PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Keeping physically active is fundamental to success in football, but it also has mental and physical wellbeing benefits for anyone of any age.
Our bodies release feel-good hormones when we keep active, improving our mood while also reducing the risk of disease and illness. Keeping physically fit is therefore important for all of us, and there are a number of ways for all ages and abilities to keep active through Maidenhead United and the Maidenhead United Community Trust.
Two of our CALM Partners also highlighted the importance of being active. The BA Partnership shared the following insight as to how they ensure their employees remain moving throughout the working day.
Emma Montgomerie, head of employee experience, also discussed how physical activity is important to Wilson Partners in the following interview:
Why did Wilson Partners choose to partner with Maidenhead United, and what does this sponsorship mean to your business personally and professionally?
Yes, our MD Allan Wilson is a football fan. But this partnership is about more than sport.
Maidenhead is where Wilson Partners began, and 17 years later, it’s still a huge part of who we are. The town, its people, and its spirit have shaped who we are.
MUFC is at the centre of the community. It brings together local businesses, families, volunteers, and fans, all connected by a shared pride in the town. That’s why it makes sense for us to work closely with the club.
For me personally, I feel proud to be part of a business that chooses to make a positive impact. Even in a small way, being involved with MUFC’s community work brings genuine joy — it’s real, it matters, and it’s something I value.
How important is mental health and wellbeing to Wilson Partners as an organisation, and how do you support it internally?
We care about our team as people, not just professionals. That’s why mental health and wellbeing have always been a priority.
In 2019, we set up an internal wellbeing team dedicated to promoting awareness and support across the business. They meet regularly to plan initiatives — from mindfulness sessions and coffee mornings to summer rounders tournaments and wellbeing workshops. It’s about creating time and space to connect, switch off, and support each other.
We also have trained mental health first aiders across the team. Their role is simple: to listen, to notice when something’s not quite right, and to be there when someone needs support — whether it’s a bad day or something more serious.
We don’t want anyone to feel like they need to deal with their mental health alone, work can be stressful and life can be unpredictable, but we’re here to support our team through any ups and downs.
Do you encourage your team members to stay physically active, and if so, how?
At Wilson Partners, we know that staying active isn’t just good for the body, it’s great for the mind too.
Over the years, we’ve taken part in several team challenges, including GoJoe. It’s a fun, app-based competition where every bit of movement — from dog walks to gym sessions — counts towards team points. The friendly rivalry always brings out the best in us, and feedback has been consistent: people move more when GoJoe is on.
We also have a run club that’s been going since the early days of Wilson Partners. Whether it’s a quick 5k before work, a lunchtime jog, or an evening wind-down, it’s a simple way for the team to stay active together.
And then there are the big challenges. Since 2022, we’ve tackled the Three Peaks, got muddy at Tough Mudder, and next up is the Thames Bridges Trek in September 2025, in support of CALM.
It’s not about personal bests, it’s about coming together, taking care of ourselves, and having a good time doing it.
In your view, how does physical activity – whether playing or watching sports – support good mental health?
Sport is great for bringing people together, giving us shared goals and moments. It’s all about connection whether that’s on the pitch participating or on the sidelines spectating, it creates talking points, shared experiences and a sense of belonging.
How does being involved with a local football club like Maidenhead United help you build community and foster a sense of belonging?
Maidenhead is where Wilson Partners began — and still being part of this town means a lot to us. Supporting MUFC isn’t just a sponsorship, it’s a way to stay connected to our roots.
The club offers far more than football. From inclusive coaching sessions to social initiatives that tackle loneliness, it’s a place where people of all ages and backgrounds can feel part of something.
That sense of belonging, of turning up and being welcomed, whatever your reason for being there. It’s exactly the kind of community spirit we value at Wilson Partners.
We’re proud to support a club that brings people together and makes a difference.
Do you see a connection between the teamwork and resilience found in sport and those same qualities in business life?
At Wilson Partners, we always say “it’s all about the people” — and we mean it. Without a strong, connected team, we simply wouldn’t be where we are today.
It’s the same in sport. Success doesn’t happen without people pulling in the same direction, backing each other, and showing up when it counts. Whether on the pitch or in the office, collaboration is what drives progress.
Resilience plays a big role too. It’s not always obvious in the moment, but when you look back — after a big project or a tough year — that’s when you see it. In both sport and business, resilience is about handling setbacks, learning from them, and moving forward with purpose.
What role do you think businesses should play in promoting physical activity and mental health, both in the workplace and the community?
Workplaces bring together a mix of people, all with different relationships to physical activity and mental health. Some love to stay active. Others might not know where to start.
That’s where businesses can play a positive role — by making space for wellbeing, being vocal about its importance, and showing that looking after yourself isn’t just encouraged, it’s supported.
At Wilson Partners, we believe in creating an environment where trying something new — whether it’s a lunchtime run, a wellbeing session, or simply talking more openly about mental health — feels accessible and normal.
And it doesn’t stop at the office door. By supporting community initiatives and local groups that focus on inclusion, movement and connection, businesses can help create a wider ripple effect.
Finally, what message would you share with other local businesses about the value of supporting community sport and wellbeing initiatives?
Local initiatives create real value: they bring people together, build confidence, tackle isolation, and offer moments of joy and belonging. As a business, being part of that is incredibly rewarding.
At Wilson Partners, we’ve seen first-hand how supporting something like MUFC goes beyond sponsorship. It’s about connection — with the town, with people, and with something bigger than ourselves.
To other businesses, we’d simply say this: you don’t have to do it all, but you can do something. And often, that something makes a real difference.
Give where you can. Show up when it matters. Back the people doing the hard work in your community — because the returns aren’t just measured in profit, but in pride.
To cap off the 2024/25 season, we held our annual fundraiser in aid of CALM, with this year's event taking place at Maidenhead Golf Club! Find out more about the day including how we raised more than £5,600 for CALM!
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