community involvement
Tackle-It Kick Out Stigma - Community Involvement
So what’s been done so far to combat this stigma and to combat mental illness?
Burley Trojans Football Club
Burley Trojan's return home after years at Ilkley
THE tight-nit community feel is back once again in Burley, after the ladies returned to their stomping ground, leaving behind their temporary Ilkley home.
Burley’s women side, the Trojans, have been welcomed back with open arms by the rest of the club, and in line with that, the spirits are high, and an important message is being spread.
The club’s senior, veteran and junior sides will potentially form together this summer to form one club, so a unique “all as one” bond is formed within the community.
A long with that, Trojan’s coach Tony Gill, who is an expert in the topic of mental health, is also keen to portray the message “mental health matters.”
With the buzz back in Burley, and an important message to be told, discussing the return, head-coach Gill, said: When we came back to Burley, it was like, it’s where we should have been.
“We’ve returned home.
“The club itself, Burley Juniors, have welcomed us back with open arms. We’ve joined forces and merged, the seniors and juniors together.
“Hopefully in the summer, the Burley Juniors section and the Senior section (men and women) will form together, to form one big club, as it should be.
“We are going to develop things in the community. We are looking for more coaches and more volunteers so there’s a community feel there.
“In the whole community of Burley, we want to make it something really special.
“I’m thankful for Ilkley for allowing us to play there, however we are back where we belong. This is where we should be.”
In line with the return, Gill is keen to portray the message, “Mental health matters”, with the subject close to his heart.
The recent friendly against Thackley’s Women Reserves, saw both sides come together to raise awareness, for mental health charity, ‘It’s Worth Talking About’.
Speaking on the matter, Gill said: “We want to push, to get this message across to people in the community.
“I think it’s something that needs to be highlighted and addressed. Too many people don’t know anything about it, and just brush it under the carpet.
“The message is pretty clear. It is ‘Worth Talking About’ and it means that every individual, no matter who they are, nobody’s life is that unimportant, that it’s not worth talking about.”
The Trojans also took part in the social media boycott over the weekend, in a stand up against discrimination, along with other sporting clubs in the country.
Giving his thoughts on the boycott, Gill said: “We fully support the fact that discrimination shouldn’t occur in any shape or form of life, not just football. I think that the way some people go on social media and use it as a form to discriminate, I think it’s wrong, and hopefully the boycott is the beginning of removing this.”
After facing off in friendlies against Thackley Reserves, Tyersal and Skipton Town, the Trojans will compete competitively for the first time in August, when the league restarts.
Burley have also been offered a grant from the Football Foundation to go towards goalposts. A total of £705 has been awarded to them.
Manager Gill has also asked any players, aged 16 or above who are interested in playing, to contact him:tonygill16@hotmail.co.uk
Burley Ladies and Thackley Reserves played a friendly with Burley running out 6-1 winners but the big winner was raising awareness of mental health issues, Burley ladies who work closely with its #itsworthtalkingabout were keen to help raise awareness and a massive thank you to both teams who supported the cause by raising funds through a raffle.
At Burley Trojans Football Club we believe well-being to be a positive physical, social and mental state. Mental well-being includes factors such as individuals’ ability to develop their potential, work productively and creatively, build strong and positive relationships with others and contribute to the community. Football provides many opportunities to develop these attributes and if developed well the club can become a positive influence on the community as a whole. It also involves areas of life such as feelings of satisfaction, optimism and self-esteem. One way to enhance our mental well-being and protect our mental health is through participating in physical activity. At Burley we are constantly looking at ways to support the development of our players and the friendships developed within the team inevitably provide a support network for our players.
As a club officials and representatives we embrace the guidance offered by the FA:
Silsden Ladies Host Burley Ladies - Friendly
Silsden ladies were delighted to host Burley for our pre-season friendly today.
Liam Best the Silsden manager said; we are pleased to raise awareness of such an important issue. Mental health is something that impacts all of us, the superb work done by Its worth talking about is an example of how we can talk and how we can share problems with each other..
Burley Ladies vs Farsley Celtic Friendly
Republica FC
Here at Republica FC, we are lucky to be a close bunch and strive to create an atmosphere where people feel they can open up to their team mates and friends. We understand how difficult the past year has been on people’s mental health and the return to football has been a beacon of hope for many of us. Not only does football have physical health benefits, but it creates an opportunity for social inclusion too.
It’s important to regularly check in with players who seem disinterested, distant or have not been at training for a while. A simple text to say How are you doing ? could change someone’s week.
Queensbury Celtic
Settle Harriers
“It’s well known that exercise plays an important part in our physical health. Research has shown that being outdoors and exercising can lead to improved mental health as well. Being a member of a club, such as Settle Harriers, has also shown to be beneficial, fostering a sense of community through socialising and friendship.
Runners often talk about their injuries, aches and pains. Talking about mental health should be no different.”
Argyle Community Trust
A Question Of Trust
THE Argyle Community Trust is proud to be the official charity for Plymouth Argyle. The Trust uses the prestige of football and the reach of the club to inspire, engage and help people of all ages achieve their full potential. ACT has a clear vision, along with our national partners, to be an active, inspirational and inclusive community hub for the South West region.
With an aim of having a positive impact on a range of groups in society, the Trust wants to provide the local community with the opportunity to explore their full potential and improve their life chances and aspirations through the power of football and activity.
We are hugely proud to say we have changed lives and inspired people over the past 20 years and envisage this continuing for many years through our large range of activities and programmes that include health, social action and disability.
The Health and Disability remit at the Trust is privileged to work with some of the most diverse and contrasting groups of people across Devon and Cornwall in a capacity of physical activity and social engagement.
Among the programmes that we have implemented and delivered are our mental health provisions. The high prevalence of mental health challenges among males is becoming more common knowledge, and with that, the stigma of talking to someone about it is shrinking. This change in attitude and understanding has a great positive impact for anyone needing support and to talk about mental health.
ACT has worked in partnership with the National Health Service primary care trust STEPS to develop a programme called ‘It’s a Goal’ that has been running for more than 10 years, and has had an exceptionally positive impact.
It’s A Goal allows people who have a mental health condition to work in a comfortable group setting to discuss real issues and relate them to football. Psychoeducational group therapy is coupled with physical activity – five-a-side football led by the Trust staff. Its aim is for people to become self-reliant and effectively manage adverse mental health conditions after attending the programme, with the physical activity part of the sessions continuing afterwards, always available for people to come to as and when they need.
The effectiveness of engaging in social situations to discuss issues and taking part in physical activity are proven to help alleviate symptoms of adverse mental health.
It’s a Goal has evolved into a well-recognised programme across Plymouth and the South West. People who attend the programme have represented the Trust and Argyle at mental health football tournaments, competing against other club’s programmes such as Exeter and Swindon. Doing so is not just an opportunity for people to put on a green shirt and play football, but also a huge progression in social well-being by working with people from different backgrounds.
A number of other projects in the Trust’s Health and Disability remit also contribute to health and well-being: weight-loss football leagues that improve a person’s self-esteem; the Football Cafe that supports those with early onset dementia; programmes that engage with adults and children with disabilities to improve their activity levels. Each one is significant in improving a person’s overall health and well-being.
To discover more go to www.argylecommunitytrust.co.uk/what-we-do/health/ or contact Josh Grant: 01752 562561, option 4.
Doncaster Rovers
Your OnYourSide | Social cafe at Keepmoat Stadium
Rovers held a social cafe at the Keepmoat Stadium on Monday as part of their partnership with Doncaster Mind.
The social cafe is usually held at Doncaster Mind’s wellbeing hub, but moved to Rovers’ ground to open it up to club staff and supporters.
Doncaster Mind’s Jenni Hall said: “It has given them a boost to come down and meet some different people in a new surrounding.
“The hospitality was fantastic from the club staff, with loads of club staff and even a player stopping by – it was really appreciated by everyone, they were all buzzing on the way home and looking forward t doing it again!”
Club Doncaster’s group head of communications Shaun Lockwood said: “It was open to supporters, staff and players – and we were really pleased with how it went.
“It was all kept deliberately informal, just a chance for people to talk over a cup of tea and slice of cake, there was no no pressure to discuss mental health – they could talk about the weather, or Rovers, but doing so knowing there were mental health experts around and accessible information if they need it.
“As a club we are actively trying to increase awareness and reduce the stigma around mental health, this week alone we have two events and are launching our supporter-designed third kit which saw mental health information available to anyone who entered. We’re proud of our efforts around mental health, which go back a number of years, and the EFL’s partnership with Mind only enhances this.”
Mind
“Mind provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. The charity campaigns to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. Mind won’t give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect.”
Infoline:
The Mind team provides information on a range of topics including:
- types of mental health problem
- where to get help
- medication and alternative treatments
- advocacy.
They will look for details of help and support in your own area.
Lines are open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except for bank holidays)
Legal Line:
The Mind legal team provide information and general advice on mental health related law covering:
- mental health
- mental capacity
- community care
- human rights and discrimination/equality related to mental health issues.
You can call them between 11am and 2pm Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays)
State Of Mind
The State of Mind programme was established in 2011 with the aim of improving the mental health, wellbeing and working life of rugby league players and communities. We want to get people talking about it. Our team of mental health and sport professionals deliver comprehensive education sessions throughout the UK in super league, championship and amateur clubs as well as colleges and community groups, aimed at raising awareness of mental health issues within sport.
‘Mental Illness is becoming more prevalent throughout society and as a culture we’re beginning to deal with it positively. Yet at times there still exists this stigma and many feel unable to speak up about it, and this has to change.
Many players of all ages are often reluctant to talk about their feelings and this can only make things worse. We need to change this, and it is hoped that the ‘tackle it – kick out stigma’ website will enable change to happen.
Let’s hope that Burley Trojans as a club can make a difference
Tony Gill
Burley Trojans Ladies Team Manager.