Headspace FC CIC – Community Group of the Year nomination

Headspace FC CIC – Community Group of the Year nomination

What began as a kickabout for a few friends has become a community group that uses football to support people with their physical and mental health.

Primary school teacher Kenny Bartonshaw, from Blurton, set up Headspace FC with his brother, Cliff Barton, and friend Zac Ball because they wanted to start playing football again themselves.

In June 2025 they turned the group into a community interest company. In the first 12 months they attracted more than 290 members, delivered 157 sessions, filled more than 4,000 participation spaces and raised more than £6,800 to support mental health organisations.

By October 2026 activity has expanded to more than 1,000 followers across social media and six football sessions per week including dedicated football sessions for women as well as men’s and mixed sessions.

Kenny, aged 40, who teaches at Kingsland Academy in Bucknall, said: “The real impact is found in the lives Headspace FC has changed. Members describe how the group helped them through anxiety, depression, loneliness and periods of crisis.

“Some have rebuilt confidence after years away from football, others have developed friendships after moving to the area, while one member credits Headspace FC CIC with helping turn his life around after a suicide attempt by giving him the confidence to seek help and reconnect with others.

“Time and again members speak about the sense of belonging, the support they receive both on and off the pitch and knowing there is always someone there to check in, listen or simply share a laugh.”

Kenny has been playing football since the age of six years and was a coach for 11 years.

He says he and his brother were keen to start playing again as they knew the positive impact it could have on their own mental health, particularly at times of grief after losing their mum at a young age and also their cousin.

Kenny, Cliff and Zac now have a team of volunteers who help them to run sessions. They also work with groups including Man Time, North Staffs Mind, Andy’s Man Club and other community organisations to raise awareness, challenge stigma and ensure people know where to find help when they need it.

They create opportunities beyond football including family events, social evenings and charity matches. A recent charity match at the Bet365 Stadium raised £4,682 for local mental health causes while creating unforgettable memories for participants and supporters alike.

Headspace FC CIC has been nominated in the Community Group of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards.

One nominator said: “As someone who has experienced my own battles with mental health, I know how difficult it can be to open up. There is still a stigma around men talking about how they feel and many suffer in silence because they fear being judged. Headspace Football breaks down those barriers. It creates an environment where conversations happen naturally, support is always available and nobody is made to feel ashamed for speaking honestly about what they are going through.”

Another nominator said: “I stopped playing football at 17 after a serious injury and spent years unable to find an environment where I felt comfortable returning to the game. Headspace gave me that – not just the football, but a regular reason to switch off, get out, and connect with other people during a stressful period of my own life. That story is far from unique within the group.”

A third nominator said: “Being part of Headspace FC has had a significant impact on my wellbeing. It has helped me reconnect with exercise, improved my mood and rebuilt confidence that I thought I had lost.

“It has given me a positive outlet from work and introduced me to a community of people who genuinely look out for one another. The weekly games matter, but so do the smaller things like the WhatsApp conversations, the jokes, the encouragement and people checking in when someone is struggling. These things can appear insignificant from the outside but they can make an enormous difference to someone who feels isolated or lacks confidence.”

Kenny added: “It’s not just improving lives through football. It’s building a stronger, kinder and more connected community where nobody has to face life’s challenges alone.”