A programme which uses football to promote mental health and
wellbeing has received additional funding from Scottish
Government.
The Changing Room - Extra Time initiative has been awarded
£100,000 for a fourth year.
It builds on The Changing Room - a 12-week programme which takes
place at football stadiums across Scotland and supports men to
open up as they participate in walking football games, stadium
tours, pitch-side walks and talks from a motivational speaker.
Extra Time aims to give people the chance to speak in more depth
about their mental wellbeing and explore areas which are giving
them particular challenges or concerns.
The programme is delivered by SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental
Health) in partnership with the SPFL Trust and associated
community trusts at Aberdeen (AFC Community Trust), Rangers
(Rangers Charity Foundation), Heart of Midlothian (Big Hearts)
and Hibernian (Hibernian Community Foundation) football clubs.
Health Secretary , who visited the initiative at
Pittodrie, home of Aberdeen FC as part of Mental Health Awareness
Week, said:
“We know that it's never been more important to look after our
physical and mental wellbeing. It is pleasing to see this
initiative go into its fourth year and to hear that is really is
making a difference to people's lives.
“We shouldn't be afraid to talk about how we are feeling and
this project has really helped people open up about their mental
health.”
Billy Watson, Chief Executive at SAMH said:
“The Changing Room - Extra Time project changes lives. It builds
confidence, helps get relationships on the right track and it has
even saved lives.
“Football and mental health are a great match. What this project
shows is that football fans are not just comfortable talking
about their mental health, they're really keen to do so – as long
as it's in the right place. The Changing Room - Extra Time is the
right place and we're really grateful that the Scottish
Government has agreed to continue to fund it.”
Kyle Hewitt, 37, from Dyce attended Changing Room Extra Time at
Aberdeen FC and said:
"I grew up aware of mental health and its potential impacts on
people and those around them because of my own experience. But
sometimes I didn't feel like I had the ability to face the world.
I had low moments as a parent and a husband, I wasn't always nice
to be around and I could be hyper-critical of myself.
“Then I embarked on a journey through Extra Time with like-minded
men and amazing facilitators from SAMH. I realised I had been
deflecting, avoiding and bottling things up. I was able to give
myself credit for what I was doing. I also became more resilient
and better at creating positive habits and finding ways to change
my outlook and mind-set. I have thrived as a result.”
Aberdeen Community Trust Chief Executive, Liz Bowie said:
“We are delighted to deliver the Changing Room Extra Time
programme at Aberdeen FC Community Trust, working in partnership
with SAMH and the SPFL Trust. We have learned so much
through the support of SAMH, which has ensured that our staff are
appropriately trained and mentored to provide excellent support
to the men who participate in this initiative. We have seen
amazing results and crucially have watched strong, supportive
networks build amongst the participants which extend well beyond
the term of the course itself. Football is a force for good
and is so powerful in encouraging men to talk and open up to each
other in support of their mental wellbeing.”
Background
The Changing Room - Extra Time has received £400,000 from the
Scottish Government since it was established in 2021.
The Changing Room, which is funded by Movember and supported by
the Scottish Professional Football League Trust (SPFL Trust), was
first created in 2018 at Hibernian Football Club, and rolled out
to Heart of Midlothian Football Club later that year.
