MAIN AREAS OF OPERATION

 

HEALTH & WELFARE - OUR CORE PURPOSE

When Neil Rioch founded the Aston Villa FPA in January 1995, its core purpose was then and still remains to provide support to former players in need. Initially, this support was very much limited to those requiring help with medical or serious financial problems, and we are beholden to The PFA for their unswerving support and financial assistance to former players in these two key areas.

Today, the 'Health & Welfare' operation of the Aston Villa FPA, headed by former club Physiotherapist Jim Walker (pictured right), has progressed markedly and now works across a wide range of areas of importance and need to former players, which includes access to:

• Funding for medical treatment and/or surgical operations
• Support for those suffering severe financial hardship
• Professional services support, including legal and financial
• Professional counselling and/or therapy services
• Respite support for the wives/family of former players that require 24/7 home care
• Fast-track assistance for permanent care home accommodation that prevents families separating
• Support to bereaved families and assistance with funeral arrangements and communications, including liaison with former players, Aston Villa FC, and the media
• The set up of Trust Funds with independent trustees for former players who have been diagnosed with terminal illness
• Help with DSS benefits and claims procedures, including Disability benefits
• Funding for re-education, skills training and alternative career opportunities
• Assistance with career contingency planning for former Aston Villa players of whatever age
• The 'Sporting Chance Clinic' for professional support and treatment for those experiencing addiction
• Comprehensive Insurance covers for all engaged in Aston Villa FPA sporting activities

In addition, we are also assisting:

• Nottingham University researching the adverse affects of osteoarthritis in former professional footballers
• Newcastle University researching premature dementia & Alzheimer's in former professional footballers

The Aston Villa FPA is now seeking to obtain registered charity status, which when achieved, will allow the Aston Villa FPA to generate substantially more funds with which to greatly enhance the delivery of our core purpose. Furthermore, we will be looking to dedicate more resources to a programme of 'prevention'.

The World Health Organisation defined health as being "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity".

It is our aim to ensure all former players are in "good health".