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IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH FOOTBALL

Mental Health FC CIC is an MULTI-AWARD WINNING registered non-profit based in Doncaster that is bringing people together to play the sport they love while helping and improving their mental health…. everyone is welcomed and supported!!
We currently help and support 150+ people a week at our sessions.

We currently have 4 weekly mixed kickabouts in Doncaster, 1 in Scunthorpe and another 2 hopefully being added in Doncaster soon. For session details including venue info, day and times please see the map below.
We plan to start more sessions around the country to help and support more people.

IMPORTANT – ALL PLAYERS WHO WANT TO TAKE PART IN OUR SESSIONS MUST SECURE AND PAY FOR THEIR SPACE THROUGH THE SPOND APP (please specify which sessions you’d like to be added to) AS SPACES ARE NOW LIMITED, THANK YOU

Please click the register link on the location you’d like to join on the map below.

After all kickabout sessions we go for refreshments and chat at a local clubhouse or pub but it’s completely up to players if they want to join or not and how long they stay if they do join.

For updates on when and where we’re adding new sessions in new locations, days and times please click here to like our Facebook page 🙂

221
KICKABOUTS
5611
ATTENDANCE
1458
PEOPLE AT CHATS
420
MEMBERS
5
WEEKLY SESSIONS
2
AREAS COVERED

MORE INFO

ALL adults are welcome…. it doesn’t matter about your gender, age, religion, sexuality, race, background, fitness, football ability, appearance etc.
Relaxed kickabouts with NO SLIDE TACKLES at any of the sessions.

**ALL MHFC STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS have at least DBS Checks (Basic), Mental Health First Aid certificates, Suicide Awareness and Adult Safeguarding certificates**

We primarily hope it helps and supports people’s mental health but also people’s fitness, getting people out for an hour, socialising, combatting loneliness and hopefully making new friends.

While football will help improve people’s mental health on it’s own (read our article on how it helps mental health here) we also encourage people to talk about mental health however it’s completely up to you if you’d like to talk about mental health, while playing football, after football or not at all, nothing is forced and everything is relaxed and stress free.

As we know each person has their own struggles, triggers and stresses and each person will respond to different approaches differently so we’ll be their to make you feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible as you spend time figuring out what helps and works best for you.

We’re all there to help and support each other and hopefully by sharing stories and experiences it helps everyone in knowing you aren’t alone, you never know other people in the team may be able to help and give advice from their personal experiences and everyone has the support of this TEAM!!

Everyone who is on that pitch during the kick-about is there for the same reasons and knows what it’s about so there’ll be no judging at all.

We work with the FA being a registered FA Just Play Centre to attract more people who’d like a local casual kick about.

After each session we go to a local clubhouse or pub for refreshments and chat, it’s completely up to players if they want to attend or not and how long for if they do.
It’s just another way to socialise after football, make friends and chat about anything, football, your day, your week, work life, home life, stresses, worries, share experiences etc
During chats people have been able to share their own experiences and knowledge in order support, advise and guide others in their journeys with mental health which has helped others massively.

If anyone needs more in-depth help and tailored support we work alongside Doncaster Mind, Doncaster Talking Therapy and UK mental health charity Trauma Research UK who can provide this.

If it goes well I plan to roll it out across the UK….. If you’d like to start a weekly MHFC session in your area please get in touch and we’ll try and help to make it happen.

#MHFC #MentalHealthFC

WEEKLY KICKABOUTS

Find a local relaxed kickabout to take part in and help your mental health using the map below.
More sessions in more locations are getting added soon, like our Facebook page for updates (click here @MHFooty).

If you’re in the UK and would like to start your own MHFC in your local area to help people or you run a similar kind of relaxed mental health kickabout session already that you’d like adding to our map then please get in touch, hello@mentalhealthfc.org

DISCLAIMER – We have insurance to cover us but we hope/don’t expect to use it, it’s just a friendly kick about so no dangerous tackles but we accept that accidents happen.

Photos & videos may be taken during the sessions for website and social media use to hopefully reach and attract new people, if you don’t want your photo taken that isn’t a problem and just let us know, we’ll try to mention it before each session anyway.

COST / DONATIONS

Sessions cost £3 per player per session and this can be paid when registering your space for a session in the Spond app.

The money we get from sessions is greatly appreciated as it enables us to keep putting on sessions, maintaining them and even adding more to help even more people around Doncaster and beyond!!

If you’d like to donate and support MHFC then you can do so via bank transfer (details below) or money can also be given to session leaders at MHFC sessions.

If any companies around Doncaster would like to sponsor and support the project please email me at hello@mentalhealthfc.org for more info.

Most of the money that comes in will be spent on pitch hire costs, any additional money will go to football equipment, volunteer courses and running of MHFC, THANK YOU!!

BANK INFO….

BUSINESS ACCOUNT NAME – MENTAL HEALTH FC CIC
05-02-00
74406570

FEEDBACK

To anyone seeing this and feeling apprehensive about going. I promise you that you don't need to. I can't play to save my life but the encouragement and unity that you feel leaves you flabagasted. All day today l've felt really good, seeing these pics now is part of the reason for that. Come down and have a kick about.

Paul

Absolutely worth coming along for anyone who wants to go and everyone is welcomed and encouraged, you'll be amazed how good it is for your mental health.

Anthony

Had an amazing night at Mental Health FC CIC last night, great friendly environment and excellent coaches that were encouraging. Would highly recommend to anyone.

Grace

My boy is so supported here, they don't ignore him, walk away from him and make him feel worthless, he's accepted for who he is, brilliant team and amazing with disabilities too and mental health.

Sheridan

Great group of lads, roll on next Saturday, really can’t wait I’ve had a very stressful week so it gives me break from my worries and concentrate on playing the beautiful game.
Thanks again guys!!

Alex

I did this yesterday, it was my first time but even though my anxiety was through roof and I was so nervous I was made to feel welcome and was supported, so please give them a try, amazing friendly people and the football was so calm and friendly.

Sheridan

Cracking night of football with a great set of lads. Mental Health FC CIC is fantastic, well organised and nice to have a beer and a chat about anything afterwards. Really enjoyed it tonight.

John

Another good kick around, it’s definitely helping to give me a boost while I’ve been struggling. Gives me a reason to force myself to get out.
Hopefully see everyone next Saturday.

Gav

Cracking session again last night with these lads - a good laugh, plenty of encouragement along with a little bit of competitive football. If you’re thinking of coming - do it - whether you’re struggling or not!!

Ben

MHFC SUPPORTERS

People in the football world that support what MHFC is and what it’s doing….

Ronan Darcy

Pro Footballer - Crawley Town FC

Terri "Belter" Harper

3 Weight World Champ Boxer

James Coppinger

Ex Pro Footballer

Jon Taylor

Pro Footballer - Salford City

BLOG

CLICK HERE FOR ALL OUR BLOG POSTS

SHOP

ALL clothing is made from premium 100% organic cotton with £3 from every sale going to MHFC.

T-shirts (three different designs), zip hoodies and hoodies are available for men and women in a wide range of sizes and up for 5 different colours!!

We have more clothing, designs, sizes (kids) and even a football shirt in the works!!

To order one of our custom MHFC football shirts please contact us directly.

CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS

SPONSORED BY

SUPPORTED BY

If you have any questions about the kick around or are a company wanting to support this project, please email hello@mentalhealthfc.org

SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAILLING LIST….