Watford Football Club and it’s official charity Watford FC’s Community Sports and Education Trust are supporting World Mental Health Day, which takes place every year on 10 October.
Ahead of the date, the Club and Trust have produced postcards, which can be collected at various points around the stadium before the match against Oxford United at Vicarage Road on Saturday 4 October.
Supporting other people can contribute towards feelings of gratitude and your own mental wellbeing, and the postcards have been designed for fans to write a thank you card to someone, something or an organisation who may have helped or supported them in any way.
You can collect a postcard from the following places on matchday:
- The Hornets Shop
Pop-up Hornet Shops in each stand
The Family Fun-zone
Catering Kiosks
Hospitality Lounges
If you’d like to share an image of your completed postcard before you send it, please email to wecampaign@watfordfc.com
The Trust continues to be at the forefront of raising awareness of mental health and wellbeing, as well as supporting those who are experiencing poor mental health themselves.
Man On!
“Man On has done me absolute wonders over the years. I have become fitter and feel in much better shape, I have more self-belief and confidence in myself, I’ve been able to talk about my mental illness with the group and receive help at times, as well as provide help or a listening ear to anyone who needs it.”
Man On! is a football-based mental wellbeing programme designed to support men aged 18+ with their mental health through physical activity and a conversation café. Find out more here: https://www.watfordfccsetrust.com/project/man-on/
Youth Link
“The Social Prescribing Youth Link project has been exceptionally important for adolescents and young people managing daily life. These individuals are given the precious commodity of time with an experienced youth worker to discuss concerns and formulate strategies to cope with difficulties. The Project gives the opportunity for patients to participate in a diverse range of activities and build networks to improve their physical and mental health. This unique collaboration between Watford FC and West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust paves the way for improving wellbeing through sport.” Dr Palman
Youth Link is a free social prescribing service that can link you with a range of local services to improve your mental wellbeing. Find out more here: https://www.watfordfccsetrust.com/project/youth-link/
Hornets Together
“Realising just how much support is available to the broader community in Watford and how much the Club supports everyone.”
“The event covered a very valuable topic that definitely needs to be discussed in the community. The organisers and speakers were very professional and connected well with the audience.”
The Hornets Together programme connects Watford FC fans with access to free monthly and weekly face-to-face mental and physical health workshops held at the stadium, training ground, and a host of other venues in the local community. Find out more here: https://www.watfordfccsetrust.com/project/hornets-together/
Empower
“So thankful that this was free. We would struggle to be able to afford to give him an experience like this and exposure to the different sports and specialists”
Empower is a free three-month project that aims to improve young people’s mental health using physical activity. Each session is 90 minutes in length and consists of 60 minutes of physical activity and a 30 minute wellbeing workshop, which is a facilitated conversation between participants, Watford FC Community Sports and Education Trust Coaches and a mental wellbeing facilitator. Find out more here: https://www.watfordfccsetrust.com/project/empower/
Extra Time
Every week the Trust invites the over 55s to partake a Club that makes sure for a casual atmosphere and encourages members to socialise and enjoy the sessions put on by the friendly staff. Over the two hours a wide variety of activities including carpet bowls and chair-based exercise are offered to encourage physical activity for those wanting to keep fit. If that’s not for you, not to worry, as members are welcome to attend simply for the interaction, newspapers and free refreshments. Find out more here: https://www.watfordfccsetrust.com/project/extra-time/
Golden Memories
Golden Memories is a reminiscence programme aimed at those living with mild to moderate dementia. The project uses a host of Watford FC memorabilia and magic moments to stimulate the senses and evoke personal memories. Not only does the programme focus on reminiscence but also act as a tool to reintroduce physical activity whether that be chair exercises or even table football. Find out more here: https://www.watfordfccsetrust.com/project/golden-memories/
Shape Up
Shape Up is a free 12 week weight management course for adults. The course is aimed at adults aged 18 to 65 years-old with a BMI of 30+. Find out more information here: https://www.watfordfccsetrust.com/project/shape-up/
Stroke & Rehabilitation Programme
“It’s brought me out of myself. Post stroke I stayed away locked indoors, I didn’t come out and socialise or speak to people. Meeting new people has helped, you feel comfortable because like you they have been through similar things and everyone’s stroke has affected them differently.”
Our 10 week programme consists of weekly 2 hour group sessions, which on top of an hour of exercise include discussions around the impact your stroke has had to your life and give direction on what positive actions can be taken moving forward. Find out more here: https://www.watfordfccsetrust.com/project/stroke-rehabilitation-programme/
Football Camps
Trust football camps offer children an opportunity to develop their football skills during their off time from school. With various venues across Hertfordshire and Harrow, this offers players the opportunity to enjoy a fun and educational football course at a venue close to home. Find out more here: https://www.watfordfccsetrust.com/project/football-camps/
Mental Health Emergencies
Do you feel like you need help, right now? Mental health emergencies are serious and you’re not wasting anyone’s time by asking for help.
If your life is at risk right now, if you feel like you might attempt suicide, or may have seriously harmed yourself, you need urgent medical help. Please:
- Call 999 for an ambulance
- Go straight to A&E, if you can
- Call your local crisis team, if you have their number
If you can’t do this by yourself, ask someone to help you.
If you need to talk right now, whatever you’re going through, there are people you can talk to any time. These services are free, they’re anonymous, and they’re always open.
Samaritans offer free and confidential support to people in distress 24/7
Call: 116 123 Email: jo@samaritans.org
Shout is the UK’s first and only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging service for anyone who is struggling to cope.
Text SHOUT to 85258
or visit giveusashout.org (Shout: The UK’s free, confidential, 24/7 mental health text service | Shout 85258)
In addition, there are other services in the local area that are ready to help.
CALM is a mental support service that is on a mission to reduce suicides. They offer a phone and webchat service, open 5pm – midnight every day of the year.
Call for free on 0800 585858 or webchat
Visit CALM’s website for more information
Herts Mind Network delivers essential mental health support in Hertfordshire, providing a diverse range of services through seven Wellbeing Centres and other venues across all 10 districts of the county. Services are available to all residents in Hertfordshire over the age of 18 and they offer dedicated services for 5 to 18-year-olds. Click HERE for details.