Watford Football Club and Community Sport and Education Trust are working together on raising awareness of mental health.
Statistics show that 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England and 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem (like anxiety and depression) in any given week in England.
To help support fans on mental and physical health, the Premier League Charitable Fans Fund recently helped the Trust launch a new programme, Hornets Together. The programme is designed to connect Watford FC fans with access to free monthly face-to-face mental and physical health workshops held at the stadium.
Over 50 fans have attended across two events this year where the programme has run workshops on mental wellbeing and physical health linked to blood pressure checks in partnership with Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB.
Over the up-and-coming months there will be events for mindfulness, coping strategies, healthy lifestyle and many more subjects, which fans who completed the recent ‘Getting to Know You’ survey, were given the chance to prioritise.
For more information on the programme please visit Hornets Together – Watford FC Community Sports & Education Trust (watfordfccsetrust.com)
Wellbeing in the Workplace
In 2022/23, there were an estimated 875,000 workers suffering from work-related stress, depression or anxiety, resulting in 17.1 million working days lost. Recent research finds that, on average, there is a positive return on investment of around £5 for every £1 invested in mental health interventions in the workplace.
Staff at the Club and Trust came together today for a wellbeing workshop to look at mental health in the workplace. This combined statistics, what mental health means, coping mechanisms and what support is available internally and externally, while a new staff handbook containing tips and suggestions for maintaining a healthy work/life balance is being produced.
“We recognise that supporting the Mental Health and Wellbeing of our players and staff is important for both individuals and the club, to create a positive, and supportive culture” said Dave Messenger, the club’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead. “World Mental Health Day gives us the chance to reflect on the work we’ve done so far, as we continue to deliver on this commitment”
Mental Health World Cup is coming to Vicarage Road
For the first time, Watford Football Club and Community Sport and Education Trust are working in partnership with the Mental Health World Cup Charity to host a 5aside World Cup at Vicarage Road Stadium.
In 2023 6,000 people took their own life in the UK with 75% of them being men. Suicide continues to be the biggest killer of men under 50.
“I started the event after losing my youngest brother to suicide in 2012 to raise awareness, remove the stigmas around suicide and raise vital funds for mental health charities in the local areas. Over the past decade we have raised over £500K for mental health by playing football and standing against suicide.” Says founder Giancarlo Gaglione.
Watford FC CSE Trust have been involved in delivering mental wellbeing support over the last 5 years including the programme, Man On! The programme is an early intervention and prevention service, suitable for individuals with low to moderate mental health doubts, issues and/or conditions. The programme brings together a group of men who share the same interest in sport and have similar struggles, helping to build positive relationships, build new support networks and improve their wellbeing together. Man On! – Watford FC Community Sports & Education Trust (watfordfccsetrust.com)
“This is a great opportunity to host the Mental Health World Cup and raise vital funds in the local areas with fans and the community to get involved to support our local mental health charities. This will also help the Trust to continue the work we do across mental health for men through our Man On! programme.” Says Karen Stephanou, Head of Health and Wellbeing at Watford FC CSE Trust.
There are spaces for 16 teams to sign up and it’s guaranteed to be a sell-out. Teams have to raise £2,500 by the end of February 2025 to guarantee their place on the pitch at Vicarage Road, with a team of 8 that’s just £300 each to experience the thrill of walking on to the pitch whilst helping save lives. More information can be found on www.MentalHealthWorldCup.org.uk/watford
Other Mental Health Programmes run by the Trust
Watford FC CSE Trust run a range of programmes that support all on mental health. To find out more about the programme please click on the links below:
Positive Minds – Education awareness programme for year 6 school students to gain 6 to 10 weeks of different teams and topics. Positive Minds; Education – Watford FC Community Sports & Education Trust (watfordfccsetrust.com)
Empower – Using the power of physical activity to support 9 to 12 years over a 6-month period on their mental health. Empower – Watford FC Community Sports & Education Trust (watfordfccsetrust.com)
Youth Link – social prescribing programme for 10 to 18 years old to receive support over a 6-month period on goal setting and signposting to over support available in the local community. Youth Link – Watford FC Community Sports & Education Trust (watfordfccsetrust.com)
Other signposting services in the local area
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: 0800585858 or webchat
Visit CALM’s website for more information
Herts Mind Network
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 ten districts of the county. Services are available to all residents in Hertfordshire over the age of 18 and they offer dedicated services for 5-18 year olds.
Visit Herts Mind Network for more information.
Mind in Mid Herts
Mind in Mid Herts: has four centres – Stevenage, St Albans, Welwyn Garden City and Hertford.
Call: 03303 208100 Email: admin@mindinmidherts.org.uk
NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression
Talking therapies are psychological treatments for mental and emotional problems like stress, anxiety and depression. Visit Talking Therapies’ website for more information.
Call: 0800 6444 101
