Pioneering mental health programme in football clubs put at risk of closure
APIONEERING programme run in association with football clubs that has seen remarkable improvements in the mental health of those participating is at risk of closure because of funding cuts.
We Wear The Same Shirt has so far been run by the FAW Trust – the grassroots branch of the Football Association of Wales – in partnership with four clubs.
People living with mental health conditions in the communities of Newtown and Merthyr Tydfil from November 2015, and Newport and Wrexham from June 2016 have been able to sign up to programmes delivered by the club’s top coaches, without charge.
The programme is intended to provide a safe and empathic environment for people with mental health problems to exercise and meet new people. Many of those taking part play football, while others participate in social events at the clubs.
An evaluation carried out into the Newport County programme by the Welsh Institute for Health and Social Care at the University of South Wales said: “Many of the players in the Newport team reported having serious mental health problems. Many also reported that being in the team improved their mental health, in terms of reduced stress and anxiety and improved mood. They also recognised the connection between their physical health and mental wellbeing.”
A further evaluation carried out by the same institute at all four centres contained comments from participants.
One from Wrexham said: “The team will embrace new people 100%; even if you don’t want to play, the social side can help you. People that didn’t want to talk at the beginning are some of the most talkative in the group – it’s brilliant to see how they’ve come out of themselves.”
A Newtown participant said: “It helps me letting off steam, makes me feel good about myself. Basically, coming to this football saved my life. I was always attempting suicide and self-harm. It helped a lot and has given me a lot of friends around here.”
Neil Ward, chief executive of the FAW Trust, said: “The programme has been extremely successful. We believe it makes total sense for the Welsh Government to invest some of its health budget in preventative schemes like this. Sadly, if there is no funding forthcoming, the programmes will have to close.”
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “Innovative programmes that use sport to promote good mental health are something we support. However, it is important that proper evaluation of projects is undertaken. This evaluation is being carried out by Sport Wales.”
A spokesman for Sport Wales said: “We know how effective being active is on improving both the physical and mental health of the nation. Sport Wales was pleased to be able to invest £104,000 over two years into Time to Change Wales and FAW Trust to run the We Wear the Same Shirt mental health awareness campaign and accompanying sessions. This formed part of our innovative Calls for Action investment programme, which sought to provide investment to look at new ways of tackling particular barriers to participation in physical activity.
“The project is currently being evaluated in order to fully understand its impact with a view to sharing this with partners.
“We know that those involved in the project have been in discussions with the health service about taking forward the programme and we have been keen to support these discussions.
“We believe that sport can play an important role in tackling mental health issues and stigma, but this can only be achieved through a partnership approach with Welsh Government, the health service and the wider sport sector.”