A Derby man’s story of overcoming adversity is helping football fans smile this January.

Mick, a regular at Derby County Community Trust’s Cardiac Rehabilitation and Parkinson’s Walking Football programmes, says the projects “have been extremely beneficial and invaluable”.

Mick’s journey is being shared as part of Scan to Smile, a new EFL initiative designed to lift spirits during the January blues and shine a spotlight on the life-changing work delivered by football club charities. 

The Trust’s Cardiac Rehabilitation programme aims to get people back to as full a life as possible after a cardiac event such as a heart attack, heart surgery or stent procedure. This includes improving lifestyles, such as diet and increasing physical activity levels. Cardiac rehabilitation also gives people the opportunity to meet other people who are going through similar experiences.

The Neurological Disorders programme is specifically designed for individuals currently receiving or awaiting treatment for Parkinson’s disease. This includes social football which is an adapted football session with limited contact and reduced speed and a chair-based exercise class. This programme is delivered alongside the University Hospitals Derby and Burton Parkinson’s Physiotherapy team.

Mick said: “The staff are wonderful; I believe that this [the programmes] are helping me through the conditions that I’ve got. All I can say is that I’ve just got to keep on going.”

Posters displayed around EFL stadiums from 23 – 31 January will invite supporters to scan QR codes, alongside codes on-screen during all live EFL games broadcast on Sky Sports. Fans can scan these to unlock uplifting stories like Mick’s, showing how football changes lives far beyond the pitch. 

Trevor Birch, Chief Executive at the EFL said: “Scan to Smile is about harnessing the power of football to lift spirits and share real stories of hope. Behind every Club are people whose lives have been positively changed through the work and dedication of their local EFL Club charity. This initiative gives supporters the chance to see that impact firsthand and reminds us that football truly is a force for good.”  

Find out more about Cardiac Rehabilitation here – https://derbycountycommunitytrust.com/what-we-do/cardiac-rehab/

Find out more about the Neurological Disorders programme here –  https://derbycountycommunitytrust.com/what-we-do/neurological-disorders/