Sutton’s group helps Kieran obtain his objectives

MAN v FAT member Kieran Reynolds has been main the best way on the subject of speaking about his lived expertise with autism, dyspraxia and dyslexia.

Kieran, who has simply celebrated his first yr as a member with MAN v FAT Sutton, was not too long ago invited to current in entrance of a gaggle at Sutton Psychological Well being Basis, the place he additionally volunteers.

He spoke about his lived experiences and in addition how MAN v FAT has supported his well being and wellbeing over the previous twelve months.

We caught up together with his coach Nicola Stearn and with Kieran himself to search out out extra.

KIERAN’S ANSWERS

How has MAN v FAT supported you to realize your weight reduction and wellbeing objectives?

My weight is one thing I had been acutely aware about for a very long time. Earlier makes an attempt to drop some pounds had largely been unsuccessful, partly as a result of I’d attempt to be excellent. I’d then lose motivation after I was struggling and find yourself going again to dangerous habits. I’ve at all times been enthusiastic about soccer and having the ability to mix weight much less with certainly one of my particular pursuits made an enormous distinction. I additionally discovered it very useful to satisfy others who’re occurring the identical weight reduction journey and we’re capable of help one another.

A part of my motivation for becoming a member of to enhance my psychological well being and meet new folks. After I signed up for MAN v FAT in Might 2025, my psychological well being was in dangerous place. I used to be discovering it troublesome to encourage myself to satisfy new folks and take a look at new issues.

Attending our classes on a Friday evening has allowed me to satisfy so many individuals in a structured atmosphere which has been extraordinarily useful. I used to be unable to play between October and March on account of sickness and surgical procedure however I’d come down on a Friday evening after I was nicely sufficient so I may proceed to be a part of the membership and this was extraordinarily useful throughout my restoration.

How supportive have Nicola and the remainder of the group been in serving to you along with your further wants?

After I first joined MAN v FAT, I used to be undecided what to anticipate. When Nicola contacted me after I signed up, I instructed her that I used to be Autistic, Dyslexic and Dyspraxic. She reassured me that I’d be welcome and supported. She additionally supplied clear steerage of what to anticipate. Nicola and her assistant coaches Adam and Tom have been extremely supportive since I joined and have at all times been prepared to speak and talk about something with me when wanted.

My first captain, Owen, additionally did rather a lot to assist me settle in and launched me to others on the membership. He additionally inspired me to attend social occasions exterior of our common Friday classes and made positive I used to be welcome.

I might be first to confess that I’m not a very good footballer. Dyspraxia impacts my coordination and motor abilities. My childhood desires of emulating my childhood soccer hero Alan Shearer had been brief lived! Regardless of this, everybody has been extraordinarily understanding and I’ve by no means felt undesirable.

How a lot has the load loss meant to you and the way has it improved your bodily and psychological well being?

I handed my 15% milestone in December, simply over six months after becoming a member of. After I attended my first session final Might, I used to be struggling to maneuver across the pitch and was not capable of final very lengthy earlier than going off. Since then I’ve turn into much more cellular and I’m beginning to turn into extra assured about my physique.

I used to be extraordinarily self acutely aware about my weight earlier than I joined and I’m now ready to take a look at images of myself with out cringing. I now have a wholesome blood stress which had not been the case for years. I nonetheless have ambitions to lose extra weight however I really feel so a lot better already and this has undoubtedly had a constructive influence on each my bodily and psychological well being.

NICOLA’S ANSWERS

How have you ever and your group supported Kieran to make sure he’s taken care of appropriately within the membership?

We’ve supported Kieran by creating an atmosphere the place he feels protected, understood, and included. As a membership, we’ve taken time to find out about his particular person wants, preferences, and any triggers which will trigger him discomfort or anxiousness. This has allowed us to adapt our method – for instance, by giving clear directions, sustaining constant routines, and offering additional time when wanted.

Throughout the membership, we’ve inspired consciousness and understanding in order that different members are supportive and inclusive, serving to Kieran really feel like a valued a part of the group.

General, my predominant focus as coach has been on guaranteeing he is not only accommodated, however genuinely included and capable of take pleasure in his time on the membership. And I wish to assume his psychological well being that was poor when he joined the membership, has improved considerably and we’ve been capable of assist with that. And his weight reduction has been unimaginable, most not too long ago hitting his 15%.

What experiences of supporting autism did you’ve got previous to assembly Kieran and the way has this developed by working with him?

Previous to assembly Kieran, my expertise of supporting autism was primarily private, as I’ve a two-year-old Freya who’s at present on the pathway to being recognized with autism. By this, I had already began to develop an understanding of the challenges and variations in communication, behaviour, and sensory wants that may be related to autism. It has helped me turn into extra affected person, observant, and conscious of the significance of routine and clear communication.

Nonetheless, working with Kieran has additional developed my understanding in a sensible setting. It has proven me how necessary it’s to adapt approaches to swimsuit the person, as autism presents otherwise in every particular person. I’ve realized to be extra versatile in how I talk, give directions, and reply to conditions, in addition to the significance of making a supportive and inclusive atmosphere.

This expertise has strengthened each my confidence and my empathy. It has allowed me to use what I’m studying in my private life whereas additionally creating new abilities in a staff atmosphere, serving to me higher help people with further wants now and sooner or later.

Need to know extra?

An enormous thanks to Nicola and Kieran for his or her solutions and for bringing this nice story to our consideration. We want Kieran each success together with his ongoing weight reduction and time with the membership!

If you wish to learn extra concerning the Sutton Psychological Well being Basis, you’ll be able to go to their web site. To join MAN v FAT Sutton, go to their membership homepage!