Walsall captain Donervon Daniels has been appointed as an ambassador for mental health and wellbeing charity Kaleidoscope Plus Group.
Since becoming captain, the twenty-nine year old has gone from strength to strength and enjoys his leadership role within in the dressing room and relishes supporting local communities and initiatives.
Kaleidoscope Plus Group, who were announced as an official charity partner of Walsall Football Club for the 2022/23 season, provide crucial mental health support services to the community and have almost five decades of experience in providing mental health support to thousands of people across the UK.
Known as the ‘big brother’ of the dressing room Donervon was keen to support the charity in their recent Wembley to Qatar challenge, encouraging fellow players and club staff alike to get involved in the December challenge.
On his recent appointment Donervon said: “I’m delighted to become an ambassador for the Kaleidoscope Plus Group. The work that they do to support people to improve their mental health and wellbeing when they need it most is invaluable.
“Mental health is a big topic in our house. Mental health problems exist in our lives, families, workplaces, and communities, impacting everyone. We need to continue the conversation around mental health and remove the stigma that surrounds it. I cannot wait to learn from the team at Kaleidoscope Plus Group and I’m looking forward to offering my support to the charity as much as I can.”
Donveron also joins fellow Walsall FC forward Brendan Kiernan who is also a charity ambassador for the West Bromwich based charity who uses his Call BK’ celebration to remind people to reach out to find the right support networks and safe spaces to maintain good mental health.
On adding Donervon to their team of ambassadors Monica Shafaq, CEO of The Kaleidoscope Plus Group said: “I’m thrilled to welcome Doneron to the charity as our newest ambassador. Donervon is a keen mental health advocate and is keen to learn about what more can be done to remove the stigma that surrounds it.
“Mental health has a huge stigma within football. There is still so much work to be done within clubs and the wider football community to support players’ mental health and wellbeing on and off the pitch as well as their fans and communities.
“There are also many inequalities in football and equality and wellbeing are huge passions of mine, so working with Donervon and other ambassadors like Brendan Kiernan gives us the opportunity to firmly put these issues in the spotlight in a sector where it has been lacking and one in which it can have significant impact.
“Team KPG and I are all looking forward to working with Donervon so that we can help to educate and support people who might be struggling both now and, in the future. We will continue to encourage people to keep having conversations around mental health."
For more information about the charity and the support it offers visit www.kaleidoscopeplus.org.uk