Inspire Suffolk launched a new adult football project for those with mental health issues in December and is now appealing for more new members.
Health Kicks, which is funded by the East of England Co-operative Society, encourages those with a variety of mental health issues to take part in weekly football sessions across Suffolk.
Jason Hadley, the sports development officer for Inspire Suffolk who is leading the project explained: "We already have a variety of user groups that are supporting the project and actively signposting service users to our football sessions.
"However, we have space for more members and will be creating additional football sessions that are aimed at both preventing the cause and managing the effect of mental health issues.”
The sessions run throughout the county as well as at Inspire Suffolk in Ipswich delivering 6-10-week coaching sessions as well as monthly five-a-side events for teams and groups to play against each other.
Health Kicks aims to encourage better health and fitness amongst this particular user group whilst also improving the players' social skills.
Over a 12-month period Health Kicks hopes, through sport, to improve the lives of those with mental health issues by improving their independence and aiding their transition from a hospital environment back into their local community.
Inspire Suffolk’s sports coaches deliver regular sessions across Suffolk including at St Clements Hospital in Ipswich and at Inspire Suffolk’s headquarters in Lindbergh Road in Ipswich.
If you’d like to know more about Health Kicks contact Jason by emailing sdo1@inspiresuffolk.org.uk or call him on 07568 107878.