Bodmin and St Austell Leisure Centres have run the first of their free sports sessions for men with mental health challenges.
Operating under the Better brand, not-for-profit leisure operator GLL has joined forces with Sport in Mind, the leading mental health sports charity. Men experiencing low mood, loneliness or other mental health issues, can drop into the weekly activities and all abilities are welcome.
Sport in Mind has been delivering sessions for over 12 years and currently has 120 weekly sessions across the southeast of the UK, including activities such as yoga, basketball, tai chi, tennis and more.
“We’re excited to be partnering with GLL in the Southwest and developing the programme across their sites in Cornwall,” said Laura Brooks, Sport in Mind Head of Services. “We’ve been working closely with the NHS to build links with community groups and local charities to identify what activities would be of interest.
“The sessions are fun, free and open to men over 17 experiencing mental health problems. The coaches are friendly, the environment is supportive and non-judgmental, and there is no need to book in advance or be referred.
“Anyone coming along for the first time is welcome to bring along a friend or family member to support them and get involved too.”
St Austell Leisure Centre is running football and fitness on Mondays from 12 – 1pm and Bodmin Leisure Centre is running a tennis session from 1-2pm each Tuesday. Liskeard Leisure Centre will also be starting its own weekly programme in November.
“Our community team believes this is a really important agenda because we have seen for ourselves how physical activity and exercise can play a major part in improving an individual’s mental health and wellbeing,” said Karen Edmond, GLL’s Community Sports Manager.
“Sport in Mind really makes a difference and we’re delighted to be partnering with them and bringing the good they do to Cornwall.”
For more information, call Sport in Mind on 0118 947 9762 or visit www.sportinmind.org
