Barrow Town Vision Statement
To become a 21st century community asset built around men’s, women’s, boys’ & girls’ football. With an inclusive Junior section, and an intermediate section aligned to both the junior section ethos and progression to senior football. With men’s and women’s senior teams playing at the highest sustainable level.
Barrow Town Mission Statement
In order for the Football Club to achieve the sporting vision of; “playing senior football at the highest sustainable level”, the club needs to successfully implement its wider vision and business plan. A vibrant junior football set up, and a marketable asset (club house and facilities), together with strategic partners (sponsors) will bring in the regular income that will allow the club to plan and budget accordingly and ultimately to deliver all elements of the business plan.
One of the stated aims of Barrow Town Football Club is to place itself at the ‘Heart of the Local Community’. As part of that outreach the club got in touch with the mental health charity Mind to see if we could do anything to help raise awareness of mental health issues.
Whilst still at an early stage this relationship has proved to be mutually beneficial. Our football coaches tend to work with the same group of young people from the age of 7 through to 17/18. The national Mind charity have provided, Football Association-approved, online mental health awareness training for all of our coaches, equipping them with vital ‘signposting’ information that can help support young people in troubled times.
Locally Mind are in the process of setting up new services within our region and we have been able to provide them with meeting space and the opportunity to hold awareness events at the Club.
Local Mind Engagement and Development Lead Rachel Nott said;
“Whilst Mind have a significant presence nationally, we are only just beginning to develop services and support across the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland region. We are delighted to be working so closely with Barrow Town FC who are helping us to reach out to the local community and raise awareness of mental health, reducing the associated and stigma and moving closer to achieving our national objective of ensuring that everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect.”
The club have also recently held a couple of fundraising events in support of Angel Lynn who was so cruelly and tragically injured when she fell from a van on the A6.
Challenging discrimination in football is at the heart of what we do as a club.
Over the years we have produced a number of reports and surveys in order to share the lived experiences of those at the sharp end of injustice. We all have a role to play in challenging negative stereotypes and displays of racism. Barrow Town FC will continue lead grassroots clubs in the country to fight for equality in football.