Football for Better Minds
Become a Mental Health Champion
Across the 2023/24 season, volunteers, coaches, secretaries, players and officers of grassroots football clubs and leagues in Hampshire will have the opportunity to undertake a Mental Health Champion qualification, with Mental Health First Aider England, and delivered by Havant & East Hants Mind.
Our Objectives
1. To improve our grassroots football representatives’ ability to cope with mental health issues.
2. Recognise and appreciate our grassroots community, by providing free access to accredited training.
3. Help retain our grassroots volunteers via peer-to-peer support and facilitate better mental health practices within the game.
4. Foster more supporting and safer environments for individuals struggling with mental health issues.
5. Increase the overall awareness of mental health support within the county.
What the football for better minds course includes
Qualification as a Mental Health Champion accredited by Mental Health First Aid England
Access to the Football For Better Mind support group
A SPOND group set up by Hampshire FA and led by volunteers who have completed the Mental Health Champion course. This group offers newly qualified Mental Health Champions a space to help each other, connect and share best practices.
After becoming qualified, our Mental Health Champions are encouraged to embrace their newfound knowledge and take on the role of Mental Health Champion within their respective Club or League, taking pressure off Club Welfare Officers, who may currently be dealing with mental health-related queries without having access to specific training on the topic of mental health.
How To Register
Five dates for courses across the 2023/24 season have been confirmed below. The training is free to attend for accredited clubs and leagues within Hampshire.
6th / 13th June - 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Online - Zoom
24th / 25th June - 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Online - Zoom
To ensure that the Mental Health Champions are representative of Hampshire’s community, 10% of the spaces will be reserved for people from communities that are currently under-represented within the Hampshire Football Community. Based on our current EDI data profile, priority groups include women, individuals from South Asian heritage, and Black British, Caribbean, and African communities.
Non-accredited clubs can also attend, at a discounted price of £125 per representative. Usual cost of training is £200 per representative. The Mental Health Champion course is accredited by Mental Health First Aider England and delivered by Havant & East Hants Mind. Attendees must be over the age of 18.
REGISTER TO BECOME A MENTAL HEALTH CHAMPION
If you are experiencing issues accessing the registration form, please click here.