In February 2020, we launched our Football Therapy sessions with the purpose of providing peer support to men and women who suffer with poor mental health or mental ill health. By using football and the ethos of 'tackling the mind', we are providing participants the fundamentals to break down barriers and begin their journey to understanding mental health. This includes getting active, improving knowledge of mental health, and offering a support network in times of crisis. Playing football can help improve symptoms of mental health issues such as depression and stress, offer an increase in self-esteem levels, and can also help to reduce anxiety. For some people, physical activity such as playing football can be just as powerful as medicine or therapy. Exercise releases natural chemicals like dopamine, serotonin and endorphins that help you feel good. 

Our football therapy sessions are open to anyone aged 16 and over, and we welcome all footballing abilities and fitness levels; even if you have never played football before. Each session is run by a group of volunteers who are trained in First Aid for Mental Health or hold a minimum of FA Level One Coaching Badge. The volunteer's role is to ensure that the football pitch remains a 'safe space' for everyone in attendance and that everyone leaves the session in a better mindset than when they arrived.