Football clubs sign up for mental health initiative

Five clubs have so far signed up to the initiative

Football clubs in Leicestershire have signed up to a mental health initiative aimed at offering men a safe environment to talk.

Five grassroots teams have so far joined the Mental Health Friendly Clubs programme and will receive free mental health first aid awareness and suicide prevention training.

As part of the scheme Leicestershire and Rutland County FA has partnered with the team behind Mental Health Friendly Places, led by public health teams across Leicester and Leicestershire.

Each club will run weekly or bi-weekly sessions, enabling participants to feel comfortable supporting themselves and one another.

Harborough Town, Lutterworth Athletic, Sileby Juniors and Ellistown FC are all involved in the scheme.

Volunteers at AFC Andrews in Aylestone are also part of the pilot.

Andy Grout, secretary at Ellistown FC, said: "We are a community football club, and we identified that there are mental health issues out there that we have experienced close hand.

"We want to make sure that anyone who comes into Ellistown knows that we are available if there are issues.

"If we can help one person then we have achieved our objective. Mental health is tough and we can see the impact it can have on the local community."

Karl Percival, from the Leicestershire and Rutland County FA, added: "This project is a great opportunity to inspire positive change through football.

"Grassroots football clubs are important parts of local communities and their commitment to supporting both the physical and mental wellbeing of their volunteers, coaches, parents, players and supporters should be commended.

"We are delighted to have the clubs on board, who will play an integral part in helping break down barriers and removing the stigma around men's mental health."

Anyone interested in joining or taking part in the My Space, My Game sessions can email the local FA for more details.