One bench, One match, a whole new ball game.....
New initiative set to tackle loneliness through football
A new initiative to bring people together through the power of football, connection, and shared experience is set to launch in Sheffield later this month.
One Bench, One Match – A Whole New Ball Game is delivered by Speakeasy Club in partnership with the Sheffield Wednesday FC Community Programme and the Campaign to End Loneliness at Sheffield Hallam University.
The project creates a safe, welcoming space for anyone who loves football but doesn’t always have someone to go with. One Bench, One Match brings together like-minded fans with similar experiences, including those who feel lonely, have lost a loved one, are new to the area or suffer from social anxiety.
The first official meet-up will be held from 11 am to 12:30 pm on Saturday, 31 January, at Hillsborough Stadium as Sheffield Wednesday face Wrexham in the Championship. The ‘bench’, which is permanently situated outside the club shop, will be the meeting point for the event. Anyone can sign up on the Speakeasy website, and all participants will receive a complimentary match ticket and a small souvenir of the day. 
Loneliness is rising in every age group, and the winter period and post-Christmas blues can heighten loneliness for many. Intergenerational relationships help to strengthen belonging, empathy, mental health and trust. Football is an ideal place to foster relationships across all ages.
The Campaign to End Loneliness has consistently highlighted loneliness as a public health issue with links to heart disease, dementia, depression and early mortality.
The Campaign to End Loneliness was established in 2011 to ensure that people most at risk of chronic loneliness are supported by organisations, services and policy. It moved to Sheffield Hallam University in 2024 to sit alongside the Centre for Loneliness Studies, which carries out world-leading research on loneliness.
Professor Andrea Wigfield, Director of the Centre for Loneliness Studies and the Campaign to End Loneliness, said: “We are proud and pleased to join forces with Speakeasy Club and Sheffield Wednesday Football Club to launch this new initiative, ‘one bench, one match’. We know from our research how devastating loneliness can be for both our mental and physical health. Football is a great opportunity to bring people together, forge social connections and a sense of belonging. The shared interest in your club, the communal chanting, the sharing of the club’s colours all help to foster a community spirit which means that you can attend a match alone without knowing anyone and yet not feel alone.”
Speakeasy Club is a not-for-profit organisation established in 2022, with a mission to use the power of sport to save lives by empowering, educating, and supporting individuals before they reach a point of crisis.
Simon Clarke, Founder of Speakeasy Club, said: “One Bench, One Match, A Whole New Ball Game is about working together to create simple, welcoming spaces where conversations can start naturally. Football has an incredible power to bring people together, and by partnering with the Campaign to End Loneliness and the Sheffield Wednesday Community Programme, we’re using that shared love of the game to help people connect — reminding them that they’re not on their own and having a good laugh in the process.”
Sean Graves, Health Manager, Sheffield Wednesday Community Programme, said: “It’s great to be a part of this programme and hoping we can really make a change in the community and tackle mental health issues and loneliness.”
If you'd like to understand a bit more about the project, feel free to contact Simon Clarke on simon@speakeasyclub.co.uk
The initiative is supported by the Postcode Lottery Trust, LENSGO Visual Media, Goose Creative, and the Campaign to End Loneliness.
Meet you at the bench....
Speakeasy Club Awarded £45,561, Thanks to the Incredible Players of the Postcode Lottery
Speakeasy Club Awarded Game Changing £45,561, Thanks to the Incredible Players of the Postcode Lottery
Speakeasy Club is beyond delighted to announce it has been awarded £45,561 over the next two years, made possible entirely by the brilliant players of the Postcode Lottery. This transformational funding will significantly strengthen our mission to ensure no one feels alone when it comes to their mental health. We are eternally grateful to every single player whose contribution has made this possible.
This support arrives at a time when demand for Speakeasy Club’s work is accelerating far beyond available resources — and it will provide vital stability as we expand, professionalise, and deepen our impact across communities.
Strengthening Foundations During Rapid Growth
Speakeasy Club’s flagship initiative, the Speakeasy Bench, launched with a goal of 10 benches. In the first year alone, 21 benches were installed. Two years on, that number has now grown to 61, with each bench or barrel placed in a sports venue, café, workplace, or community hub, linking people to free mental health resources through a simple QR code — sparking curiosity and conversations that save lives.
This growth reflects the need, but has created significant pressure without core funding. The £45,561 grant from the Postcode Community Trust Wales and players of the Postcode Lottery allows Speakeasy Club to strengthen its foundations, scale responsibly, and meet demand sustainably.
Founder Simon Clarke said:
“This funding doesn’t just help us grow — it gives us foundations. The players of the Postcode Lottery are helping us build a future where no one has to struggle alone, and we are eternally grateful. Without them, we simply couldn’t reach as many people as quickly or as safely as we need to. To think about where Soeakeasy all began, and the people who have selflessly helped us along the way, it’s incredibly overwhelming to have been awarded such funding, but this support and encouragement mean the world and allow us to take the much-needed next step on our journey. Want to find out more? We’ll meet you at the bench ”
The grant lands as Speakeasy Club CIC looks to strengthen its organisational governance and expand its board from four to eight members following a skills-based review. Alongside a new reserves policy — crucial for long-term sustainability — these activities will be finalised by Spring.
A Catalyst for Greater Reach, Better Evidence, and Systemic Change
Thanks to the players of the Postcode Lottery, Speakeasy Club will now:
- Increase its reach, placing more benches and mental health touchpoints in community and professional sports venues. Working with world-renowned organisations such as Gilbert Rugby and more.
- Collaborate with higher education institutions to produce evidence-based reports that will change the game in mental health, proving why community sports venues are essential to wellbeing.
- Expand impact measurement, ensuring activity is backed by strong data and supported by a sustainable strategy.
- Continue developing digital tools, including the forthcoming “Pal in Your Pocket” mental health support app.
- Drive forward sector-leading campaigns,such as ‘8’ For a Mate, a major men’s mental health initiative planned for May 2026.
This funding empowers Speakeasy Club to move from fast-growing grassroots impact to a more resilient, research-led, and influential community mental health organisation.
Real, Measurable Impact
Speakeasy Club’s work has already led to powerful change:
- 61 benches and barrels installed
- 1,310+ QR code scans to online mental health resources
- 3,240+ people engaged through events and campaigns
- £23,000+ raised for community clubs
- 1,400+ podcast listens
- And at least one life saved — that we know of
The new Postcode Lottery funding will accelerate this impact, ensuring more conversations happen, more connections are made, and more people receive support at the moment they need it most.
The one aspect Speakeasy Club requires more than anything is time. Whilst this funding won’t solve this key problem entirely, it will go a long way to helping it.
A Movement Built on Connection, Curiosity, and Community
Speakeasy Club’s mission is to make talking about mental health a normal, everyday part of life — especially for men and the communities around them. Founder Simon Clarke brings lived experience and 25 years in community sport; ambassadors like Joe Ledley, Dai Flanagan, Shaun Edwards, and Gwen Crabb help reach audiences who may not otherwise hear messages around mental health and the power of being part of something.
With the support of the players of the Postcode Lottery, this movement is now stronger, more sustainable, and ready to reach even more people.
Speakeasy Benches #13 & #14 Sheffield Wednesday FC supported by Speakeasy Club
Speakeasy Benches #13 & #14 Sheffield Wednesday FC supported by Speakeasy Club
Sport has the power to positively change and save lives. Penarth-based Speakeasy Club is on a mission to put FREE wellbeing & Mental Health resources in every community sports venue in the world.
The power of conversations and sporting communities has led its founder to create the Speakeasy Bench, in a bid to inspire people to take time out and talk more.
Simon Clarke, Founder of Speakeasy Club said: ‘’Sport has given me so much throughout my whole life; when I was struggling with my own mental illness, the rugby club clubhouse was my safe space and almost a refuge from reality. We must make these places as accessible as possible for their communities and show the next generations the power of talking with each other. That’s what we aim to do through Speakeasy Club and why I want to see pink benches across Wales and beyond.”
Simon aims to see a pink bench in every community sports club in the world. Each bench has two QR codes. When you scan one of the QR codes it’ll take you straight to the online clubhouse where you’ll be able to access free mental health support and resources that can support you or your teammates. The idea is that they do all the work by collating the fantastic help that is out there, so it saves people time and energy.
Simon added’’ If I’d have had access to these resources at the places I was going to regularly, maybe I wouldn’t have found myself on the edge of a cliff on Barry Island’’.
One key aspect of the work Speakeasy Club are doing is helping people to find their ‘’Clubhouse’’. The place where they feel safe, and free from judgement and a place where they feel like they belong.
Despite being born and bred in Penarth, Simon has been a Sheffield Wednesday fan for over 30 years, and his clubhouse is their home ground of Hillsborough Stadium.
Simon said ‘’ I’ve supported Wednesday some 1993 and haven’t been able to shake them. For over 30 years with my father, I’ve travelled up and done the M1 regularly to watch the matches. During the darkest times of my depression and anxiety, watching Wednesday and wearing a hoody or a shirt was like my comfort blanket. It was the only thing that helped me at the time. Football is much more than just what happens on the pitch. ‘’
Speakeasy Club have partnered with the Sheffield Wednesday Community Programme to deliver two benches – one at Jubilee Sports and Social Club and one at Hillsborough Stadium – and free mental health support to thousands of people.
Ben Winter, Deputy Head of Community says: ‘’ It’s a privilege to link with the Speakeasy Club initiative. Connecting SWFC with a charity that aims to provide vital support for people within our community. The benches donated to us are perfectly positioned to allow people to access the resources they might need, in a non-judgmental and private way. Supporting people’s mental health is extremely important to SWFC and this partnership will only improve our ability to do that.’’
Simon recently appeared on the popular Sheffield Wednesday fan’s favourite podcast The Wednesday Week, and spoke about the plans to support fellow fans by providing the benches.
Simon was joined on one of the pink benches outside Hillsborough stadium by regular podcast panellist and host, Stevie Spence
Stevie Spence, The Wednesday Week Podcast says: ‘’ I’m born and bred in the Sharrow area of Sheffield which is a predominantly (Sheffield) United area of the city. I started Supporting Wednesday with my sister back in the mid-1980s and haven’t looked back. The time I get to spend with my 10-year-old daughter each Saturday at the match means the world to me. Being part of the podcast is like having a second family at times and my clubhouse is very much that group of people and Hillsborough itself. Personally, and as a podcast, we’re delighted to support Speakeasy’s mission, and it aligns perfectly with the community work the podcast team has been doing recently. Wednesday is a huge part of thousands of people’s lives, so it’s exciting to provide more opportunities for likeminded people to look after each other’’
Having launched in Penarth, South Wales on World Mental Health Day in October 2023, there are currently 15 benches in place with over 400 QR codes scanned, with several more benches across the UK in the pipeline.
The aim to put a Speakeasy bench in every community sports club in the world is certainly a lofty one, but one Simon and the team at Speakeasy Club are committed to.
For further information on how you can sponsor or support Speakeasy Club’s mission at your venue, contact Simon at simon@speakeasyclub.co.uk
Speakeasy Classic Charity Golf Day
Title: Speakeasy Classic Charity Golf Day
Guest Speakers: Joe Ledley
Venue: Glamorganshire Golf Club
Date: Thursday August 22nd 2024
Speakeasy Club
- Breakfast on arrival
- 18 holes Texas Scramble
- Speakeasy welcome pack
- Live on course scoring with VPAR
- Longest drive & Nearest the pin competitions
- On course beverages
- Welcome back drink
- 2 course meal
- Clubhouse conversation with special sporting guests
- Charity Fundraising
- Charity Putting competition
As of 7th Augsut, We currently have 3 spaces left for teams and sponsorship opporunuties available proiced at £50 and £100 each .
If you’d like to get imvolved please contact Simon Clarke on Simon@speakeasyclub.co.uk
Speakeasy Bench #4 - Dragons RFC Supporterd by Addis Housewares
Speakeasy Bench #4 - Dragons RFC Supported by Addis Housewares
RODNEY PARADE LATEST WORLD FAMOUS VENUE
TO BECOME HOME TO SPEAKEASY CLUB ‘PINK BENCH’
Last week it was Sheffield Wednesday’s world renowned Hillsborough and this week it is Dragons RFC’s famous Rodney Parade ground that has welcomed the latest Speakeasy Club ‘pink bench’ in the battle to open up conversations on mental health.
Long-standing Owls fan Simon Clarke, the founder of the Penarth-based Speakeasy Club, has been trekking around Wales and England linking up with sports clubs to try to spread the gospel about opening up to friends and family when times get tough.
Clarke’s mission is to put free wellbeing and mental health resources in every community sports venue in the world, with the Speakeasy Bench being the current delivery model.
Each bench is strategically placed to attract attention and its distinctive colour stimulates curiosity. Two unique QR codes on each bench then allow people to scan in straight to the online clubhouse where they are able to access free mental health support and resources to support themselves and their teammates.
Rodney Parade, one of the oldest sporting venues in Wales and home to both Dragons RFC and Newport County, is the latest venue to adopt a bench for the new season in similar fashion to Sheffield Wednesday, who took two last week.
Last month Clarke installed a bench at St David’s RFC in Pembrokeshire and a bowls club in Ebbw Vale. Since October last year there have been seven installations and there are several more in the pipeline.
On top of that, Speakeasy Club has partnered with Rugby Mental Health charity Looseheadz, and is going to work with all 274 registered rugby clubs in Wales to stress the power of conversations within sporting communities.
“I’m a big supporter of open, honest, and curious conversations on the training pitch as well as in the clubhouse,” explained Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan.“It was really interesting being part of the clubhouse conversation on the bench with representatives from across the Dragons and the different perspectives on what the club means to people were very powerful.“My local rugby club Penallta RFC means the world to me and my family, so I know first-hand how important it is to come together in a safe space with the common interest of rugby at heart. Long may it continue.”
Clarke founded Speakeasy Club to try to inspire people to take time out and talk more after he struggled with his own mental health andc one day found himself maybe on the edge of a cliff on Barry Island.
“Sport has given me so much throughout my whole life. When I was struggling with my own mental illness, the rugby club clubhouse was my safe space and almost a refuge from reality,” said Clarke.
“We must make these places as accessible as possible for their communities and show the next generations the power of talking to each other. That’s what we aim to do through Speakeasy Club and why I want to see pink benches across Wales and beyond.”
The latest bench will be installed at Rodney Parade ahead of the new BKT United Rugby Championship season. It also comes a week after the news that England cricket legend Graham Thorpe took his own life after suffering from severe depression.
“The idea is that we do all the work for you by collating the fantastic help that is out there. It saves you time and energy,” added Clarke.
“I often wonder whether if I’d access to these resources in the places I was going regularly, maybe I wouldn’t have found myself on the edge of that cliff at Barry Island.”
Dragons RFC Community manager Mike Sage has sited the Speakeasy Bench at the heart of the club’s fan zone at Rodney Parade.“Our growing ‘Family of Provisions’ encompass Sport, Education, Inclusion, Community Outreach and Health and Wellbeing to drive change and positive outcomes. The work Speakeasy Club are doing to complement these areas in partnership with us makes complete sense,” said Sage.
“We pride ourselves on being committed to inclusive rugby opportunities, and that extends to the wellbeing of all involved with our community programme and the Dragons RFC, both on and off the pitch.’’
For further information contact Simon Clarke (founder): simon@speakeasyclub.co.uk or www.speakeasyclub.co.uk