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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Mental Health World
Cup 2026
Kick Start FC was proud to once again participate in the Mental Health World Cup, one of the UK's most inspiring charity football events, held this year at The Den, home of Millwall Football Club.
Since its launch, the Mental Health World Cup has brought together charities, businesses, community organisations, and football teams from across the country to raise awareness and vital funding for mental health services. Hosted at some of the UK's most iconic football stadiums, the tournament uses the power of sport to encourage conversations around mental health, challenge stigma, and promote positive wellbeing.
This year was particularly special, as the tournament introduced the inaugural Women's Mental Health World Cup. Kick Start FC was honoured to be part of this significant milestone, entering teams into both the men's and women's competitions and helping to champion greater visibility and support for mental health in sport.
Representing Belgium and Brazil, our teams were made up of service users and members of the Kick Start FC community. For many participants, it was their first opportunity to play football at a professional stadium, creating an unforgettable experience that extended far beyond the ninety minutes on the pitch.
The event provided players with the chance to build confidence, develop friendships, and be part of something truly meaningful. It was an opportunity to celebrate personal achievements, share experiences with others, and experience the unique sense of pride that comes from representing their team on a national stage.
While there were plenty of memorable moments on the pitch, the true success of the tournament lay in its ability to bring people together. The Mental Health World Cup demonstrates how football can be a powerful tool for improving wellbeing, reducing social isolation, and creating a sense of belonging. Across the two-day event, players, volunteers, supporters, and organisers united behind a shared commitment to improving mental health awareness and supporting those facing challenges in their lives.
The atmosphere throughout the tournament reflected many of the values that sit at the heart of Kick Start FC — inclusion, teamwork, encouragement, and community. Participants supported one another both on and off the pitch, demonstrating how sport can create safe, welcoming environments where people feel connected, valued, and understood.
The impact of the event was also felt far beyond the stadium. Through fundraising activities, sponsorship, auctions, and ticket sales, an incredible £107,000 was raised to support mental health organisations across the UK, including Beder, The Ollie Foundation, and Sport in Mind. These funds will help ensure that vital mental health services continue to reach individuals and communities who need them most.
We are incredibly proud of everyone who represented Kick Start FC at this year's tournament. Their enthusiasm, resilience, and support for one another embodied everything that the Mental Health World Cup stands for.
As an organisation, we remain committed to using football as a vehicle for positive mental health, community connection, and personal development. Events like the Mental Health World Cup demonstrate the life-changing impact that inclusive sport can have, providing opportunities for people to grow in confidence, improve their wellbeing, and realise their potential.
We would like to thank the organisers, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters who made the event possible and helped create such an inspiring experience for everyone involved.
To learn more about the Mental Health World Cup and the incredible work they do, please visit their website.
Charity Partners
Kick Start FC is a charitable incorporated organisation
Registered Charity Number 1203577
Affiliated to the Wiltshire Football Association