Take a look at the video of the ‘Get Set To Go’ programme in action at EFL clubs. Participants benefit both physically and mentally from playing football but also from meeting up regularly with a group of people who, like them, have experienced mental health problems.
Why not have your mate’s back and contact a friend who you think would benefit from a kick about, a walk or a run with you? Click here for Mind’s suggestions on how to Get Active: www.mind.org.uk/getactive
‘Get Set to Go’ is a nationwide physical activity programme run by Mind (and funded by Sport England and the National Lottery) which aims to support people with mental health problems to get more active as a way of improving their mental wellbeing. It was expanded, thanks to fundraising from the EFL and Mind’s ‘On Your Side’ partnership, to include nine EFL Clubs: Charlton Athletic, Millwall, Carlisle United, Derby County, AFC Wimbledon, Stevenage, Newport County, Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland AFC. These clubs and their Community Club Organisations partnered with their respective local Minds to deliver the ‘Get Set to Go’ programme.
Although coronavirus interrupted face to face delivery of the programme, social contact between many of the participants was maintained during lockdown, with some online delivery of physical activity taking place. The programme has been extended to Feb 2021, with results published in the Spring.
A Sheffield participant said
“Being physically active has made me more motivated to do things. I’ve got to meet new people. It just makes me feel happier.
“At the first Get Set to Go meeting I was only able to say my name; I nearly ran out crying I was so stressed. By the end I could chat happily with the group, including the instructors.
“When I first went to a rehab class, there was no way I’d go to a gym but as I did more classes, I got to see that I could use a gym. Now I like working out.
“My motivation has been to stay out of hospital due to severe asthma, to keep fit and to lose weight. I’ve not been in hospital since March, over 9 months ago, and I’ve lost 2 stone in weight.”
For more information on Get Set to Go please visit - https://www.mind.org.uk/about-us/our-policy-work/sportphysical-activity-and-mental-health/get-set-to-go/