TESTIMONIALS
"My first session was pre-lockdown and I was a little anxious beforehand. I wanted to meet new people as I am relatively new to the local area. What I enjoy now is that it is a consistent social activity and all the guys who turn up are spot on. It's also a good opportunity to talk about mental health if I ever needed to speak out." - Oliver Ryan
"My first session was back in March time just before the lockdown period. I had seen a post advertising Kick Start FC on Facebook and thought I would give it a try. I have always enjoyed playing football and the guys who turn up are a good laugh I have enjoyed coming to the sessions. It’s also a great way to speak out if you have anything on your mind. I would totally recommend it." - Rob Yates
TESTIMONIALS
"My first session was pre-lockdown and I was a little anxious beforehand. I wanted to meet new people as I am relatively new to the local area. What I enjoy now is that it is a consistent social activity and all the guys who turn up are spot on. It's also a good opportunity to talk about mental health if I ever needed to speak out." - Oliver Ryan
"My first session was back in March time just before the lockdown period. I had seen a post advertising Kick Start FC on Facebook and thought I would give it a try. I have always enjoyed playing football and the guys who turn up are a good laugh I have enjoyed coming to the sessions. It’s also a great way to speak out if you have anything on your mind. I would totally recommend it." - Rob Yates
How do I talk about my mental health?
Putting your feelings into words is sometimes difficult. It’s perfectly normal to be worried that you might say the wrong thing or explain it badly. It’s also natural to feel anxious that your loved one or friend might think your mental health is worse than you might feel it is.
Try not to worry – talking about your mental health is incredibly important when it comes to getting the right support for you and with the right preparation the conversation can be easier than you think it might be. Here are a few tips on how to talk about your mental health.
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HOME TACKLING THE MIND
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We know that taking the first step can sometimes be the hardest
Walking into a new environment, meeting unfamiliar people, or joining a group for the first time can feel daunting at the best of times. When you're experiencing poor mental health, loneliness, anxiety, low confidence, or social isolation, those first steps can feel even harder. That is exactly why Football Therapy exists.
At Kick Start FC, we believe football can be much more than a sport. It can be a tool for connection, recovery, confidence, and belonging. Our Football Therapy sessions are designed to create safe, welcoming spaces where people can improve their wellbeing through physical activity, social interaction, and community support.
There is no pressure to perform, no expectation of ability, and no judgement. Whether someone has played football their entire life or never kicked a ball before, everyone is welcomed equally. Because Football Therapy isn't really about football - It's about people
Football has a unique ability to bring people together. When people share a pitch, work towards a common goal, celebrate successes, and support one another through challenges, meaningful connections begin to form naturally. Unlike traditional support settings, football creates an environment where conversations happen organically and friendships develop without pressure.
For many participants, football simply becomes the vehicle that brings them through the door. Some people join because they enjoy playing football. Others attend because they want to become more active. Some come because they are feeling isolated and want to meet new people. Others arrive because they are struggling with their mental health and are looking for a positive outlet.
Whatever the reason, everyone quickly discovers that Football Therapy is about far more than the game itself. It is about finding a community where you feel accepted, supported, and understood.
Football Therapy Session Information
Men's Football Therapy
Thursdays
Multipurpose Astroturf
Tidworth, SP9 7BN
19:00-20:00
FREE
Open to aged 16 and over
Men's Football Therapy
Thursdays
Knights Enham Jr School
Andover, SP9 7BN
19:15-20:15
FREE
Open to aged 16 and over
Women's Football Therapy
Thursdays
Multipurpose Astroturf
Tidworth, SP9 7BN
20:15-21:15
FREE
Open to aged 16 and over
Walking Football Therapy
Wednesdays
Multipurpose Astroturf
Tidworth, SP9 7BN
18:45-19:45
FREE
Open to aged 16 and over
The connection between physical activity and mental health is well established. When we exercise, our bodies release chemicals that help regulate mood, reduce stress, and improve emotional wellbeing. Regular physical activity can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve sleep quality, increase energy levels, and support overall mental resilience. However, the benefits of Football Therapy extend beyond exercise alone.
Many people who experience mental health challenges also struggle with motivation, routine, confidence, or social connection. Football Therapy combines physical activity with peer support and community engagement, creating an environment where participants can benefit from multiple aspects of wellbeing at the same time. The result is often far more powerful than exercise alone.
Mental health difficulties can often affect how people see themselves. People may lose confidence, withdraw from activities they once enjoyed, or begin to feel disconnected from others around them. Everyday tasks can become more difficult, and over time this can lead to feelings of frustration, loneliness, or a loss of purpose.
Football Therapy helps people reconnect with positive experiences.
Attending a session creates routine and structure. Taking part in activities encourages personal achievement. Supporting teammates and being supported in return helps rebuild confidence and self-belief. Small successes matter.
For some people, success may be attending a session for the first time. For others, it may be speaking to someone new, joining in an activity, or simply leaving the house after a difficult week. These moments may seem small to others, but they can represent significant steps forward on someone's wellbeing journey.
One of the biggest challenges affecting mental wellbeing today is loneliness.
Many people feel disconnected from their communities, friendships, or support networks. This can have a significant impact on both mental and physical health.
At Kick Start FC, we regularly see how powerful genuine human connection can be. Football naturally creates opportunities for interaction. Conversations happen before sessions, during breaks, and after games. People begin to recognise familiar faces, develop friendships, and become part of a supportive community.
Over time, these connections often extend beyond the football pitch itself.
Participants begin checking in on one another, celebrating successes together, and offering support during difficult periods. For many people, this sense of belonging becomes one of the most valuable aspects of Football Therapy.
One of the most powerful outcomes of Football Therapy is its ability to encourage open conversations around mental health.
Talking about mental health is not always easy. Many people worry about being judged, misunderstood, or becoming a burden to others.
Football can help break down those barriers. When people are active, relaxed, and surrounded by others who have faced similar challenges, conversations often feel more natural. There is no expectation to share personal experiences, but many participants find comfort in knowing they are surrounded by people who understand.
The simple realisation that others have faced similar struggles can be incredibly powerful. It helps reduce stigma, normalises conversations around mental health, and reminds people that support is available.
At its heart, Football Therapy is about community.
It is about creating an environment where people feel valued regardless of their background, circumstances, or current challenges. It is about celebrating progress rather than perfection. It is about recognising that recovery looks different for everyone. And most importantly, it is about ensuring that nobody has to face life's challenges alone.
Every week at Kick Start FC, we see people build confidence, develop friendships, improve their wellbeing, and rediscover parts of themselves that they thought they had lost.
That is the true power of Football Therapy. Football may bring people together, but it is connection, support, and community that help people move forward.
Because sometimes the most important thing isn't the game being played on the pitch.It's knowing that someone is there beside you.
Charity Partners
Kick Start FC is a charitable incorporated organisation
Registered Charity Number 1203577
Affiliated to the Wiltshire Football Association