Community | HeadStart programme supporting Latics fans’ mental health in secondary schools

In partnership with the EFL Trust, Greater Manchester Moving and the Greater Manchester Integrated Care partnership, Wigan Athletic Community Trust have been delivering the mental health transition programme, HeadStart, to support students in primary and secondary schools across Wigan and beyond.
The programme is designed to support pupils who might struggle with problems like anxiety or low confidence, the programme focuses on teaching different coping strategies, such as how to deal with new environments and social situations, giving them the skills they need to thrive in and outside of school
One student who has been supported by the programme is Deanery High School student Kian, who has seen a huge increase in his confidence and engagement in lessons since starting the programme.
A massive Latics fan, Kian regularly supported Shaun Maloney’s side at the Brick Community Stadium last season whilst also enjoying the Family Zone pre-match. With his improved confidence since joining HeadStart, Kian has also joined Wigan Athletic Community Trust’s Football Development Centre at William Fosters, helping him to engage in physical activity and make new friends at the sessions.
Kian has also attended a number of Community Trust events at the Wigan Athletic Academy, including a HeadStart celebration event and a #JustJoinIn football festival earlier in June.
Wigan Athletic Community Trust’s Mental Health Transition Officer, Trafford Grimes, has been working closely with Kian and has seen first-hand the impact the programme has had on him.
“I think the bottom line with Kian is he loves football and he loves Wigan Athletic. So having that badge there and really showing him that we can be positive by using football and physical activity is a way that we got through to Kian. We were able to use the badge in a really positive way and help Kian in the way that he needed helping.
“Using our Thursday night open football development sessions, we were able to give Kian an exit pathway. Although we are still currently working with Kian, after his year seven journey, he will then not be working with me any more. So, having that exit pathway to a Thursday night and still working with the club and with the Wigan Athletic badge was really important.
“Now Kian can go, right I’ve worked with Trafford in year six and year seven, what support is there after that? Well, we’re still supporting Kian through that exit pathway at our Thursday night open development centre where he’s learning lots of skills, social skills, playing lots of football, and really enhancing his confidence as well.”
Trafford’s thoughts were echoed by Kian himself, who said:
“I had a lack of confidence. But since I’ve started working with Trafford, I’ve believed in other people more and started trusting other people and I feel a lot more confident. I did the end-of-year show, and I sang I’m a believer because I live in Wigan and I support Latics.
“(In lessons) I used to feel anxious, and I didn’t want to do it, and I would go into my shell. But now I’ve come out of my shell and I feel a lot better, and I play more football, and that’s improved me as well.”
To find out more about the HeadStart programme and the work of Wigan Athletic Community Trust please email [e-mail]