One of the stated aims of Barrow Town Football Club is to place itself at the ‘Heart of the Local Community’.
As part of that outreach the club got in touch with the mental health charity Mind to see if we could do anything to help raise awareness of mental health issues.
Whilst still at an early stage this relationship has proved to be mutually beneficial. Our football coaches tend to work with the same group of young people from the age of 7 through to 17/18. The national Mind charity have provided, Football Association-approved, online mental health awareness training for all of our coaches, equipping them with vital ‘signposting’ information that can help support young people in troubled times.
Locally Mind are in the process of setting up new services within our region and we have been able to provide them with meeting space and the opportunity to hold awareness events at the Club.
Local Mind Engagement and Development Lead Rachel Nott said;
“Whilst Mind have a significant presence nationally, we are only just beginning to develop services and support across the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland region. We are delighted to be working so closely with Barrow Town FC who are helping us to reach out to the local community and raise awareness of mental health, reducing the associated and stigma and moving closer to achieving our national objective of ensuring that everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect.”
The club have also held a number of matches and fund raising events in support of local good causes.
