Rotherham United are delighted to be joining clubs across the divisions in showcasing the many amazing community initiatives that we involve ourselves in year-round as part of the EFL’s Week of Action.
The week runs from Monday 16th January onwards and provides the EFL’s clubs with a fantastic opportunity to shout from the rooftops about the near-endless variety of community-related work that the players and staff of their clubs do across the year.
Of course, whilst this week is designed to really shine a light on those efforts, we are well-aware that our commitment to the local community and beyond is a 365-days-a-year responsibility and with the help of our incredible Community Sports Trust, we are very proud of the wide range of activities we see our club representatives involved in.
Whether it be John Breckin leading the running of our Millers Memory Club or players getting out into local schools and soccer camps to meet youngsters from Rotherham, it means so much to us as a football club to know that we are able to give something back to the people who support us throughout the year.
John Breckin and co. at the Millers Memory Club
Whilst a number of community activities have become a staple in the players’ calendar like the annual Christmas visits to Rotherham Hospice and Bluebell Wood, we are always looking at innovative ways to reach out to the people of Rotherham and beyond.
Rotherham United players at the Rotherham Hospice last Christmas
With the cost of living increasing seemingly month-upon-month, we wanted to start a project that would allow anybody struggling to cope with the increased financial pressures to have somewhere to come that could help to alleviate them.
From this, the Every Miller Matters project was conceived.
🏠| Every Miller 𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨.@RU_CST #rufc | #ForeverTogetherForeverProud pic.twitter.com/dFOeD61FXg
— Rotherham United (@OfficialRUFC) December 13, 2022
Speaking ahead of the EFL Week of Action, Community Programme Manager Jonny Allan said:
“Every Miller Matters was created in late 2022 due to the cost of living crisis and the impact this would have on vulnerable groups of participants, however, when we looked at what we were offering on a daily, weekly, monthly - and to be honest annual - basis we realised that this has always been our ethos, we just don't shout enough about it,” he explained to www.themillers.co.uk.
“The EFL Week of Action 2023 allows us to showcase exactly how Every Miller Matters and throughout the week we will feature work from across the Trust, from schools to care homes and recreational football to talent pathways, from further education to employability and supporting vulnerable groups such as refugees, mental health patients and young carers.
“Using a mixture of case studies, video footage, player visits and photography, posts will be scheduled throughout the week with the aim of cementing the message that every Miller really does Matter, no matter your age, ability, health or background.
“The week will culminate with a big push of all our funded, free and low costs sessions and the EMM calendar as well, plus a renewed push on our clothing and food bank support.”
As is always the case, Millers players will be out fulfilling their duties in the local community this week with outings planned to local schools where players will support youngsters in their reading as we build up to World Book Day.