Northamptonshire FA and Northampton Town's Football in the Community scheme launch new range of sessions for players with experience of mental health problems
The Northamptonshire Football Association (NFA) and Northampton Town's Football in the Community scheme have teamed up to provide a new series of football sessions to adult players (16 and above) that have experience of mental health problems.
The Heads Up sessions are to be held every other Tuesday afternoon, between 12:30pm and 1:30pm, at West Glebe Pavillion’s 3G artificial turf pitch in Corby; with the next session taking place on Tuesday 6th October.
Under the guidance of FA-qualified Northampton Town community coaches, participants will be provided with appropriate, safe and enjoyable football activities over the course of the sessions. During the course of players’ time with coaches, participants will not only learn new football skills; they will also be provided with the opportunity to socialise, meet new friends, and increase general health and fitness.
The first session for all participants is free, with sessions thereafter costing £2. Sessions will be held outdoors, so players are urged to bring suitable footwear.
Russell Lewis, Social Inclusion and Disability Officer at Cobblers in the Community, said: “I’d encourage anybody with experience of mental health problems to come down to West Glebe Pavillion and take part in our Heads Up session. In previous sessions run throuhgout the county, the power of football and ability to get together with others that have similar experiences regarding mental health has been incredible, and the benefits across health and wellbeing are significant.”
Amber Wildgust, Disability Football Development Officer at the Northamptonshire FA, added: “Our previous Heads Up sessions in Northampton and Wellingborough, have been really successful, with everybody enjoying both the ability to play football and socialise with other players. We hope that we can get even more people join our Corby session in coming weeks, to create a fun, relaxed environment, where people that have experience of mental health problems can get involved and have fun.”
For more information, please contact Russell Lewis, Social Inclusion and Disability Officer at Cobblers in the Community, on 07887 878182 or email russell.lewis@ntfc.tv