Bristol City’s first team and staff teamed up with charities across Bristol for the first City Giving Back Day on Thursday, July 30th.
The day saw more than 70 players and staff from City’s Under-18s, First Team and training ground staff make visits to the club’s Robins Foundation programmes, the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Children’s Hospice South West, Julian Trust Night Shelter and the Bristol Animal Rescue Centre.
From clothing donations and question-and-answer sessions to football games, fun activities, walking football, and meeting people of all ages across the city, the day was inspired by the well-established Bristol Bears Giving Back Day.
Read more about our visits below.
The Robins made four visits to Robins Foundation sessions. Five of our first year scholars attended a free Holiday Activity Fund camp, where they got to know participants and joined their morning of activities.
Later in the day, participants from the camp headed to the Hartcliffe Club for Young People where City stars and staff engaged with and got to know young people by playing games and joining activities.
The 224 Youth Zone is the base for the Foundation’s alternative learning provision, which combines small-group learning with personalised one-to-one mentoring.
Michael Skubala said: “We’re privileged to work in football, we’re privileged to work every day at the Robins High Performance Centre, we’re privileged to be footballers and be coaches, and sometimes it’s important for us to give back.
“That’s what this whole day is about, is giving back and showing our faces that we appreciate the community and we appreciate everything that people do for us in supporting us but also us trying to support the other way as well.”
Alternative Provision and Admissions Manager Sophie Hart added: “It’s been really great for the City players to engage with the young people here. For them to have some conversations and interactions is amazing and yeah, it’s been a fantastic part of City Giving Back Day.”The 224 Youth Zone is a brand new custom built site, bringing high quality youth provision and activity to south Bristol.
Alongside members of the Former Players Association and City staff, players also attended a Walking Football and Robins Memories session. The session is aimed at the older generation and those tackling dementia and loneliness.
A walking football participant said: “Walking football is a great help for people with Parkinson’s generally but specifically these sessions are well run and managed and the coaches are supportive and friendly throughout. My scoring is high throughout as I really can’t fault what is provided and am thankful that this service, which makes a difference to people’s lives, is there! Thank you!”
The Bristol Royal Hospital for Children is a paediatric facility in Bristol and the only paediatric major trauma centre in South West England.
The hospital specialises in paediatric intensive care, heart surgery, neurosurgery, bone marrow transplants, and cancer care.
The visit saw the players meet patients receiving in-patient treatment and play games and chat with those well enough to visit the on-site activity centre.
George Tanner said: “We come along and want to make them feel happy, make a difference for today and put smiles on faces. It’s great to see people and connect with the families and the children. It’s been a great day all around. “It’s a privilege to be a footballer and this opportunity to come here and make a small difference and hopefully be a distraction for what’s going on at the moment is a real privilege.”
The club and the Children’s Hospice South West have a long-standing relationship and this was the first visit of the season and the first for Jed Wallace, Seb Naylor and Sam Greenwood.
The CHSW provides hospice care for babies, children and young people living with life-limiting conditions and their families. Hospice stays, emergency care, palliative care and end-of-life care at three children’s hospices: Little Bridge House in Devon, Charlton Farm in Somerset and Little Harbour in Cornwall.
Wallace said: “To come in and see the kids but also to speak to the volunteers here and see the parents and siblings is great. It is lovely that they can all stay here together.
“We are really lucky to come and see such an amazing facility and meet everyone.
“Bristol is a huge city, and we are the biggest club in the city and that comes with a big responsibility to give back to the community and I really feel that.”
Assistant Head Coach Ian Burchnall said: “It is an inspiring place. This is the first time I have been to a place like this. I have been at a lot of clubs, but this is the first Giving Back Day and I think it is a wonderful thing to do.
“When the whole club is out, it is so great that we can impact different parts of the city.”
The Robins visited the Julian Trust Night Shelter, which provides shelter for homeless people and rough sleepers in Bristol as well as a hot meal for the night and a warm welcome.
The organisation is 100% volunteer-run and City’s players and staff made clothing donations, received a tour and helped sort through clothing and food provisions.
Julian Trust spokesperson Isobella, who welcomed them alongside fellow trustee Sue, said: “We have been open 40 years and support up to 120 people on one night, four nights a week.
“In terms of awareness, we are very reliant on the support from our local community. It costs £3,000 a week to run the shelter, so having donations like clothing and word of mouth support about who and what we are can make a difference to how efficiently and effectively we can run this place.
“It was lovely to see the players and staff and it was great to see them get hands on and see what we do in person and that makes a big difference to understanding the effects on homelessness and the impact of their support and donations.”
City star Joe Williams added: “It’s incredible to see what happens here and how the Julian Trust helps so many people in need with meals, clothing and a bed for the night.”
The Bristol Animal Rescue Centre (ARC) works hard to offer shelter, specialist care and a second chance at a happy life for thousands of pets. They also help pet owners in the community who need support and advice.
They support animals on every step of their journey, from medical treatment to specialist care and behaviour training. When the pet is ready, they carefully match them with loving new owners.
As part of the visit, staff and players had the opportunity to meet animals at the shelter, receive a tour and even a chance to hand-craft dog toys.
Luke Mitchell of the Bristol ARC said: “Just wanted to reach out to say a huge thank you and what a wonderful day it was yesterday! All the team here were very excited about the visit, and we had an enjoyable time.
“We were extremely impressed with some of the crafting skills, in fact one of the toys is now being kept as a demonstration toy for other groups.”