LetGirlsPlay

Barclays and England Football are leading the #LetGirlsPlay campaign which looked to create the biggest ever girls’ football session on Wednesday 9th March – following both the EFL’s Women’s Weekend campaign and International Women’s Day. By 2024, the FA’s and Barclays’ ambition is for girls to have the same access to football opportunities as boys in schools and clubs. #LetGirlsPlay is a campaign to drive, influence and change perceptions, showing that football can and should be played by girls. It is bringing together a growing community of people of all genders, ages and backgrounds who want to champion equal access for girls, helping to create independent, resilient young girls who will be a force for good in all local communities. As part of the #LetGirlsPlay session, players from Dartford FC Women’s Team and Dartford FC Community Programme organised a ‘role model visits’ programme for some primary schools in the Dartford area. Emily Read supported class coaching sessions at Hextable Primary School, where children wore football kits or sportswear to school. Jo Woodgates delivered an Assembly to Key Stage 2 pupils on her pathway in football and the opportunities to play, followed by a dedicated coaching session to the Girls Football Team at Temple Hill Primary School. Shauni Griffiths led some girls only football sessions at Wentworth Primary School, and captain Lizzie Adams supported the Year 6 Girls Football Team at The Brent Primary School as they organised football tournaments for all girls in Years 3&4. Lizzie Adams, Dartford FC Women’s Captain, said “Tackling gender stereotypes and other types of discrimination in football and wider society is something we know still needs a lot of work. We were delighted to team up with the Dartford FC Community Team and the participating local schools for a really fun day of football. We continue to place a focus on this as a team and are looking forward to a session to keep working on this with Kick It Out in the coming weeks and look forward to doing more with schools and girls’ teams in the area.”.

MONDAYS

British Legion Hall Devon Road,South Darenth Da4 9ab 9.30am Sarah 07739 027161

VCD Sports Club Old Road,Crayford Da1 4dn 9.30am & 11am Sue 07507 599691

Fleetdown Community Centre Swaledale Road,Dartford Da1 6jz 3.30pm,5.30pm & 7pm Paula 07891 424401

Oakfield Primary Academy Oakfield Lane, Dartford Da1 2sw 5.30pm & 7pm Kate 07590 995948

Longfield Community Centre Fawkham Road,Longfield Da3 7qp 9.30am,11am,12.30,4pm,5.30pm & 7pm Lynsey 07764 191073

TUESDAYS

Greenhithe British Legion London Road,Greenhithe Da9 9ej 10.30am Paula 07891 424401

Geddes Place Church (Behind Nandos) Bexleyheath Da6 7dj 9.30am Adam 07730 405313

St.John the Evangelist Park hill Road,Bexley Da5 1hx 5.30pm & 7pm Adam 07730 405313

St.Anselms Parish Centre West Hill,Dartford Da1 2hj 9.30am Gillian 07957 135737

Oakfield Primary Academy Oakfield Lane,Dartford Da1 2sw 5.30pm & 7pm Kate 07950 995948

WEDNESDAYS

St.Edmunds Church St.Edmunds Road, Dartford Da1 5nd 9.30am,3.30pm,5.30pm & 7pm Bex 07494 813497

St.Peters Church College Road,Hextable Br8 7rh 5.30pm & 7.30pm Kelly 07904 759587

VCD Sports Club Old Road, Crayford Da1 4dn 7.30am,9am & 10.30am Liz 07900 213548

VCD Sports Club Old Road, Crayford Da1 4dn 5.30pm & 7pm Jo 07920 851475

THURSDAYS

St.Peters Church College Road, Hextable Br8 7hr 9.30am Kelly 07904 759587

Greenhithe British Legion London Road, Greenhithe Da9 9ej 5.30pm & 7pm Paula 07891 424401 St.Anselms Parish Centre West Hill,Dartford Da1 2hj 5pm & 7pm Gillian 07957 135757

Baldwyns Park Baptist Church Dartford Road, Bexley Da5 2ay 5.30pm & 7pm Del 07975 541082

FRIDAYS

Bexley Football Club Lesley Close, Bexley Da5 1lx 9am Del 07975 541082

SATURDAYS

Christchurch Centre Kingswood Avenue, Swanley 8.45am David 07729 504636

Oakfield Primary Academy Oakfield Lane, Dartford Da1 2sw 8am & 10am Sarah 07739 027161

LOOKING AFTER OURSELVES MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY IS ESSENTIAL FOR PERSONAL AND BUSINESS GROWTH

By Tim Parsons

The last couple of years have seemed like one big challenge and have seen major change in the way many of us run our businesses. Sadly a number of businesses have closed and this has taken its toll on a number of people physically and mentally. Now more than ever it is essential that we look after ourselves both mentally and physically. Having suffered a breakdown myself I am aware of the need to look after ourselves and there are many different ways we can do this. My Dad was minister at Highfield Road Baptist Church (Dartford) between 2001 and 2009 and sadly he passed away in 2019. I suffered a breakdown and continue to battle with anxiety at times.

I have found engaging in nature helps, taking a break regularly from the screens, walking, breathing exercises, meditation, meeting up with friends and sharing how I feel has really helped in looking after myself both mentally and physically. As a former chaplain to the ambulance service I have witnessed on a number of occasions how stress has played a huge part in the way we can be physically and mentally. Running a business is a big stress and it is essential we switch off from our work and have discipline for taking relaxation.

Research has shown that particularly middle aged men are more likely to die from suicide (Samaritans website) and I feel there is still a long way to go in supporting mental health. If you have employees, make sure you are checking on their welfare and yours. If you have the practical space I would suggest a quiet room where you can take a break. When I served as chaplain to the ambulance service the station had a quiet room for all employees and this was a fantastic resource to have as it meant employees could either be alone or chat to somebody in confidence. Talking really does help from my own personal experience and professional experience. We live in an instant World and with all of the technology we have, it is getting harder to switch off (literally). There is saying my wife often says to me, ‘Rome wasn’t built in one day’ and this has really struck a chord with me as I often find myself not slowing down and taking a break. If something can wait until later, there is nothing wrong in leaving it and going back to it. One of the paramedics I served goes off for a walk once a month on his own with his phone off and engages in nature to re charge his batteries. We may not go for a walk but maybe taking that time away from technology now and again might help us both mentally and physically.

There are many different organisations who are available if you are struggling; the following are just a few: The Samaritans Mind Contacting your GP Talking therapies Rethink.org Men’s health forum UK Nopanic.org.uk Sane.org.uk When we look out for ourselves and one another, personal and professional growth will happen over a period of time which has to be good for any business. Tim Parsons is the author of the children’s book series paramedic Chris which are based upon calls he attended with various ambulance crews when he was a chaplain to the ambulance service.

His latest book, ‘PARAMEDIC CHRIS AND THE RUNAWAY CHICKEN’ was published recently and is available from amazon. www.timparsons.co.uk