Celia Hammond

The Pitch

Problem statement

Sport, Mental Health and Wellbeing Since the pandemic, we have consulted with young people (YP) about their anxieties and concerns about their wellbeing. A core target group of YP are congregating at the pitch and there are regular incidents of conflict and anti-social behaviour. Using team sports like football makes it easier for people with mental health problems to socialise. Social exclusion is often a key issue for them. This project can also help YP get involved in their community, manage negative emotions, and reduce mental health stigma through combining football coaching and peer support. We want to provide weekly football sessions but also to provide mental health training.

Solution

From January 2022, 30 YP attend weekly football coaching and participate in mental health and wellbeing workshops, (Coproducing models and a youth-led approach with each cohort) Working with this disengaged local target group, we will provide wellbeing-focused activities that will build upon football (physical) sessions aimed at promoting improved mood and self-esteem for themselves and others. YP create awareness films to reach a further 300 YP at our three youth-led football tournaments (Feb/April/May) in our cinema tent Outputs 30 YP x weekly coaching sessions and mental Health awareness / create a film for a further 300 YP to raise awareness around mental heath. (reducing stigma)

Why are we best placed to deliver?

We have a track record of 24 years working in Camden and have recently run twice weekly drop-in sessions on the Regents Park Estate, H-Pod Centre in collaboration with West Euston Partnership, and our brand-new youth hub, the Warren Centre. Further, we run annual community events which residents from the estate attend so we already have strong links with the local community and families. We also run a variety of youth-led projects, such as peer education, youth-led community events, and input into our planning and recruitment processes and these tried and tested models have produced strong outcomes. Previous sports and exercise sessions reached more than 250 young people a year.

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

Beneficiaries

330 people

Expected impact

Our project encompasses sport and social action, comprising of weekly football coaching sessions with 20 YP who also receive mental health training, design wellbeing campaigns and accompanying film, to share with other YP. The sessions culminate in 3 football tournaments where the films will be screened to 300 other YP. We want to provide weekly football sessions (january - May 2022 but also to provide mental health training. We want to give YP a voice and a way to develop their thoughts and opinions on mental health and wellbeing, whilst discussing issues/stigmas they have experienced. YP will develop a campaign topic and make films to share in our cinema tent at each football tournament and encourage other YP to share their experiences.

Track record

Our experience of organising community events over the past 24 years has shown they can be effective at bringing people together. Our evaluation shows that YP involved in social action programmes learn to recognise and look after mental health and develop self-confidence and sense of agency.

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