Sheffield United Players speak about Mental Health to PL Primary Stars Children

Sheffield United Football Club joined forces with the Community Foundation to help raise awareness of mental health to Premier League Primary Stars Summer School participants.

Over August, the Community Foundation’s Participation & Inclusion strand were given the go ahead to start delivering again and were able to put together and run a Premier League Primary Stars Summer School, aiming to help prepare children for the transition of going back to School.

Sheffield United’s newly formed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion working group saw this as a great opportunity to reach out to participants and lightly introduce the Club’s theme for the month of Mental Health Awareness.

A video was made starring Sheffield United players David McGoldrick, Leandra Little and Angelo Capello. The players spoke about things they like to do to cheer themselves up and what makes them happy.

The video was put together to help create a talking point for the children to speak about their feelings and to recognise the things that make them happy.

Sheffield United Football Club’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Manager, Liz McGrael said: “This years’ circumstances have highlighted the importance of doing something positive to raise awareness of mental health especially in young people and children.

“The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group have enlisted the help of players to encourage Primary Stars participants to talk about their mental health.”

Elliott Wilson, Sheffield United Community Foundation’s PL Primary Stars Coach thought the initiative helped the children open up. Elliott said:

“It was great to see our young participants experience the video, giving them tips from their heroes about how to deal with challenges they may face”

Sheffield United Football Club and Sheffield United Community Foundation have forged a working group and have lots of exciting plans ahead to help raise awareness of equality, diversity and inclusion.