Oxford United launch suicide prevention partnership
The club are collaborating with Baton of Hope
Oxford United has become the first professional football club to sign up to Baton of Hope's workplace pledge.
They're partnering with the charity to help save lives and increase awareness of suicide.
It's as former U's player Joey Beauchamp tragically took his own life three years ago.
The work will see in-person training delivered across the Club by professionals who have dealt with the impact of suicide. Players and coaches from the Men’s Team took part in the first of a series of workshops on Monday, with further sessions planned for Senior Leadership and staff members.
Mike McCarthy, Baton of Hope co-founder, said:
“We are enormously proud to work alongside Oxford United. The Club have demonstrated a serious and sincere commitment to the mental wellbeing of its community.
“They, like us, believe that in the majority of cases suicide is preventable. We share a view that the stigma surrounding this subject must be overcome. The Club is proving itself a front runner in confronting a societal catastrophe that is robbing our nation of talent and potential.”
Will Vaulks, Men’s Team player and Baton of Hope Ambassador, said:
"I’m truly overwhelmed with the response and the commitment shown by Oxford United. This is a cause which means so much to me on a personal level and I am delighted the Club have been proactive in supporting it.
“This partnership is hopefully the start of a long-term vision to help end suicide within our community.
“I personally have to thank Ben Wilson and Mike McCarthy from Baton of Hope. Alongside those within the Club none of this would be possible. I am very excited to see what difference this can make in Oxfordshire and beyond.”
Speaking with the club on the third anniversary of her father's death, Joey's daughter Jessie says:
"I'm old enough now to speak about my experiences and I want to get my point across. I have had my time to process it and understand why he did what we did. Now, I want to speak up and help others who have been through what I have and talk about it.
"It was obvious something was going on with my dad throughout my childhood. He did struggle with addiction and depression, something which I could see. I was living in it and it was hard for me to see him the way that he was.
"It affected me in every way possible, but I just brushed it to the side. I had to go back to school and I just tried to act normal like nothing happened. People were awkward around me and it was quite hard to fit back into routine. Coming back home it was hard because my sister was struggling and I had to be there for her.
"At the start, I had lots of messages and people were asking I was OK, and now, people don't check up. It still affects my everyday and people don't understand that unless they have been through it.
"I feel better about speaking. I do feel like I can make a big impact as a young woman for this generation. I want people to talk. It gets the weight off your shoulder and it's better to let it out. It's always better to speak."