adminUnder the soft glow of lights at Kassam Stadium, Will Vaulks sat waiting, a hint of nerves visible as the room slowly filled.
Among the attendees were several Oxford United figures, including Stan Mills, Michal Helik, Mark Harris, head coach Matt Bloomfield, and CEO Tim Williams, all gathered for an evening dedicated to raising awareness around mental health.
On Tuesday night, around 150 guests in OX4 came together for a powerful event centered on suicide prevention—an initiative Vaulks had long been developing alongside the ‘Can We Talk?’ campaign.
“It probably makes me even more nervous speaking tonight, especially in front of the lads you share the pitch with every day,” Vaulks admitted. “They see a different side of me here, and I’m really thankful they showed up to support.”
The venue was filled with Oxford United shirts as Vaulks took the stage alongside the club’s head of PR and media, Ryan Maher, Baton of Hope founder Mike McCarthy, and clinical director Ben Wilson.
Maher opened the evening with a heartfelt account of a friend’s mental health struggles, setting a deeply personal tone. McCarthy followed, sharing how Baton of Hope was founded and its mission to drive meaningful change in suicide prevention. Visibly emotional, he recounted his own experiences before commending Oxford United’s efforts and introducing Vaulks, calling the club “pioneers.”
Vaulks, a key figure in the U’s midfield, has been actively involved in community outreach this year, visiting schools across Oxfordshire to promote mental health awareness. His passion is rooted in personal tragedy, having lost both grandfathers to suicide during his teenage years—an experience that continues to fuel his commitment to helping others.
His football journey has been marked by both triumph and hardship, from periods of isolation during his time at Falkirk, to a breakthrough at Cardiff City, and a dramatic, disallowed goal at Wembley while playing for Sheffield Wednesday.
During his spell at Rotherham, Vaulks volunteered at a hospice for the first time—an experience that reshaped his perspective, highlighting the deeper realities of life beyond football.
Throughout his talk, he struck a balance between raw honesty and light humour, even sharing a few playful jabs, creating a connection with the audience while addressing serious themes with clarity and compassion.
The evening concluded with remarks from Baton of Hope’s clinical director, Ben Wilson, followed by a Q&A session. The impact was immediate—guests engaged openly, offering ideas and asking thoughtful questions. One attendee even spoke about launching a men’s mental health support group elsewhere in Oxfordshire.
The energy in the room made it clear that this was more than just a one-off event. It marked the beginning of continued efforts, with both Oxford United and Vaulks determined to build on the momentum and make a lasting difference in the community.
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