Player programme’s mental health boost
● A WIDNES Vikings initiative supporting adults with mental health concerns has been renewed for another year.
The Player programme is delivered by the Vikings in partnership with North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and NHS Halton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).
The programme takes place at the Select Security Stadium every Tuesday from 5pm to 6pm.
Vikings community director Richard Munson said: “Player is a fantastic programme that has proven to make a real difference to people with mental health concerns.
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to build on this success with the programme being renewed for a further year.
“We’d like to thank North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust for this opportunity.”
It gives participants opportunities to take part in social and fitness activities.
In doing so, it supports people to make new friendships, have fun and develop peer-support networks. Sessions are delivered by the Vikings specialist community team and have been supported by the Widnes first team stars.
North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Simon Barber said: “I am delighted that our partnership with Widnes Vikings on the Player programme will continue for a further year. So many of our service users in the borough of Halton benefitted from the programme last year that we just had to renew our support.”
“The programme uses sport to promote the health and wellbeing of adults who have experienced mental health concerns, and emphasises the connection between good physical wellbeing and good mental wellbeing.
“The opportunity to exercise in an elite team’s Performance Centre with qualified coaches is a real privilege.”
Dave Sweeney is the chief operating officer of NHS Halton CCG.
He said: “Player offers an innovative approach to supporting people with mental health concerns and has had fantastic feedback from participants.
“We are pleased to see that the programme will continue to grow over the year ahead.”