Doncaster Rovers’ Foundation, Club Doncaster, runs regular ‘Walk and Talk‘ sessions that allow local people to connect, stay active, and support their wellbeing. Participants meet at a set starting point before taking part in a gentle, guided walk led by Foundation staff and volunteers. The pace is accessible to all, and the atmosphere encourages open conversation, social connection, and mutual support. During the walk, individuals can chat informally, share experiences, or simply enjoy being outdoors with others. The sessions aim to reduce isolation, improve mental and physical health, and help participants build confidence in a friendly community setting. Overall, Walk and Talk offers a simple but powerful way for people across Doncaster to come together, stay active, and feel part of a supportive group.
As part of the initiative, the Doncaster Rovers U18s joined the Foundation last week to spread some Christmas cheer among local people who regularly attend these events, hosting a Christmas party at the club’s stadium. The apprentices helped serve Christmas dinner and played games with attendees.
Nick Gillott, Head of Community, spoke of the initiatives importance: “Working alongside Greg and the Doncaster Rovers Under-18s at our Christmas Walk and Talk session has been incredibly important. Having the lads sit with participants, listen to their stories, and serve their Christmas dinner gives them a genuine insight into the projects the Foundation delivers and the real challenges people across Doncaster face every day. It’s a powerful reminder that football has the ability not only to inspire on the pitch, but also to bring people together and make a meaningful difference in our community.”
First-year apprentice Liam Potts said: “It was really nice to attend the Christmas dinner for socially isolated people. Seeing everyone come together to play fun games and enjoy Christmas dinner is really important for those who are lonely, especially at this time of year. Everyone was really lovely and asked us about how our season has been going, along with other questions about the club. Overall, it was a really good experience for the participants and for us players to be part of it and help make a difference to them. Especially for someone like me, who isn’t from Doncaster, it’s great to learn more about the local community and meet lots of the great people who live here.”
Second-year apprentice Harry Glaves added: “It was a great experience again to be given the opportunity to go out into the community and talk to lots of different people before and during Christmas dinner. We talked about a range of topics—from football to Christmas songs—and it was lovely to connect with people from different backgrounds. Doing community work feels extremely rewarding, as we know that, particularly for those who are socially isolated, it can feel really special for members of the club to come down and spend some time with them. The community as a whole is also very supportive of the academy and the club in general, so it’s a great feeling to be able to give something back to them too, even if it’s just a little bit of our time.”
Photos courtesy of Doncaster Rovers Football Club.
