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Sports sessions make mental health a priority

Josh McLaughlin
BBC News, South East
Surrey Heartlands NHS A woman in a luminous yellow sports bid and another man in a pink football jersey race towards a football. A man in a white t-shirt and black shorts guards a white goal post. They are playing on green artificial grass lined with white football field markings. The pitch is surrounded by a dark green mental fence.Surrey Heartlands NHS
Guildford, Surrey Heath, Woking, Runnymede, Reigate and Banstead were all target areas for the 2024 funding of £73,394 for Sport in Mind

Free football sessions for adults in Guildford are aiming to tackle mental health and wellbeing challenges on the pitch.

Sport in Mind, a mental health sports charity, started the sessions in 2021 and received £73,394 in funding from the Mental Health Investment Fund (MHIF) at the beginning of 2024.

Tai chi and pickleball are among the other sports offered by the charity, with NHS Surrey Heartlands saying 14 weekly sessions are available across the county.

"We have seen individuals come into a session very quiet and reserved and by the end of the session they are laughing and socialising with new friends," said Amy Wright, a senior development officer for Sport in Mind.

Surrey Heartlands NHS A group of male football players have a conversation in front of a white goal. They are chatting on a green football pitch made of artificial grass.Surrey Heartlands NHS
Sport in Mind founder and chief executive Neil Harris says the charity hopes to "give people experiencing mental health problems that little helping hand on their journey"

In addition to football, tai chi and pickleball, Sport in Mind also hosts yoga, badminton, table tennis and horse riding sessions across the Surrey.

The charity says the two-year MHIF funding has helped them expand to Surrey Heath, Woking, Runnymede, Reigate and Banstead.

Neil Harris started charity in 2010 after trying to help a childhood friend recover from a mental health struggle with a physical activity programme.

"Many of us experience stress and mental health problems each year," Mr Harris said.

"But no matter who you are finding a sport or physical activity that you enjoy really can have a hugely positive impact on your mental health."

'Profound impact'

Sport in Mind said sessions are led by a qualified instructor and are open to all abilities for anyone over 17 years old.

Ms Wright from the charity said the sessions are delivered every week.

"The impact a session can have on someone is profound," she said.

Jack Wagstaff, the executive director of strategic commission at Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board said sports like football take a "different, non-clinical" approach to supporting mental health.

"Getting people out socialising, exercising and growing in confidence - you can really see the positive impact it is having on their mental wellbeing," Mr Wagstaff said.

Sport in Mind said it engaged with 3,483 adults through sports from 2024 into 2025.

In addition to their adult sessions, the charity said it would "like to introduce mum and baby, youth and educational programmes into Surrey soon."

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