Rotherham United

Since June 2014, Steven has been volunteering with RUCST and he has proven to be a great asset to the Trust. Steven began volunteering due to the unfortunate circumstances that occurred in his life during December 2013, which meant he was unable to work. While volunteering with us Steven has decided his future ambition is to become a rehabilitation coach and is currently doing various training courses through RUCST alongside volunteering to make this a reality.  

In December 2013, Steven suffered from a brain haemorrhage, a subarachnoid bleed on the brain. Unfortunately, this illness left Steven paralysed and he was told by his doctors that he would not be able to walk again. Steven said, “When I was in hospital, two weeks of not being able to walk, all that I could think about was how bad things were and I felt like I could not do anything. Then I thought about all the athletes that were disabled and how they managed and I wanted to be just like them.” From this point on Steven decided he would not let his condition get the better of him and placed all of his focus on getting better. Steven overcame many hurdles and built up his muscles despite the odds to ever walk again.     

While volunteering with RUCST Steven has applied his personal circumstances to help relate to others in a similar situations who attended the rehabilitation sessions. Steven said, “Having gone through being disabled myself I think it makes me more understanding towards coaching from not being able to feel anything to helping others feel.” “One particular memory that lingers in my mind”, Steven said, was once being at social prescription, “I helped a man at social prescription who was paralysed all down one side of his body after a stroke. This made me very emotional for him as I knew exactly how he felt and this drove me to help him even more.”

Lead coach Ryan who Steven has been volunteering with said, “Steven has overcome a lot of obstacles in his life, it has been great having him as a volunteer at the sessions and get involved with other people and participants.”

Steven has found great enjoyment out of volunteering and he is a pleasure to have around the office and at sessions. Steven has not let his condition bring him down and although he is unable to work, he remains persistent to enhance his future through volunteering by gaining skills and experience.

Steven was really grateful when he discovered the volunteer opportunities available at RUCST as it allows him to go out and do something he loves as oppose of staying at home and getting overwhelm by his disability. Steven said that volunteering with RUCST gives him a great buzz and encouragement. Especially, when he receives heartfelt comments from people at the sessions, such as “you are truly an inspiration”.  This gives Steven the motivation to continue striving along with his inspirational thought “do you know what despite the odds, I have done it!”

Fran Wilson, Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator said, “I would like to say a huge thank you to Steven for all of the hard work that he contributes to volunteering with us! It is really great and inspiring to watch the continuous progress that he is making.”

For more information please contact:
Fran Wilson
Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator
Telephone: 01709 827767
Mobile: 07852 959700
Email: fwilson@rotherhamunited.net
Twitter: @RU_CST

Visit www.rucst.co.uk for more information on Rotherham United Community Sports Trust