PARTICIPANT
TESTIMONIALS
“If I wasn’t
going down
to Blokes United
on a Thursday I would be sat at home on my
own looking at four walls thinking about the past.
I’ve met some cracking lads and I really
look forward to meeting up with the
lads for a game of football and
a chat. I think whoever
comes feels the love from
the group of people that
are involved.”
CS
“Creative football
was and has been
essential to me in the
short time I have been part
of the family. When there was no purpose in life
to get out of bed creative football was my purpose. I call it a‘family’ because that is what it
is.The first day you come down they take you under their wings and you become their
family. No matter your background or story you become one with them. The family
are amazing and you have endless of laughter too. They are amazing
and I am forever in their debt with the help and guidance they have
given me. I will continue to come down and support the family
forever. Throughout lockdown, there where no gyms
open and I couldn’t go to work. This was the
place to go . They have been amazing with their
sessions they have developed#me with my football
as well as helping me keep my sanity. I will
encourage anyone with any ability to come down
and give it ago I promise you you’ll never regret it.”
JR
“Sat in
a backstreet
boozer one
hangover Sunday,
fire roaring, dodgy
foreign feed on the big
screen,nursing a pint of the black stuff and
debating why we lost again yesterday, I spot a poster on the wall. ‘Blokes Unites’ it says.
I take a closer look. ‘Blokes United, every Monday 7-8, Darwen Academy’.This
looks orite. A game of footy, already organised,nice little run about,bit of
exercise. Sounds great.But…am I good enough? They might all be a
bit clicky, might not want a new face turning up and scoring
all the goals. Better not do the dance when I score the
perfect hat-trick then. No I can’t go can I, won’t
know anyone. Weeks passed and Monday’s
become football night. Got my touch back. Same
faces, some new faces each week, all just happy
to be playing football in a safe and welcoming
environment. Bloody brilliant.”
CO
“Meeting new
people from
different walks of life is great, especially when
we are all doing what we like. In this case,
football is the thing that brings us
together. Taking part in the group
has really boosted
myself-esteem and I’m
feeling a lot more confident.”
ANON
"When you
have mental
health problems and addiction
problems, you just live life from day
to day. You are basically just
existing. But when we
have got the football,
it gives us something to
look forward to."
ANON
“Well done
to the Creative football team.
Our young people really enjoy playing
in the inclusive league,
they would not be able
to afford to play if it
was not for this league”
AF
“Blokes United
gave us a platform
to enjoy our football
and play with people who
just wanted to feel the benefits of football on their mental health. From that, we were able to meet some really top people, who we recently started a football club with. The Beehive FC is a
product of the amazing work Wayne and the team are
putting in, to allow us to play with freedom and
enjoy ourselves on a Thursday night. We’re
really proud of what we’ve been able to
achieve so far with Beehive, and
hopefully, the club continues to grow
during the upcoming season.
Thanks to everyone at Blokes United
for introducing us to each other⚽️”
BR