Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
Tarik takes great Minds and turns it into powerhouse
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT CLUB GROWS OVER YEAR
AFTER starting a project to provide mental health support for adults in his community, Kensington local Tarik Kaidi was simply hoping to fill a gap he saw in his surroundings.
However, since starting Minds United FC in the summer of 2019, the small project Tarik began is quickly growing into a national powerhouse for mental health support through sport.
This summer, a year on from its formation, the project has celebrated winning funding grants, partnering with the council and community organisations and, most prominently, an FA Coach of the Year award.
Tarik was awarded FA Grassroots Coach of the Year award for developing Minds United FC into a essential service provider for adults struggling with ill-mental health.
“It’s nice to get the recognition for all the hard work and effort I’ve put in,” Tarik said.
He added: “Hopefully next year we can get a club award, because that means more to me to get one for the club than myself.”
Tarik admitted that when he started out he never expected to reach the level of being celebrated by the FA, but the west London coach who dreams of one day having a Minds United FC stadium, said quality sessions and team unity has driven the fortune of the club.
Tarik said: “I wouldn’t class myself as a success story, but I will say this – from the beginning it was all about delivery.
“First of all there was a big need for it. We’ve had more than 40 people attending our sessions since June.
“I’m a qualified coach, so I’ve had experience of coaching for three years that helped me become more than a coach to the players, but actually a friend.”
This approach shone through in Minds United FC’s annual awards ceremony last month, which saw players receive awards for their contributions to the club through its first year.
Tarik, who struggles with depression, praised the award ceremony for further unifying the team, who he said “make the project what it is”.
Minds United FC continues to be all about its players, even in its partnerships, by opening up opportunities for members to take on refereeing jobs and be involved in community leadership programmes. With the success of this year, even through the challenges of coronavirus, Minds United FC still plans for even better achievements.
Tarik said: “We never put barriers on who can attend our sessions. Anyone 18-plus with mental health issues can join. We’re trying to get out there so more people can find out about our project, or maybe it can help someone they know.”
Minds United FC are now on their way to becoming an official health partner of a west London NHS trust, as well as partnering with hospitals to offer their services to patients who have been recently released. With their ever growing team, Minds United FC will next season have to expand from one team in the Middlesex FA North West London Mental Health Football League to possibly two or three, Tarik said.
In the near future a dedicated community space is on the wish-list for the club, but with their continued effort to support west London’s vulnerable adults, the Minds United FC stadium could also be around the corner.
We’re trying to get out there so more people can find out about our project, or maybe it can help someone they know