Staff from Oxford United’s official charity have completed a specialist workplace wellbeing workshop aimed at helping teams manage stress and prevent burnout.
The session was delivered by Wantage-based psychotherapist Rebecca Lisi, who led an interactive training programme for Oxford United in the Community as part of a growing partnership between her practice and the charity. The bespoke workshop formed part of the charity’s new ‘Match Fit’ initiative, which promotes mental wellbeing across its workforce and the wider community.
Oxford United in the Community recently welcomed Rebecca Lisi Therapy as a ‘Friend of Oxford United in the Community’, a monthly fundraising scheme launched earlier this year. Through a £100 monthly subscription, participating businesses help fund youth football coaching, mentoring and kit packs for players within the charity’s Elite Development Centre.
Following her organisation’s involvement in the initiative, Ms Lisi delivered wellbeing training to the charity’s coaching team at Oxford United’s training ground. She said the high-pressure environment of football made accessible mental-health strategies vital.
“Football has the great power to unite and inspire people, but it can also be a demanding and stressful environment,” she said. “The training plan gave the team practical strategies, mindfulness exercises, and personalised support so they can better manage stress and promote wellbeing at work.”
Ms Lisi, who specialises in engaging male-dominated workplaces and individuals who may be reluctant to seek support, praised the charity’s openness to the training.
“Oxford United in the Community was incredibly receptive, and the feedback was positive,” she added. “I’m proud to partner with the charity and applaud it for taking wellbeing in the workplace seriously.”
Founded in 1989, Oxford United in the Community operates as an independent not-for-profit organisation. Its latest impact report recorded more than £973,000 of annual social value, with programmes delivered across 28 venues in Oxfordshire and more than 1,600 participants engaged.
The charity recently launched its ‘Match Fit’ campaign to strengthen wellbeing support for its staff and the communities it serves.
Matt Everett, CEO of Oxford United in the Community, said the new partnership was already making a significant difference.
“We work with people of all ages and backgrounds, and Friends of the Community is making it easier for fans and businesses to support our work,” he said. “Rebecca’s support has gone far beyond financial contribution—her expertise has been of real value to our team as we launch Match Fit.
“We benefitted hugely from the workshop, both in our own wellbeing and in gaining confidence in the tools we’re providing to the wider community. It’s a relationship we look forward to developing further.”
