As part of Oxford United’s ongoing Can We Talk? campaign, Will Vaulks has confirmed he will deliver an impactful community workshop at the Kassam Stadium next month.
In conjunction with suicide prevention charity Baton of Hope, the free to attend mental health session will take place on Tuesday 17 March from 6:00–7:30pm.
The evening will be a ticketed event and supporters can sign up via the attached link HERE.
During the evening, he will share personal stories about the impact of suicide on his life, including the loss of both of his grandfathers. He will also reflect openly on the highs and lows of his career, offering honest insights and key takeaways around resilience and mental health.
With support from Baton of Hope, attendees will receive practical guidance on recognising warning signs in themselves and others, as the Can We Talk? campaign continues its mission to tackle the biggest killer of people under the age of 35 in the UK. Following the event, participants will gain access to online and in-person training to build on what they have learnt.
This workshop and training will be fully funded by Will Vaulks following his FIFPRO Player Voice award in November, using a 10,000 euro grant to put back into suicide prevention initiatives.
Will Vaulks said: “I feel privileged to be able to lead a workshop for our supporters around such an important topic. The talk will provide practical guidance and information about suicide prevention, and you’ll hear more about my life and career.
“After winning the FIFPRO Player Voice Award, I was given a grant to help fund my suicide prevention work. This felt like the best opportunity to give back to the community of Oxford, and specifically our supporters.
“I hope as many people as possible sign up to the online training which is vital to bring down the number of suicides we suffer each year. Thank you, as always, to Ryan Maher for helping me tirelessly behind the scenes to make this possible.
“We’ve made big strides as a Football Club through the Can We Talk? campaign, something we should be extremely proud of. Through your engagement, we are leading the way in suicide prevention and awareness within football.”
This workshop is part of ongoing community engagement delivered through the Can We Talk? campaign. This year, Will led the first in a series of workshops for Oxfordshire schools, bringing vital education into classrooms across the county. This follows further education sessions in partnership with the University of Oxford, with more county-wide talks planned in the coming months.
Oxford United continues to lead the way in suicide prevention and awareness within football. At the start of the year, the Club became the first in the EFL to introduce a life-saving suicide prevention check-up app, providing all staff with access to professional support and preventative tools.
To sign up for this free event, visit HERE. All supporters will have the option of donating towards the work of our suicide prevention, Baton of Hope, when obtaining their ticket.
Please note, the workshop sessions are designed for those aged 16 and over.
