A dedicated football coach who set up training sessions to help children develop confidence has expanded the operation to get grown men and women through 'Covid depression'.

Window cleaner Dwayne McKenzie, 36, who lives in Iver, started his Confidence Through Football sessions for children last year - winning this year's Berks and Bucks FA 2020 Youth Sports Coach of the year award

Then the Covid virus struck.

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Dwayne said: "I realised that it was not just children being affected.

"Everyone's mental health was suffering - domestic abuse was on the rise.

"People of all ages needed physical activity and football could provide that."

So he set up training sessions for women as soon as outdoor sport was allowed again, quickly followed by sessions for men - both run at Langley College on Thursdays.

He has organised professional coaches and charges a modest £5 for each session.

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Slough Observer: Dwayne said: "We have woman aged from 25 to 50 and beyond taking part in the sessions and we have been able to contribute £2,000 to domestic abuse survivors by donating some of the money raised.

"Money raised by the men's sessions goes to Sporting Minds."

One mum who trains with the ladies' group said: “When I moved up here I moved away from all my family and friends and everything I know.

"Now I feel like I have got a family up here”

The sessions have had to be on Zoom during recent lockdown but as restrictions are eased this week it is planned to resume them live.

Dwayne hopes to expand activities even more.

Confidence Through Football plans to set up further mental health football hubs with mixed sessions and 'girls only' sessions which girls head coach Katie Taylor is leading - with players hopefully forming teams capable of playing at junior level

There are also plans to turn help the men’s and ladies sessions develop into weekend teams.

To find out more visit https://www.facebook.com/Confidence-Through-Football-103887720959814/ or call 07864 787827.