Approximately one out of every four adults and one out of every six young people will experience mental health challenges in any given year. Sport and physical activity can significantly contribute to both preventing mental health issues and aiding the recovery of individuals dealing with them.
The Mental Health Champions Programme is designed to assist clubs and organizations in cultivating the necessary skills, knowledge, and understanding regarding mental health, empowering them to engage in constructive conversations on the topic. Sport Birmingham’s partners of the programme are Living Well Consortium, Birmingham Mind, Aston Villa Foundation, Skills360, The Active Wellbeing Society (TAWS) and Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust (BSMHFT). Through this collaboration we strive to uphold the legacy of Moving Lives Health Minds, and establish a clear pathway for referrals from professional services to local community activities.
The role of a Champion is flexible and can be tailored by your organization. Potential responsibilities may include:
- Sharing good practice about mental health across the club/organisation through distributing posters/flyers & across social media.
- Welcoming new members to the club, and creating a welcoming, friendly environment.
- Encouraging positive conversations around mental health.
- Signposting people to professional support if required.
- Organising tea/coffee after a session to allow members time to connect and socialise.
- Creating links with local mental health organisations.
- Promoting national mental health campaigns.
Matthew Hillman is one of our Mental Health Champions
“Over the last 3 years I have been involved with Sport Birmingham and projects aimed at improving mental health in the city. I was part of the ‘Moving lives, Healthy Minds project’, where I ran mental wellbeing tennis sessions for adults suffering with mental health conditions. This was a great success, where we still have 8 regulars attending the session now. I am also a Mental Health Champion, which has been a fantastic way to meet others, learn some best practices, and share ideas of what can be done to improve people’s Mental Health.”
If you have any questions or would like more details about the Mental Health Champions programme please contact Nicola English nicola.english@sportbirmingham.org
To sign up to be a Mental Health Champion you can fill in and submit an enquiry form here