To mark World Mental Health Day, and as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Luton Town Community Trust hosted a special event at Challney High School for Girls, combining football, boxing and honest conversation to help young women explore the importance of mental health.
As part of the Community Trust’s Premier League Inspires programme, the event brought together 30 students from Challney High with inspiring local role models, Luton Town Ladies captain Leyah Maddix and Luton-born boxer Tysie Gallagher.
Together, they created a safe and supportive environment where girls could talk openly, learn new skills and experience how physical activity can be a powerful tool for managing emotions and building confidence.
During the event, Leyah, a former Challney High student who also scored twice in the Ladies’ win at Milton Keynes last Sunday, led a football-based activity and spoke to the students about her experiences.
Leyah said: “It’s important for anyone to have role models to look up to and relate to. It’s nice for me to come back here and engage with the students and it helps forge a closer connection.
“For me and my mental health, having suffered serious injuries, the biggest thing was being around my teammates, they helped me prepare mentally and showed that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Having people around you really helps.”
Meanwhile, boxer Tysie, the British, Commonwealth and WBO super-bantamweight champion, gave the students a light-hearted training session.
Tysie, a former Luton Town Ladies player before focusing on her boxing career, said: “It was great to show the students how we as athletes manage our mental health because it’s very important.
“For me, with the platform I’ve now got, what I need to do is to give back and be the woman I needed when I was their age. Now I’m doing that by giving my time and inspiring them, to show them there’s no limit to what you want to achieve and say to them, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t.”
The event also saw Charlotte Lockley, CEO of our club charity of the year Stepping Stones, the Luton-based charity that supports women who have experienced domestic abuse, give an insight to the charity and work they do.
Charlotte spoke to the students about recognising emotions, seeking help and supporting one another – sharing the message that no one should face mental health challenges alone.
Our club charity of the year provides a wide range of services, including one-to-one counselling, group programmes, and practical advice, helping women to rebuild their lives with confidence and independence. For more information on Stepping Stones, click here.
Bert Klemmer, Programmes Manager (Education, Employability & Learning) for the Luton Town Community Trust added: “It was inspiring to observe the level of engagement and understanding demonstrated by the students, reflecting the excellent work carried out by staff at Challney High School for Girls.
“The event formed part of our Premier League Inspires programme, which uses football to foster confidence, resilience, and essential life skills within local secondary schools and educational settings. It also provided an important opportunity to discuss the mental wellbeing of local young women.
“Pupils connected with highly respected local role models, Tysie Gallagher and Leyah Maddix, who shared how they manage setbacks and maintain their mental wellbeing, as well as Luton-based support organisations Stepping Stones and Public Health Luton, who offered valuable insights into their work within the community and ways for young people to get involved.”
The Premier League Inspires programme uses the power of football to help young people aged 11 to 18 reach their potential, developing the personal skills and positive attitudes they need to succeed in life. 54 Premier League and EFL club charities deliver the Inspires programme in local schools and education establishments this season, up from 45 in season 2024/25. Premier League Inspires has been developed by the Premier League in partnership with professional football clubs, and is supported by the Professional Footballers’ Association. Click here to find out more.
For further information about the Premier League Inspires programme and our schools' offer in Luton and Bedfordshire, please contact [email protected].
