Earlier this Month, Bristol Rovers Community Trust were happy to announce a partnership with NHS staff to support a brand new weekly social football group with the goal of improving people’s physical and mental wellbeing through sport.
The project has already boasted encouraging participation numbers in the opening two weeks, with a positive response to the overall sessions. Last Thursday, the group welcomed former Crystal Palace and West Brom 1st team coach Ben Garner to the session, to chat about this career and how his recovered from his own personal setbacks.
Project co-ordinator Jacob Kelly and NHS Mental Health Specialist said “We decided to set up a project that works for people who may struggle with their mental health or people who need more support socially. We wanted to organise a group where everyone would feel welcome and since the project has been set up, we’ve had some amazing feedback. Our participants have felt really good about themselves for taking part and it’s really improved their mental and physical wellbeing”
Ben Garner is also a big advocate for the scheme, saying “I think it’s important across society and sport can be a powerful way to help people. I was invited to come down today to deliver a session to today’s participants and chat about my career, and some the setbacks that I’ve experienced and how I’ve had to cope with them. I hope that I’ll be able to relate to some of the people here today and demonstrate how I’ve overcome certain issues.”
The group is open to everyone over 18, male or female, from those who've never played football to the more experienced. The project is part of the Wellbeing College and was created by staff from South Gloucestershire AWP NHS service.
The sessions will run weekly, every Thursday from 3pm, atShaftesbury Park, Frenchay Park Rd, Winterbourne, Bristol BS16 1LG. If you would like to attend the group, please contact the group organisers via email or telephone, details below.
Contact details:
Email: Jacob.kelly@nhs.net
Telephone: Jacob 07785342192