💬⚽ It’s Good to Talk.
That message rang loud and clear as our young people and CEO, Basharat Dad, proudly joined the Kick Off the Conversation Football Tournament, backing the first-ever Birmingham Suicide Prevention Week.
The day was about much more than football. It was about connection, courage, and breaking the silence around mental health—showing that sometimes the most important conversations can start with a ball at your feet.
Youth Leading the Way
Our youth leaders were at the heart of the tournament, not only on the pitch but also in front of the camera, where they shared powerful reflections on what mental health means to them and their peers.
They spoke about:
✨ The importance of looking after your mental health.
✨ Why youth support services make a difference.
✨ How talking can save lives.
🌟 Real models. Real youth voices. 🌟
Their courage and honesty shone through, proving once again that young people are not just participants in these conversations—they are leading them.
Sport as a Catalyst for Change
At Our Community Foundation, we’ve always believed that sport is more than a game. It’s a tool to bring people together, break down barriers, and start conversations that matter.
The Suicide Prevention Football Tournament embodied this belief. Every kick, every cheer, and every conversation on the sidelines reinforced the idea that football can be a powerful platform for awareness and change.
As one young person reflected:
“It felt good to know that by playing football, we were also helping to show that talking about mental health is important.”
Get support here >>> https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/suicideprevention