Following the success of the Workington Mental Health Football Sessions, Cumberland FA is supporting a new project in Whitehaven.
It is being delivered by Copeland Wellness Centre in partnership with Active Cumbria, Every Life Matters and Cumbria Community Foundation.
The Clear Your Head Kick About sessions are every Wednesday between 7pm and 8pm at Copeland Stadium artificial pitch.
These relaxed sessions are free and open to anyone aged 18-plus who feel like they may benefit from this session, regardless of ability or fitness.
It is aimed at being an inclusive space for people to have fun and find a safe space to talk and share their worries – if they would like to.
The Clear Your Head Kick About session in Whitehaven has been introduced to mirror similar sessions in the county which have proved popular.
The sessions provide people with regular, fun exercise that has been beneficial for their physical health and, perhaps more importantly, provided a place to come and socialise with others and form a support group.
Football development officer Ray Sempill said: “The sessions are designed to be relaxed kick arounds once a week.
“We will be developing the sessions based on the needs and wants of the participants but to start with the sessions are a relaxed social kick around for anyone who feels they might benefit.
“They will be a great way for people to get moving again after the festive period.
“We recognise the pressures that have been put on people over the last few years and the difficulties that society are currently facing.
“We want these sessions to be safe and inclusive environments, where people can feel comfortable sharing their worries and can access support as well as having a kick around.”
Ian Alcock, the Suicide Safer Community co-ordinator Allerdale and Copeland has stressed the importance of these types of sessions.
He said: “In order to look after our mental health we also need to be spending time looking after out physical health as well that’s why we are really excited to be developing regular mental health football sessions with Cumberland FA and Active Cumbria.
“There are a number of brilliant mental health services and we want to use these sessions as a way of signposting people to the other help that may be available locally.
“Sadly, we know that around 75 per cent of all suicides are men so we want to encourage people in any way we can to be open and talk about the way they are feeling, there is always someone who will listen.
“If anyone is worried about a friend or family member then they should simply be brave enough to ask them.
“Information on how to support someone with thoughts of suicide can be found at every-life-matters.org.uk.”
Cameron Wilson added: “Active Cumbria are pleased to be involved in this project. The sessions will be very much based on having a kick around, not too much structure just facilitating play, very much based on the needs of those attending with plenty of social opportunities before, during and after the sessions.
“We are looking forward to supporting the development of the session and engaging new audiences in physical activity.”
Anyone interested in coming along to the session, or know someone who would benefit from coming along or would like a general chat about the sessions, can call Robyn Jewell on 01946 599998 or email cuccg.copelandsp@nhs.net.
