Over the past year LPFF has been developing an innovative project entitled "Coping Through Football" that seeks to demonstrate how two sports charities can work with the statutory health service to create a sustainable recovery model for people with enduring mental health problems. Working through a Management Group comprising Leyton Orient Community Sports Program, North East London Mental Health Trust, Waltham Forest Primary Care Trust and Institute of Psychiatry the project targets 18 - 35 year olds within the Waltham Forest Community Health Care System. The project aims to improve the wellbeing of every participant so that they are more able to take charge of their own lives and make a positive contribution to society.

Background

There is a recognised need within Waltham Forest for a project which could have social, physical and mental health benefits for participants. 30% of primary care consultations within the borough are about mental illness and some wards have twice the average national rates of mental illness. As a result of their lifestyle this client group are also at increased risk of heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer and diabetes.

Football is a proven engagement tool with hard to reach groups and as such Coping Through Football will provide a great opportunity to:

increase contact time between participants and the health professionals
increase their participation in regular physical activity
raise confidence and self esteem of the participants
improve their social interactivity

Activities

Five taster sessions were held at Peter May Sports Centre and the SCORE complex over the summer period to gage the interest and needs of the user group. A total of 22 participants attended the sessions all of whom wished to increase their levels of fitness and therefore felt that the project was a good idea. Following the success of these sessions a 14 week pilot program was established comprising a two hour coaching session per week. The sessions were led by coaches from Leyton Orient Community Sports Program who had received mental health awareness training from NELMHT staff.

LPFF has appointed Matthew Howard-Jones (a secondee from NELMHT) as Project Co-ordinator. LPFF and NELMHT have worked closely on developing a monitoring and evaluation tool to oversee each participant's development within the program.

The project offers a range of exit opportunities to enable participants to continue their involvement in coaching, refereeing , playing or administration roles and ultimately will provide a route to recovery.

The aim of the project is to provide a model of best practice that other mental health trusts across the country can implement as an example of how sport and health can work together to meet mutual objectives.

Funding

LPFF have secured funding from the Football Foundation, City Bridge Trust and Capital Volunteering to cover the costs of the three year program.