Rovers will invite local children and young people the exclusive opportunity to design Rovers’ third kit for 2018/19 as part of the club’s new mental health awareness initiative.
Working closely with NHS Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group, the club are running a kit design competition where everyone who enters will receive an information pack which offers information, advice and guidance to children and young people about mental health issues.
The competition is open to young people at schools in Doncaster, with design entries being invited by both the club and NHS Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group(CCG), which has provided all the information for the downloadable information pack (available below).
The CCG will also distribute information packs, which will also be available from the club shop and reception areas at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Shaun Lockwood, group head of communications, said: “I’m really pleased we are able to do this as part of In Rovers We Trust, where we again highlight that supporters are what makes a football club. Mental Health is an important subject and I believe as a club we can play an important part locally in helping to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
“We have had a lot of success raising awareness of mental health issues in recent years, as seen with the CALM partnership last season, and anything we can do to help anyone struggling find the help they need is worthwhile.”
Dr David Crichton, chair of NHS Doncaster CCG said: “Mental health and wellbeing is very important and the CCG is delighted to be working in partnership with Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber Foundation Trust and Doncaster Rovers as part of World Mental Health day on 10 October 2018.
“By designing a third kit for the football team, young people in Doncaster can help promote the importance of mental health.
“Good health habits, including talking about how we feel and taking regular exercise, can help promote well-being. Any young person wanting to talk to someone about their mental health can talk to their GP, their school or the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services at: http://camhs.rdash.nhs.uk/children/what-can-camhs-help-me-with.”
Entries will be accepted until Sunday October 7, with the winning design unveiled three days later as part of World Mental Health Day. Click here to download an information pack.