To coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day, Oxford United are launching a brand-new initiative to offer suicide prevention training to grassroots football clubs.
The free sessions will be funded by former Oxford United player and Can We Talk? co-founder, Will Vaulks, with additional training also being made available to Season Ticket holders as part of Will and the Club’s drive to ensure the Can We Talk? campaign leaves a legacy.
Will's funding will provide accredited in-person training days for grassroots football clubs across Oxfordshire, giving them the tools to spot the signs that someone is struggling and to help create a safer environment for all. As part of the next phase of the Can We Talk? initiative, the Club is collaborating with the Oxfordshire FA to help widen the reach of the programme well beyond Oxford United's own fanbase.
In addition, the Club are also seeking an initial 100 Season Ticket holders to help build a stronger network of support around the Club on matchdays. Each supporter who signs up will receive a free 40-minute training session, delivered by the Club's suicide prevention partner, Baton of Hope. The online module covers the basics of suicide, including the right language to use and how to recognise when someone may be struggling with their own mental health.
Training is only for Season Ticket Holders aged 18 or over. If you are interested, please follow the link HERE.
These offers are the latest in a series of new steps in a campaign that has already made Oxford United the first football club in the country to sign Baton of Hope's Workplace Pledge, and to introduce a suicide prevention check-in app for players and staff.
Over the next 12 months, the Club are committed to delivering the following
- Five community spotlights - in-depth features on local services, with information on how supporters can access help
- A dedicated support hub on the Club website signposting Oxfordshire services
- Matchday suicide prevention service presence on selected matchdays, offering real time advice and support
- Can We Talk? dedicated matchday, bringing together services from across the county to raise awareness
- Club-wide suicide prevention framework and strategy for staff
- Accredited training with Oxfordshire FA, extending the programme to grassroots clubs and FA staff across the county
The intention is to build on the progress made to date, which includes 100 staff members and 60 Men's First Team & Academy players who received suicide prevention training, along with the introduction of the OurPulse app, which made Oxford United the first club in the country to adopt this life-saving bi-weekly check-in for staff and players.
Since launching in October 2024, the Club have interacted with 300 supporters through Club-led workshops and training, while this calendar year we delivered powerful workshops at local schools, RAF Brize Norton, and the University of Oxford.
Campaign co-founder, Ryan Maher, said: "None of this happens without Will. He's raised the profile of suicide prevention across Oxfordshire for two years, and even though he’s moved on, his funding means we can keep training the community for the next 12 months.
"Suicide prevention is part of who we are as a Club. Suicide is still the biggest killer of under-50s in this country and that's exactly why the Club has a duty to continue to act.
"These next steps are about ensuring Oxford United creates a suicide prevention legacy, reaching our community of staff, supporters and non-supporters every single year.
"Collaborating with local services and with the Oxfordshire FA will help to highlight and promote the work being done across the county, taking accredited training beyond our own supporters and into the heart of grassroots football, where so many people can be reached at an early stage. The more organisations we bring into this, the stronger the safety net becomes for everyone."
Will Vaulks leaves the campaign having taken its message to a national and global stage, recognised with the FIFPRO Player Voice Award and PFA Community Player of the Year. Oxford United are now committed to building on those foundations by creating a stronger network of support for staff, players, supporters and the wider Oxfordshire community.
Help is out there. Whether you’re struggling, worried about someone else, or simply want to know more, support is always available. Samaritans are available 24/7, 365 days a year. Call 116 123 for free.
