This April, Maxime Estève and Shurandy Sambo visited Unity College to meet students and staff involved in Burnley FC in the Community’s Schools Mental Wellbeing Project (SMWP).
Now in its milestone year, the project has supported its 5,000th student, a testament to its vital role in bridging gaps in youth mental health provision. By placing full-time wellbeing staff in schools, SMWP delivers tailored one-to-one and group sessions that build resilience and help young people thrive.
Leveraging the reach of Burnley Football Club and the Premier League, the initiative engages students through trusted community connections. It empowers young people to lead happy, fulfilling lives and works closely with school communities to promote wellbeing, reduce stigma, and progress towards mentally healthy school status.
We invited the players down to join a darts session, where students reflected on personal challenges they wanted to overcome. Using the darts as a metaphor, they symbolically aimed at their obstacles, throwing each dart with intention and purpose.
The session encouraged openness, self-reflection, and honest conversations about mental wellbeing. It was also a chance to bring students and players together for a relaxed, uplifting afternoon of connection and fun.
Health and Wellbeing Manager, Rowan Ardill said, “These player visits are incredibly powerful, they give students the chance to ask questions directly, and they also allow the players to see first-hand what’s happening in the community and the impact we’re having on young people.”
Maxime Estève added, “It’s been a great day. You can really see how much these visits support the students. It’s good to create a shared experience between us and them, and I think everyone’s had a fantastic time.”
The Schools Mental Wellbeing Project is proudly supported by the Premier League, the PFA, and Stortec.
