Recovering Addict

who believed he was ‘destined to die or lose my mind’ is now inspiring local Thurrock residents through his love of football

Thurrock resident and recovering addict, Chris Shields is the founder of Turning Corners a community football project. The project brings together men of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to become a part of a community and to talk with like-minded men who may have experienced substance misuse, social exclusion, mental health issues, or just love to play football. Chris’s story is the latest in series of case studies from Mid and South Integrated Care System that demonstrate the benefits of organisations working together to the benefit of local people. Chris set the project up in collaboration with health and care partners in mid and south Essex. It’s gone from strength to strength with now over 50 people from the ages of 18 upwards meeting at Lakeside Sports Ground every Friday. He also set up a WhatsApp for the club group during the COVID-19 lockdown so if someone is struggling, they can reach out to Chris or the other guys in the group. Chris, originally from Morecombe in Lancashire, didn’t have an easy upbringing and had issues with alcohol, drugs, gambling and had seen three of his friends die as a result of their addiction issues. Chris said: ‘When I was using drugs, drinking alcohol and gambling, I had no direction, I had no purpose and basically my life was just heading nowhere. I felt I was destined to die, or lose my mind end up in an institutions or jail, but I've turned off the road just in time with so much help from so many different people. In spite of my own struggles, I'm able to help others to fit into a group that's good for them. It’s a safe environment for people to grow and to find some happiness in their lives.” Chris has now been clean and sober since 2012 and he puts it down to the people who have supported him including “his little warrior Nana” who supported him up until her passing from cancer as well as local health and care professionals including Teresa O’Keeffe, Riverside Community, Karen Dobson,

Thurrock Council and Richard Jacklin from Inclusions Visions

Thurrock. Richard Jacklin was Chris’s Community Connector at Inclusion Visions and

has supported and worked with Chris and Active Essex to initially set up Turning Corners. He said: “The development beyond just football has been extraordinary. It’s a community of recovery, of people who help each other not just with addictions, but also mental health and that is extremely powerful. Chris is using his lived experience to help other people and with his ability to draw people in he has exceeded my expectations; I couldn't be prouder.” Turning Corners is a community project and has received funding from The Wave Suicide Prevention Community Fund, because of its focus on men who are the group most at risk of suicide. Maria Payne, Strategic Lead for Public Health at Thurrock Council said: “‘We know men under 50 are more at risk of mental health

issues, substance misuse problems and suicide and are less likely to come forward for help. Turning Corners offers another opportunity to bring men together and give them a shared goal and a space to talk and get support.’ Alfred Bandakpara-Taylor, Deputy Director Adult Mental Health for NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board said: “The work Chris has been doing with Turnings Corners to support other men’s mental health, as well as his own, is truly inspirational. We know that in the UK suicide is the leading cause of death in men under 50 which is why community projects like this are so important in enabling men to support each other and to breakdown the stigma. Chris is a credit to his community, and I hope Turning Corners continues to grow and change lives.”

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Lorem Ipsum dolor sit Stones Athletic YFC

Stones Athletic Youth Football Club (Standard Charter Development Club) was formed on 22.06.2004. We are a Community Club based in Ingatestone, Essex. We only do positive at Stones and provide a FUN environment for all our players.​​​

The club has a total of 210 players registered, with an age range of U4's up to U16's. These players are split across 18 squads, which includes: members of our Saturday club (4-6 year olds) , 3 girls teams and then teams ranging from U6's through to U18's. The Club has an active girls section and hosts an FA approved Wildcats Centre ages from 6-15 with a pathway into the Ladies team at 16. We pride ourselves on the quality of coaching provided to all age groups. We have pitches for training and matches at Seymour Field and the Anglo European school as well as a floodlight Astroturf training facility at Chelmer Park.

We currently play in The Brentwood Community League. These offer a mix of festivals, 5-a-side, 7-a-side, 9-a-side and 11-a-side matches with the added opportunity for Futsal for certain age groups.

The Youth Club has associated Clubs with Stones Ladies FC that play in the Essex Women’s League and 2 Walking Football teams that play in the Essex Walking Football Leagues.

Our philosophy is to welcome boys and girls of all abilities and help them grow and develop to realise their full potential. The Managers and Coaches focus is to ensure all players are enjoying their football and are playing with a smile on their face.

If you are looking for a friendly Club and wanting to get into football we would look forward to hearing from you. Please contact us using at: home (stonesathleticyfc.com)