Footballer uses poetry to help students open up

A former semi-professional footballer and fireman has turned to poetry in a bid to help young people with their mental health struggles.

Matt Hayden, from Great Barton, near Bury St Edmunds, has scored FA cup goals for Cambridgeshire side Histon.

The 33-year-old also works for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service.

But, after losing good friends to mental health issues and experiencing struggles of his own, he is touring schools, colleges and businesses.

"I have learnt to use poetry and writing to share my story and try and help others become more self-aware, empathetic and improve their social skills," said Hayden, who also used to work as a personal trainer.

"These skills, I believe, are the fundamentals of life."

Hayden's first session took place at Suffolk New College last week, following a staff v students basketball match.

He said he started to "self-reflect" after the deaths of people he grew up with and after his own "difficulties".

"This spurred me on to write poems and I have been slowly setting up my initiative, The Quiet Conversation, to help others through difficult times, using some of my poems as a starting point."

Hayden said he wanted to help young people become more aware of their emotions and not feel they had to push them down.

"We all have the voice in our heads that either encourages us, holds us back or says things we don't actually understand.

"I also think, that as adults, we feel we should have everything all figured out – but that is not the case at all.

"No-one really teaches you how to manage your emotions growing up."

Lee Mandley, director of service industries and science at Suffolk New College, said his team was "delighted" to host Hayden.

"The fact that he wants to help others on such important topics such as mental health is inspiring," said Mandley, who taught Hayden when he was younger.

Sports student Isaac Shaw, 17, from Kesgrave, said: "Matt has allowed us to feel that we can express ourselves to people if we are upset or feeling down."

Danielle Lucas, a health and social care lecturer at Suffolk New College, continued: "He talked about empathy and putting yourself in other people's shoes. I think a lot of students will reflect on that."

The students won the basketball match by 20 points.

Do you have a story suggestion for Suffolk? Contact us below.

Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.