff from the Foundation, walked dozens of laps around the stadium’s exterior.

As the magical 60,000 target had passed, Barry completed the challenge through a guard of honour from the club’s staff, finishing pitch side and thanking all those that had supported his efforts.

Barry’s mother became ill with dementia and sadly passed away earlier this year. Supported by the Dementia Corner Flag Café group at the Foundation, and other initiatives being delivered by the club’s official charity, the well-known programme seller ultimately set his heart on the walk to give back and help the vital work that goes on in the community continue.

 

Headstart programme helping young lives make a positive school transition

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Two Greater Manchester EFL Club Community Organisations joined forces to reward children who have taken part in a school mental health programme.

Wigan Athletic Community Trust and Bolton Wanderers in the Community – charitable arms of their EFL Football Clubs – invited dozens of children who have benefitted from the EFL Trust’s Headstart programme to a celebration event at the Brick Community Stadium.

The Headstart programme, supported by Mental Health Transformation Officers at several Club Community Organisations in the North West of England, has helped more than a thousand pupils making the transition from primary to secondary schools with their mental health.

Some of the young participants from Bolton and Wigan took part in a series of workshops and sporting activities to celebrate their involvement.

Trafford Grimes, Wigan Athletic Community Trust’s Mental Health Transformation Officer, said: “It’s important that we run events like this for our students that are working hard within our projects. 

“Physical and mental health are closely-related, and good mental health can positively affect physical health, so it’s been great to do this event with the support of Bolton Wanderers in the Community to celebrate the programme.” 

Year 7 pupil Lara, who started working with Trafford due to having challenges with anxiety, said the sessions have ‘raised her confidence’. 

“The sessions are good because we can just be ourselves, we have someone who can listen to us and the group sessions are fun because we can all be together in one safe space,” said Lara. 

“My anxiety is 100% better than it was.” 

Both EFL Club Community Organisations (CCOs) came on board with the Headstart programme thanks to funding and support from NHS Greater Manchester, Greater Manchester Moving and local authorities; Wigan Council and Bolton Council.

Several other CCOs in Lancashire run the programme – thanks to support from the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity – all of whom aim to reduce strain on the NHS by targeting those children currently accessing or are at risk of needing to access children’s mental health services.

Debbie Cook, EFL’s Director of Community said: “EFL Club Community Organisations are well engaged within schools across their communities, and we’ve seen some wonderful and impactful examples of young people benefitting with their mental health when preparing for secondary school via the Headstart programme.” 

Oliver Pratt, Bolton Wanderers in the Community’s Mental Health Transformation Officer, added: “We support the pupils through Years 6 and 7, and we hope that with the classroom sessions and one-to-one support we provide, they have the skills when going to secondary school that can enable them to further thrive.”