In 2018 Watford Football Club’s Community Sports and Education Trust (Trust) created a programme to play its part in tackling the increasing cases of suicide rates in men. As well as the ongoing negative stigma and barriers around men’s mental health. Five years on, that programme – Man On! – has gone from strength to strength and is now supporting men across three venues.
Every week Man On! brings together a group of like-minded men to build positive relationships and support networks through 90-minute sessions that combine football and wellbeing workshops and conversations. Men, aged over 18 years old, can access these sessions completely free of charge, thanks to funding from Hertfordshire County Council, Three Rivers District Council, and Watford & Three Rivers Trust (W3RT). The Trust is also able to draw on the valued partnership of Watford Borough Council, Herts Mind, Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) and Just Talk Herts.
James Lindsay is a regular Man On! attendee and was recently awarded ‘Mental Health Champion’ at the Trust’s Gala Dinner. James spoke of the session’s impact on him personally:
“I feel much fitter, and I also have gained plenty of self-confidence; the exercise helps me reduce stress and feel good.”
Fellow participant Lee Jackson added:
“I actually get to talk to people when I want and when I don’t, people in the group understand.”
See below for details on the three venues now running:
Monday
William Penn Leisure Centre
WD3 8JN
6pm-7.30pm
Tuesday
Cotlandswick Leisure Centre
AL2 9EB
3pm–4:30pm
Wednesday
Meriden Community Centre
WD25 9ET
3pm–4:30pm
To find out more about Man On! and to download a referral form, you can visit the website at https://www.watfordfccsetrust.com/project/man-on/ or contact taylor.morrison@watfordfc.com