Saint Paul’s was delighted to welcome Joe Farrar from the Happy Somedays club, to speak to the Year 8 pupils. Happy Somedays is a group where everyone is welcome to come along and join in the football or fitness sessions. The group, a safe space for people to enjoy football and fitness without worrying about fitting in, has become a massive hit in Wythenshawe.
Joe Farrar set up the club following a football injury when he found it difficult to find a welcoming club. He thought that others might have experienced something similar and weren’t able to enjoy playing football because they felt they lacked the ability or confidence to join a team.
The group, which is based at Saint Paul’s Catholic High School, has been designed to create a safe space for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy football and fitness without worrying about fitting in.
Joe explained: “We want to enable all people regardless of race, sexuality, ability or anything else that may have prevented them in the past to achieve everything they ever wanted to. We hold a number of sessions each week, all with one thing in common a love for football or fitness e.g. Pilates and Box Fit.
“We are an incentive as opposed to a club, we found people wanted to play football, for example, but not have the constraints of being a club, it’s casual so people can pick it up when they want. We created a safe space and an environment that participants can thrive in and enjoy and at the same time improve their mental health.”
Mrs Susie Delaney, Year 8 Progress Leader, said: “Our pupils were interested to hear about Happy Somedays which has opened the door for many local people in the community to get fit without any fear or worries, it is a truly inspiring achievement. The group is now extremely successful with many men and women attending each session!”
Mr Mike Whiteside, Deputy Headteacher, added: “We are delighted to have Happy Somedays based at Saint Paul’s. They have removed the stigma from sport and fitness and ensure that the sessions are inclusive for all. The sessions are a safe space where people can exercise, chat and thrive.”
