Leanne of the Tags!

Hashtag United volunteer Leanne Stevens believes getting involved with the club during the pandemic saved her son’s life.

A carer and single mum, Stevens was first introduced to Hashtag when her son Freddie, who is neurodivergent and wheelchair dependent, asked to go see a match.

This was a surprise to Leanne, with Freddie having never before expressed an interest in football. But he had been won over by the Essex club through their YouTube channel, and was eager to meet YouTuber and club founder Spencer. What followed from their visit to Parkside would last longer than 90 minutes, with Leanne and Freddie quickly becoming integrated within the family at the Isthmian League Premier Division side, breathing life into their social prospects at a time where both had been struggling. 

“We started at Hashtag just after lockdown and lockdown was a difficult time for us,” she said. “Freddie would probably say to you that Hashtag saves his life. 

“Academically, he's quite a bright child, but socially and emotionally, he’s not like your average 19-year-old at all. They've been amazing with him.

“Without Hashtag, I don't know where I'd be. My friends that I have now, I'm going on holiday with a family that I've met at Hashtag, we go out with friends who we’ve met at Hashtag. 

“All my friends that I've known forever, I'm doing more things with all my Hashtag people. It's really weird but it’s been amazing for Freddie and for me.”

Now staffing the front gates for Hashtag’s home games, Leanne is one of countless volunteers who play integral roles at non-league clubs across the country, with opportunities to get involved now available through the Pitching In Volunteer Hub.

Through entering their postcode, individuals can locate volunteering opportunities at nearby clubs and discover more details about which roles are available.

And while she almost stumbled upon the joys of non-league by accident, she hasn’t looked back since involving herself in the club - with matchdays now the highlight of her week.

She added: “It doesn't matter how I feel on a Friday night, whether I've had a bad week, a good week. I know who I'm going to see on Saturday and when I get up on Saturday morning, I just can't wait to get there. 

“I love it. I don't even see Freddie on a matchday until probably halfway through the second half. His independence has grown because he was someone I never let him out of my sight. 

“All the regular fans that I've become really close friends with have obviously got to know him. He literally just goes in, I do my gate, the first person that comes through the door takes him wherever he wants to go, and he's just part of them.”

To find volunteering opportunities near you, see: pitchinginvolunteers.co.uk

Image from Nashy Photo