THE mother of a 17-year-old footballer who took his own life is backing a pioneering initiative at Chippenham Town Council’s Stanley Park to give youth coaches mental health training.

Popular Chippenham Town Youth player Josh Hammond died in November 2017 and his mum Kerry wants to do all she can stop another family suffering a similar tragedy.

Stanley Park officers have organised five workshops for the 80 coaches working with two clubs who use the complex, Chippenham Town Youth and FC Chippenham Youth. The workshops, led by Malmesbury psychotherapist Denise Little, will teach coaches to spot the signs of potentially dangerous conditions, such as depression, anxiety panic attacks and psychosis and where to direct them for help.

Mrs Hammond, of Lingfield Close, Chippenham, said: “I was chuffed to bits when I heard about this. I’ve made it my life’s mission to get more awareness of mental health issues out there after what happened to Josh.

“We didn’t have clue what he was going to do, when I look back at what he was like before he died, we thought he was just being a typical grumpy teenager, but he wasn’t telling us everything that was going on and I don’t want other parents to have to experience that.”

Sports development officer Paul Harvey said he and many of those who knew the Sheldon School pupil had been deeply affected by his death.

He said: “I approached Kerry and asked if she thought it would be beneficial because after Josh died, I started thinking about the training coaches receive.

“As part of the basic training there is a first aid workshop and a safeguarding workshop but none of that tackles this issue.

“What happened to Josh isn’t mentioned in any of the basic training and I think that needs to change.”

Stanley Park manager Pete Hussey was quick to embrace Mr Harvey’s proposal because he knows only too well how damaging suicide can be. His own father, also called Peter, committed suicide when he was 16.

He said: “Me and my two younger brothers found my dad. It took 21 years of grieving for me to deal with it. I had no counselling at the time, it was my football coaches who played a large and positive part in my life at this time and helped me get through.”

He believes the workshops can have a huge effect and Mr Harvey plans to talk to youth coaches in other sports, such as rugby and tennis. “There are 80 coaches involved with those two football clubs and they probably deal with about 800 children of all ages, boys and girls. They can have a big influence.

“We’ve done some big projects here, but this is the biggest project and I’m proud of the work being done. We’ve had tremendous support from the town council staff and the councillors. What Kerry and Paul are doing is inspirational.”

The pilot scheme has been jointly funded by the town council and Wiltshire Council’s Local Youth Network. The first workshop is on Wednesday March 6 at 6.30pm at Stanley Park, two others follow on March 12 and March 21 at the same time, with others in the pipeline.

Mrs Little said the three-hour sessions will challenge coaches’ thinking. “The whole workshop is to build up an awareness of mental health and mental wellbeing,” she said.

“When young people suffer anxiety or depression there are no symptoms you can see, it is all inside their heads. But for them it is so much worse than adults because they don’t have the life skills or experience to cope.”

Mrs Hammond will also tell her story at the sessions.

Mr Harvey said: “I have been pushing this because Josh played here and what we are trying to do is create a legacy in memory of Josh at Stanley Park. Denise has given me some scenarios about what these young people might be going through and I would not have a clue what to do, and that is quite scary.”

He said hearing from Mrs Hammond will be powerful: “When they listen to what Kerry has to say it is going to have a massive effect,” he said.

Mrs Hammond praised Stanley Park’s staff for organising the workshops.

“It is wonderful that they are doing this. Stanley Park is part of the community because so many people play here and what they are doing will really help the community.

“If we can get other children more confident in speaking to adults that has to be a good thing, I would like something positive to come out of this.”

Town council leader Sandie Webb said: “This is a wonderful initiative which is fully supported by the town council.”

For more information about the courses, contact Paul Harvey on 01249 463905.