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Impactful Community Work Celebrated at EFL Trust Conference 2023

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EFL Club Community Organisations attended the annual EFL Trust Conference this week to celebrate and further develop the impact they have in their communities across England and Wales.

EFL Chair Rick Parry and EFL Trust Chair Liam Scully addressed the Conference along with EFL CEO Trevor Birch and newly appointed Director of Community, Debbie Cook, who will take position in February 2024 to lead the EFL Trust.

At the Conference, the EFL Trust was announced as a strategic partner of Sport England to help people across communities move more and enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle. Sport England’s Executive Director of Partnerships, Phil Smith, took to the stage setting out the scale of the challenge faced as a nation to increase activity rates among the sections of communities least likely to be active.

The EFL Trust will receive long-term National Lottery funding from Sport England and has committed to influence positive change and drive improvements across the network and beyond. This forms part of Sport England’s approach to long-term partnerships with organisations aligned to the Uniting the Movement strategy.

The conference also welcomed key commercial partners, Kellogg’s and Sky Bet, outlining opportunities to support Club communities over the coming years.

 

 

Business Development Director, Andy Snell shared a range of updates including news that the Trust is now a member of the European Football for Development Network (EFDN), an organisation dedicated to strengthening the social impact of football across Europe.

The annual event culminated in a series of workshops for Clubs and CCOs addressing key areas that impact the impressive community work across our 72 Clubs in the Community.

Liam Scully said: “The annual EFL Trust Conference is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the impactful community work across the network and an ideal occasion to bring all the Clubs and Community Organisations together to build stronger, healthier and more cohesive communities.”

New EFL Community Director Appointed To Lead EFL Trust

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Debbie Cook has been appointed as the EFL’s new Director of Community and will be responsible for overseeing the management of the EFL’s charitable arm, the EFL Trust.

Having worked in local government for 22 years, Cook brings a wealth of leadership experience, previously holding CEO positions at a national health charity and YMCA Humber respectively, before joining Grimsby Town as CEO in June 2021.

Announced at the EFL Trust’s annual conference today (29th November), Cook will also join the League’s Executive Leadership team to further strengthen the EFL and EFL Trust, building on the annual £865m social value contribution that the League’s 72 Clubs make in towns and cities across England and Wales each year.

Trevor Birch, CEO of the EFL, said: “I’m thrilled to welcome Debbie to the EFL, bringing with her a wealth of expertise and leadership skills across the sports and charity sectors. I have no doubt that Debbie will make a significant contribution to the League’s Executive team while overseeing operations of the EFL Trust.”

Liam Scully, Chair of the EFL Trust, added: “On behalf of the EFL Trust Board, we’d like to thank our senior team for their unwavering commitment and achievements in managing the charity over what’s been an uncertain 10 months for the EFL Trust. We welcome Debbie to the role and look forward to building on the foundations that have been provided by the network’s outstanding work in recent years.”

Debbie said: “EFL Clubs make a huge impact on communities on a scale which is unprecedented in this country and I’m excited to be joining the EFL as we seek to build on the amazing work that goes on day in, day out.

“It’s been a privilege to witness at Grimsby Town Football Club just how much a club can represent a community and impact the lives of so many people.

“The lessons I have learned during my wonderful period at the club will inform much of my work and I am excited to take on this new challenge.”

United In Support For Our Armed Forces Community

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

Stuart Glover, CEO of Morecambe FC Community Sports

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

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

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

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

Cathy Abraham, CEO of EFL Trust

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ashley Hackett, CEO of Blackpool Community Trust

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Smart Energy GB Extend Partnership With EFL Trust and EFL

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The EFL and Smart Energy GB have agreed a two-year partnership extension which will see football supporters across England and Wales continue to receive help in understanding their energy spending.

Smart Energy GB teamed up with the EFL and EFL Trust in 2021 and has since held a series of engaging community focused activities showcasing the benefits smart meters can have for households.

 

With 72 EFL Clubs and their Club Community Organisations (CCOs) located in towns and cities across the country, the partnership provides a national platform with local reach to show fans how a smart meter and in-home display could help them better manage energy bills and household finances.

Smart meters are crucial to upgrading Britain’s energy system and by having them installed at home, football supporters will also play a key role in helping the transition to more environmentally friendly and sustainable energy sources, such as wind and solar. 

Ben Wright, the EFL’s Chief Commercial Officer, said:

“EFL Clubs and CCOs support their communities seven days a week, 365 days of the year and with Smart Energy GB focused on helping to tackle fuel poverty and making energy savings all year round, this will help, especially those who have been impacted by the cost-of-living crisis.

“We are pleased to announce this extension so we can continue to help support the communities our Clubs serve.” 

Phillippa Brown, Deputy Director of Special Audiences at Smart Energy GB, said:

“Working in partnership with EFL Clubs and their Club Community Organisations has been incredibly rewarding. The partnership has allowed Smart Energy GB to reach households through their love of football to understand how smart meters could help them better manage their energy bills. This has been vital for many people looking for ways to stay on top of their finances, so we’re excited to continue this work and build on what we’ve achieved across England and Wales already.”

Cathy Abraham, the EFL Trust’s Chief Executive Officer, added:

“We know a lot of people are finding it harder to manage their household bills. Our EFL Club Community Organisations engage with over 840,000 people every year across England and Wales, so are perfectly placed to support those people who may be struggling.

“This partnership with Smart Energy GB will further help people to make informed decisions about the use of their energy.”

Click here to find out more about Smart Energy GB and how a smart meter could benefit you.

Headstart makes expansive headway in North West

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Thousands of Year 6 pupils across the North West of England, making the transition into secondary school, will benefit from a mental health programme involving several EFL Club Community Organisations (CCOs).

Since 2022, the EFL Trust and four CCOs have supported dozens of schools and hundreds of pupils across Lancashire and South Cumbria via a pilot project called Headstart, thanks to funding from Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity after successfully applying for an NHS Charities Together Grant.

The EFL charitable arm is delighted to announce, during Mental Health Awareness Week (15th – 21st May), the programme – which has supported almost a thousand pupils since it began – will be delivered by a further seven charities.

The CCOs will work in schools, providing one to one or group support, in either a classroom environment or delivering sessions, like yoga and mindfulness.

Fleetwood Town Community Trust, Preston North End Community and Education Trust, Morecambe FC Community Sports and Accrington Stanley Community Trust each have a Mental Health Transformation Officer, 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.

Blackpool FC Community Trust, Blackburn Rovers Community Trust and Burnley FC In The Community have joined the Lancashire cohort of CCOs delivering the programme.

In addition, Bolton Wanderers In The Community, Foundation 92, Rochdale AFC Community Trust and Wigan Athletic Community Trust have come on board thanks to funding and support from Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership, GreaterSport and local authorities; Trafford Council, Wigan Council and Bolton Council.

In 2020, one in six (16.0%) children aged 5 to 16 years were identified as having a probable mental disorder, increasing from one in nine (10.8%) in 2017.

Adrian Bradley, Head of Health & Wellbeing at the EFL Trust said:

“Our Club Community Organisations are well connected within schools across their communities, and we’ve seen some wonderful and impactful examples during our pilot year of delivering the programme.

“We’re delighted that we’ve received further funding for more Club Community Organisations to deliver this programme across Lancashire and Greater Manchester, and reach and support as many children as possible, making that milestone transition in their lives from primary to secondary school.”

Caption: ITV Football visited Larkholme Primary School in Fleetwood to witness EFL Trust Headstart Programme delivered Fleetwood Town Community Trust.

Clinton Morrison visits school to promote Lifebuoy Soaper Heroes as part of EFL Week of Action

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Lifebuoy Soaper Heroes Ambassador Clinton Morrison has been down at Woodford CE Primary School in Northamptonshire to improve kids’ hand washing behaviours as part of the EFL Week of Action.

Lifebuoy have created a Soaper Heroes programme with the aim of educating kids on the importance of hand hygiene to keep themselves and those around them healthy! With cold and flu season among us, it is more important than ever to keep them away from having sick days from nasty germs. With your help, we can have them where we want them, back on the pitch and playing sport.

Clinton said at the event taking place at the Northamptonshire-based school organised by Northampton Town Community Trust:

“Thank you Woodford CofE Primary School and Northampton Town FC Community Trust for hosting us during the EFL’s Week of Action.

“We’ve had fun learning about the importance of good hand hygiene with Lifebuoy.”

With over 150 clubs and 70,000 kids taking part and benefiting from the programme in 2022, you too can become a Soaper Hero by downloading the programme using the link below.

Upon signing up, you will receive the below pack, including two great engaging and educational football activities which you can incorporate into your everyday sessions. Good hand hygiene doesn’t need to be difficult!

  • A welcome letter from Lifebuoy Soaper Heroes Ambassadors
  • An overview of Lifebuoy’s Soaper Heroes Programme
  • Soaper Heroes warm-up activity
  • Soaper Heroes clean-up activity
  • Educational Hygiene Posters for your club
  • Soaper Heroes certificates

Download your Soaper Heroes pack now here.

Remember, Touch it, Wash it, Bish Bash Bosh it!

EFL Trust supports Lifebuoy’s mission to help youngsters on Global Handwashing Day

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Each year on 15th October, 200 million people worldwide celebrate Global Handwashing Day.

We’d urge you to join Lifebuoy’s mission to educate five million children on the importance of hand hygiene by 2025!

Teaching our children why handwashing matters is vital.

Lifebuoy, Official Hygiene Partner of the EFL, set up a kids hand hygiene programme called ‘Soaper Heroes’ which has been put in place to improve kids hand washing behaviours.

The aim of the programme is to help kids, and those around them stay healthy. If we can keep them away from having sick days from nasty germs, we can have them out playing sport and there is where you can help! Lots of clubs and kids are already taking part in the programme, utilising the engaging and educational football activities in their everyday training sessions.

Good hand hygiene doesn’t need to be difficult!

By downloading the Lifebuoy Soaper Heroes programme, you will also receive the following:

  • A welcome letter from EFL’s Soaper Heroes Ambassadors
  • An overview of Lifebuoy’s Soaper Heroes Programme
  • Soaper Heroes warm up activity
  • Soaper Heroes clean up activity
  • Educational Hygiene Posters for your club
  • Soaper Heroes certificates

Search Soaper Heroes to find out more or visit https://www.lifebuoy.co.uk/soaper-heroes-for-schools.html

Download your Soaper Heroes pack by clicking here.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Paul Greenwood/Shutterstock (13026137ba)
Bela Shah visits children in St Oswalds Primary school to join in a Lifebuoys Soaperheros session in Wigan

World Health Day: Using the power of sport to improve health and well-being

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Today (7th April 2018) is World Health Day. A day to raise global awareness and local conversations about ways to achieve health for all.

We, alongside our 72 EFL Club Community Trusts, use the power of sport to improve health and well-being in local communities around the UK.

One trust in particular, Blackburn Rovers Community Trust, run 48 projects on a daily basis that are all linked to health and wellbeing.

In 2017, the Trust had five projects focused on helping improve the health of the borough and as a result the football club’s official charity engaged with more than 2,500 people in the local area.

This year, Blackburn Rovers Community Trust launched a brand new health programme, EuroFIT (European Fans in Training), for men between the ages of 30-65.

The focus of the 12 week initiative is to increase participants’ physical activity levels and offer guidance on how to lead a healthier life with diet and exercise advice.

The weekly session, which is held at Ewood Park on a Tuesday night, has been led by trained staff from the Trust and Blackburn with Darwen Council.

As part of World Health Day, Blackburn Rovers season ticket holder Peter Graham, who is a regular EuroFIT participant, explained why the programme is perfect for him.

“I have been watching Rovers since 1966 and I found out about EuroFIT through the Community Trust’s Facebook page,” admitted the 59-year-old.

“I have put some weight on over the past few years and as soon as I saw the EuroFIT programme it appealed to me.

“The fact the programme was held at Blackburn Rovers was a huge motivator for me rather than going to the local gym.

“It is a real friendly group that goes to EuroFIT and we all motivate and challenge each other to keep going.

“I have changed my diet after the advice we received and we were also given a pedometer to challenge us to walk more places. I have been that impressed with EuroFIT that I have already recommended it to my friends.”

From the Trust’s point of view, Ilyas Patel leads the EuroFIT programme and he revealed the participants motivate each other every day, not just at the weekly sessions.

He said: “EuroFIT has been a real success and World Health Day presents a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness for this programme and all the other great health programmes we run at Blackburn Rovers Community Trust.

“The participants have all been great and they have all taken to the programme. They have set up their own WhatsApp group to let each other know what exercise they have done and see if they can beat one another.”

Stevenage FC become latest club to sign up to USW Football Foundation Degree

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Stevenage FC Foundation have teamed up with the University of South Wales and EFL Trust to launch a brand-new foundation degree for aspiring coaches to study a higher education course whilst gaining practical experience out in the local community.

The Foundation’s two-year Foundation Degree programme is a course designed for individuals wanting to attain a university qualification and are passionate about pursuing a career in the football industry.

Students develop the necessary skills, qualities and characteristics that are required to work within professional football club community departments or national governing bodies.

Delivered in partnership with the University of South Wales, Stevenage FC Foundation become one of over 35 clubs across the country to deliver the course including Shrewsbury Town, Newport County and Sheffield Wednesday.

All lectures, seminars and tutorials are delivered in a supportive and inspirational club environment, based predominantly within your own football club via online material. This is supported with residential stays at the University of South Wales campus in Cardiff where students from all the clubs, come together twice a year.

Alongside the academic element of the course, students will complete up to 200 hours of voluntary coaching within the community, alongside the Foundation staff, allowing the students to embed and develop the coaching techniques learnt within lectures.

Through the Foundation’s partnership with the University of South Wales, all students will be enrolled as a student at the university. Students will be able to access the university’s online library, blackboard and learning materials, providing them with the best possible learning platform to excel within.

Head of Foundation, Joe Goude said, “We are incredibly excited about the being able to bring the USW Foundation Degree to Stevenage. This is something we’ve been working on for nearly a year now and we cannot wait to get started.

“We already have a fantastic apprenticeship pathway in place for further education with Sporting Futures Training and this is the next tier of that pathway that will allow those apprentices to progress to a higher education programme whilst continuing to build on their practical experience out in our community.

“This programme has seen great success elsewhere in the country with some amazing examples of what students have gone on to achieve and the Foundation is looking to replicate that success locally, to create a viable pathway for people to gain new knowledge, but it into practice in the local community and ultimately make themselves more employable.”

Prerequisites to Apply:

  • BTEC Level 3 – MPP. A Level – DD
  • Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
  • Three A*-C grades at GCSE, including English and maths

More details of the course can be found here.