Blackburn Rovers collaborate with Multevo to tackle abuse

Blackburn Rovers have teamed up with back of shirt sponsor Multevo in a bid to tackle verbal and online abuse.

Rovers invited representatives from the award-winning local contractor down to the Senior Training Centre to create a video which aims to highlight the impact abuse has on individuals to encourage changed behaviours amongst the public.

Road workers face an ongoing and serious issue: abuse.

Whether it’s verbal insults or worse, these workers put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe, often encountering hostility simply because of the job they do. Sadly, this isn’t just a challenge on the roads, it’s something shared by footballers who face similar abuse, both online and in the stadium.

This common experience is something that must be addressed.

Multevo have grown to become a nationwide multi-faceted contractor, self-delivering a range of services in highways, traffic management, vegetation, arboriculture and civils. Now with well over 350 operatives, the business has received over 150 reports of physical or verbal abuse on site since the start of 2024. It’s time to change this.

Rovers proudly joined forces with Multevo to tackle this issue head-on.

In this campaign, Rovers duo Dom Hyam and Cauley Woodrow, alongside Multevo’s Traffic Management Operatives Tommy Gorman, Shane Lane and Jason Evans, came together to film a powerful video shedding light on the abuse faced by road workers and footballers alike.

The emotional and mental strain that abuse causes road workers is significant. Not only are they exposed to the stress of their high-risk job, but they also endure insults and threats from the public, which can lead to mental health challenges.

While roadworkers face abuse on the streets, footballers like Dom and Cauley endure their own form of abuse on the pitch. Whether it’s online abuse, discriminatory comments or verbal attacks from fans.

Cauley comments: “People don’t understand that as footballers we are just people. I think the human side of a footballer is forgotten about. So, if we don’t perform, we then get a lot of abuse.”

The connection between roadworkers and footballers is striking, both facing unacceptable abuse simply because of their roles.

What’s often overlooked is the mental health toll abuse can have.

For road workers and footballers, the impact of verbal and physical abuse can lead to stress, anxiety, depression and feelings of isolation. These aren’t just one-off occurrences, they are ongoing issues that affect individuals both on and off the job.

This campaign is not only about raising awareness, but also about promoting mental health support.

We need to ensure that those who put themselves in difficult, often dangerous situations - whether on the roads or in the world of football - have the support they need to manage the emotional fallout from abuse.

Jason explains how the pressures of the work and constant level of abuse from the public have made him contemplate quitting in the past: “I’ve felt like quitting, on the spot. There was a situation that made me feel like quitting and just giving up. I thought I can’t do this anymore.”

Every day, roadworkers and footballers face challenges that the public doesn’t always see. A moment of patience and understanding can make all the difference.

This campaign serves as a reminder that we should approach each other with respect, recognising that we're all working towards the same goal - making things better.

After hearing the severity of road worker abuse, Dom commented: “It’s opened my eyes, it’s crazy. I didn’t know the abuse was at a level of you having to wear body cameras.”

As we release this video, we urge everyone to think before they speak. Words can have a lasting impact and we all need to be more mindful of how our actions affect others - whether on the roads, in the stands or online.

If you or someone you know is dealing with the effects of abuse or is suffering mentally, you need to know there is support out there. For road workers, footballers or whatever career it may be, there are always services that exist to help manage the pressures of the job.

The full video is now live and available for you to watch on our website and across all our social media channels.

We are incredibly proud to be partnering with Multevo in this important campaign and are committed to raising awareness about the issue of abuse and supporting those who face it in their everyday work. Watch the video now to see how we can all make a difference.

As mentioned, there are always options of support should you or someone you know be suffering mentally. The following is a list of support options:

SamaritansAvailable 24/7 for confidential support. You can reach them at 116 123 or visit their website for more information: www.samaritans.org

MindA mental health charity providing support and advice. Visit their website for resources: www.mind.org.uk

NHS Mental Health ServicesThe NHS provides a range of mental health services, including helplines, therapy and local support. Visit www.nhs.uk/mental-health for more details.