Inside the Kassam as Will Vaulks delivers emotional evening

With guests sat, including numerous Oxford United personnel such as Stan Mills, Michal Helik, Mark Harris, head coach Matt Bloomfield, and CEO Tim Williams, the stage was set for an impactful evening of mental health awareness.

Tuesday evening saw an impactful evening focused on suicide intervention presented in front of 150 guests in OX4, something that Vaulks and the ‘Can We Talk?’ campaign had been working on for some time.

“That’s probably why I’m extra nervous to do it tonight, to do it in front of the lads that you play football with every day,” Vaulks admitted.

“Obviously, they see a different side of me as well. I’m really grateful for them coming along and supporting.”

A sea of Oxford United shirts adorned the room to witness Vaulks speak alongside U’s head of PR and media, Ryan Maher, ‘Baton of Hope’ founder, Mike McCarthy, and its clinical director, Ben Wilson.

Oxford United head of PR and media Ryan Maher (Image: Oxford United)

Maher introduced the night, guests listening intently as he spoke honestly about a friend’s struggle with mental health.

McCarthy followed, explaining the origins of ‘Baton of Hope’, the charity which aims to prevent suicide through proactive change.

An emotional McCarthy detailed his story before praising the work of the Yellows and introducing Vaulks.

Baton of Hope founder Mike McCarthy (Image: Oxford United)

“Thank you, Oxford United. You are pioneers.”

U’s midfielder Vaulks has done a lot of work already this year, going into schools across Oxfordshire to promote mental health awareness.

Guests glances at leaflet at Oxford United’s mental health workshop at the Kassam (Image: Oxford United)

READ MORE: Oxford United CEO thanks ‘inspirational’ Will Vaulks

The 32-year-old lost both of his grandfathers to suicide in his teenage years which led to the selfless fire being lit which drives him to help prevent such tragedies from occurring.

Throughout his career, Vaulks has experienced highs and lows; from experiencing loneliness in Scotland with Falkirk, to securing his big break at Cardiff City, to scoring a seemingly winning goal at Wembley for Sheffield Wednesday which was ruled out for offside.

Oxford United head coach Matt Bloomfield as the Can We Talk? mental health workshop (Image: Oxford United)

READ MORE: Oxford United quintet called up to World Cup qualifiers

His stint at Rotherham saw the former Wales international volunteer for the first time at a hospice, revealing to him the deeper issues in life than footballing defeats.

Amidst the sincerity and authenticity of the U’s man’s words of reflection and encouragement, Vaulks interspersed his talk with dry humour and digs at Sparky, offering an emotionally intelligent balance of heavy vulnerability with the familiar light-heartedness of the midfielder.

Oxford United striker Mark Harris and teammates attend mental health workshop (Image: Oxford United)

READ MORE: Oxford United’s Vaulks takes funding to three football clubs

Baton of Hope’s clinical director, Wilson, rounded the evening off before a Q&A.

The immediate impact was plain to see as guests put forward suggestions and questions, one gentleman even opening up about a men’s mental health group he had started elsewhere in Oxfordshire.

The passion and eagerness to make an impact that was sparked that evening is only the beginning as Oxford United and Vaulks continue their commendable work in the community.