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Wiltshire FA Grassroots Award

Winner 2026

We are incredible proud to announce that Kick Start FC has been been named the winner of the Wiltshire FA Inclusive Football and Community Award.

This award is a huge honour for everyone involved with Kick Start FC and recognises the work we are doing to make football a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for people experiencing poor mental health, mental illness and social isolation.

From the very beginning, our aim has been to use the power of football to help people take that first step towards better mental wellbeing. Our Football Therapy sessions provide an environment where people can come along, be themselves, meet others and enjoy football without judgement or pressure. For some, it might simply be an hour on the pitch. For others, it can be the first time in a long time that they have felt comfortable being around other people.

But our work doesn't stop when the final whistle goes.

Through Kick Start FC In The Community, we continue to take our message beyond the football pitch through community events, Walk & Talk groups, mental health awareness activities, workshops and opportunities to connect with others.

We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy football, regardless of their mental health, circumstances or previous experiences. Our sessions are built around creating a safe, inclusive and non-judgemental environment where people can come along exactly as they are.

There is no expectation that someone has to talk about their mental health. There is no pressure to be the best player on the pitch. The most important thing is simply being there. Sometimes, that first step is the hardest one to take.

Although the award carries the Kick Start FC name, it belongs to everyone who has played a part in our journey. It belongs to the volunteers who give up their time, the people who attend our sessions, the organisations and partners who support what we do, and every person who has helped us spread the message that talking about mental health should be as natural as talking about football.

We are incredibly grateful to Wiltshire FA for recognising our work and for supporting our vision of creating a more inclusive football community. Winning this award is something we will take a moment to celebrate, but it also motivates us to keep going.

There are still people in our communities who feel isolated, people who are struggling with their mental wellbeing and people who don't know where to turn.

We want Kick Start FC to continue being a place where people can take that first step. Whether that first step is onto a football pitch, along a walking route, into a community event or simply starting a conversation, we want to be there to help people take it.

We’re incredibly proud to be recognised by Wiltshire FA, but our biggest achievement will always be seeing people walk through our doors, onto our pitches and back into their communities.