SEAN Margison’s role as the head of health and wellbeing at the Barnsley FC Community Trust has impacted the lives of so many locals - but he says they’ve helped him too.

The 55-year-old who lives at Woolley Colliery has been in the role for the last six years but has worked alongside the trust in various capacities for even longer.

He runs sessions such as Fit Reds and Reminiscent Reds - a group which helps people with dementia.

That group has recently become more open to support people who are suffering from social isolation - and he says he loves doing what he does.

He told the Chronicle: “We do loads of different things for the community.

“I work on the Reminiscent Reds group which is for people who are living with dementia and more recently to support people with social isolation.

“We do loads of games and football and things like that as well.

“There’s lots of support for people.”

It’s more than just a job for Sean who goes above and beyond for all those who attend his groups - but he says that the same people he supports are helping him as well.

“I set up a WhatsApp group so that people would be able to stay connected outside of the sessions,” he added.

“These people have now got a real support network around them.

“It’s hard work and you’ve got people messaging at all hours so you’re never really switched off - but it’s good to know that you’re helping people.

“I want people to know that I’m here for them but it’s also the case that they’re there for me, too.

“I’ve had a tough couple of years and they’ve shown me a lot of support.

“I would consider the majority of the people who come to the sessions as friends, not just participants.”

Sean originally thought it was a joke that he’d been nominated in the Community Hero category in this year’s Proud of Barnsley awards.

But he added: “It’s nice that people have nominated me.

“It shows that we must be doing something right.”

And that’s clear to see as almost a dozen people have nominated Sean for the award.

Phil Hall, who attends three of the groups that Sean runs, said: “Sean is employed by Barnsley FC Community Trust and in this capacity he runs many groups in the local area, amongst which are exercise groups, walking groups, dementia groups, walking football and cricket groups, mental health groups, postnatal groups and social isolation groups.

“He is totally committed to improving the physical and mental health of people of all ages in the Barnsley community and goes above and beyond his day-to-day work to help people when they have problems and difficulties.

“He is always approachable, genuinely concerned with the health and well-being of members of the local community, and for this reason I believe that he fully deserves a nomination as a Community Hero.”

Another nomination from Suzanne Glover said: “I started attending Reminiscent Reds with my husband Frank in 2022.

“He had dementia but was always happy going to the football club as his company used to have an executive box at the ground.

“Sadly, Frank died last year but I continue going to the group as Sean and the other group members encouraged me to do so.

“Sean is kind, thoughtful, and very understanding of our different needs.

“The atmosphere is so friendly which makes me so happy, and Sean’s group is the highlight of my week.

“It is nice to be able to attend a group where a woman on her own can feel totally safe and relaxed in mixed company.”

Julie Hall added: “I have volunteered with Sean for almost four years now.

“He is probably the most caring, friendly and kind person you will ever meet.

“The Reminiscent Reds group at Barnsley Football Club is fun, friendliness, and general all-round compassion for all the group members.

“He is someone who can relate to anyone no matter what their circumstances.

“At our group we have people who have learning difficulties, some with dementia and their carers and some people who are on their own and just enjoy the company.

“Some of those with dementia have sadly passed away but the carers keep coming because of how friendly the group is, and we all feel safe in the hands of Sean who runs the group.”