Oxford United’s commitment to mental well-being has continued this week with an MHFA England 2 day adult course hosted at the club’s Training Ground.
Last week the club’s scholars continued their education with an inspiring talk from former player Joe Thompson who discussed the mental health side of overcoming problems during your playing career, and for the last two days this has been followed up by a workshop hosted by Ann Marie Davies, who is an MHFA Instructor and Director of BMR Health and Well-being.
Ann Marie also happens to be the wife of Manager Karl Robinson who told us
“It has been a little bit strange for both of us to be working on a project like this but it is such an important subject and something we both care passionately about. As we said last week we are trying to lead the way on this as a club and are doing all that we can to make sure that everyone from players, scholars and staff knows that there is always someone there for them to talk to and that people throughout the football club fully understand that we have support for them if needed.
“Gary Bloom is doing great work as club psychotherapist and having Ann Marie here has allowed people to step away from football and learn so much about a really important area within the game which we believe will grow and grow.”
Ann Marie told us:
“Obviously I have seen the pressure and stress levels within football. I wanted to find out more and see if we could help anyone who needed to reach out and talk.
"Oxford United have been amazing; we have had young players, medical staff, coaches and backroom staff on the course and they were totally engaged all the way through. It was a pleasure to be around the club and I am sure that Oxford United will continue to be front runners in raising awareness about the importance of Mental Health.”
For more information visit https://www.bmrhealthandwellbeing.co.uk/