Case Study: Bobby Philippou

Bobby Philippou has been a family carer since the age of 13, looking after both her parents. She dropped out of school before finishing her A Levels to continue looking after them. She trained to become a driving instructor to support herself and her parents but found the responsibility of looking after her own home, two disabled parents and her own business too much. She turned to drink and marijuana as a form of release and a method of coping with the stress.

Over time Bobby found that the drugs no longer helped her situation but compounded it, and "something had to give”. She found herself becoming increasingly depressed and isolated. She attended AA and NA meetings and was prescribed anti-depressants by her GP. She was in therapy and considered suicide. Over the years Bobby, now 44, attended a number of day hospitals and during the low points of her depression spent time as a recluse in her room.

Several years ago Bobby started to go to Canning Crescent Clinic for a variety of therapy sessions  including art, music and dance to help her with her depression and to get her socially active again. It wasn’t until she attended her first Street League session (via the 684 centre in Haringey) that she felt she had found something that interested her. She has always been interested in sport, used to play hockey and likes the social side of all sports.

“The first day with Street League was difficult for me but since then I have been to every session, I love it. I found football easy, I took to it, I could pass reasonably well and it helped me to develop my awareness levels. It is a good opportunity to get back into the real world and has given me a reason to get up in the morning. The people I have come across at Street League are gems, absolute stars. They have helped me to improve my confidence and self-esteem, and the female coaches have been fantastic role models for me.”

Due to the anti-depressant drugs Bobby was taking her weight had increased by 3 stone. The fitness involved in the Street League session helped to keep her fit and reduce her weight. “The first time I came the coach asked me to run around the pitch: “ what all of it!” I asked. The next time I came I ran round twice, then 3 times…”

Since getting involved with Street League Bobby has played for the 684 Ladies team, and she has made many friends with whom she now socialises regularly. She has also gone on to complete the Community Sports Leadership Award, FA Level 1 coaching and a route planning session to help her look ahead to the next steps in her life.

Bobby now trains twice a week with SL Ladies and the 684 Women’s team. She also plays competitively in the Top Corner league. She says, "I want to gain as much coaching knowledge as possible and would like to start my Level 2 coaching course soon. I learnt a great deal on the Level 1. I was inspired by working alongside young Academy players and could see the influence a coach can have on players. I get a real buzz working with players from scratch – older players who have never played before. To see the smile on their face makes it all worthwhile.”