We’re extending our partnership with Mind to help people with mental health problems get active.
Our research shows that there are strong links between poor mental health and physical inactivity.
That’s why we’re investing a further £1.5million in Get Set to Go, a pilot scheme run by Mind that’s helping people with mental health problems get fit.
The scheme is supporting people to join mainstream sports clubs, go to the gym, or take up a new sport. So far it has supported over 3,500 people to get active.
Get Set to Go has also developed a bespoke mental health training package for sports sector workers, helping to improve awareness and reduce stigma around mental health issues which can act as a barrier to participation.
The new funding will see over 30,000 sport and physical activity staff and volunteers trained to give better support to people with mental health problems.
Alongside this, a shorter version of the programme will be launched in 10 areas across England, directly helping 1,500 people with mental health problems to become active. A further 1,500 people will be supported to remain active with access to the right level of help based on their individual need.
Motivation
Sujan joined the Wolverhampton-based Jolly Joggers as part of Get Set to Go.
“Jolly Joggers is great because it motivates you to keep going jogging, even in winter,” she said. “It’s helped with my panic and anxiety attacks and I feel much better and more confident in myself."
“I can go jogging on my own now, which I never used to do before. I’ve made new friends which I keep in touch with and we go jogging together.”
This project also offers group and one-to-one peer support and access to Mind’s supportive online social network, Elefriends.
Confidence
Jade signed up for boxing classes as part of Get Set to Go. She says it’s helping her to manage her mental health.
“Before I joined Get Set to Go I tried to deal with suicidal feelings on my own but I drank, self-harmed and didn’t look after myself because it didn’t matter to me whether I lived or not," says Jade. "I still struggle with suicidal thoughts and feelings, but since taking up boxing I’m better equipped to deal with things when I’m not feeling well, and I have a good support network around me."
Boxing has also given Jade the confidence to start volunteering at her local Mind charity shop, where she says she has flourished.
Our chief executive, Jennie Price, said: “The lessons we have learned together in the first phase of our partnership are now being applied to train 30,000 staff and volunteers, and I hope this will make a big difference to how people with mental health conditions feel about trying sport and physical activity.”