Everton in the Community welcomed The Prince and Princess of Wales to Hill Dickinson Stadium as a new national initiative aimed at helping sport play a greater role in suicide prevention was launched in Liverpool.
The royal couple visited Everton’s waterfront home on Thursday 10 September, World Suicide Prevention Day, for the launch of On Your Side, a new initiative from The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales.
The visit brought together leading organisations and figures from across British sport to explore how clubs, governing bodies and communities can help identify people who may be struggling and encourage potentially life-saving conversations.
During their time at Hill Dickinson Stadium, The Prince and Princess met Everton in the Community participant Sam and Community Wellbeing Practitioner John Bilsborrow, alongside Carol Speed, at the memorial bench dedicated to former Everton player Gary Speed.
The group spoke about their lived experiences of mental health and the importance of creating environments where people feel able to talk openly and seek support.
The launch also recognised Everton in the Community’s longstanding work supporting mental health and suicide prevention across the Liverpool City Region.
Sue Gregory, CEO of Everton in the Community, led a session involving representatives from across the sports sector, sharing the charity’s experience and best practice developed through its work with people in the local community.
On Your Side has been created specifically for the sporting sector and provides practical guidance designed to help organisations recognise warning signs and respond appropriately when somebody may be at risk.
The toolkit was developed by The Royal Foundation alongside the British Standards Institution and mental health charity Chasing the Stigma, with input from more than 200 experts and partners.
The initiative builds on wider work already taking place within football, including Together Against Suicide, which is delivered by Everton in the Community staff at every Everton home fixture on behalf of the Premier League.
The charity will continue to shine a spotlight on its work this weekend when Everton in the Community hosts its annual Community Day at Hill Dickinson Stadium during Everton’s Premier League fixture against Ipswich Town on Saturday 19 September.
The match kicks off at 2pm, with the day set to celebrate the breadth and impact of Everton in the Community while also raising awareness and vital funds to support its work across the Liverpool City Region. Everton’s official fixture information confirms the Saturday afternoon match against Ipswich.
