Notts County Foundation have launched the new men’s mental wellbeing programme Added Time this month. Rather than wait until a diagnosis is given or the issues men in Nottinghamshire face get to a severe level, Added Time focusing on prevention rather than intervention by encouraging wellbeing discussions to take place as soon as these problems arise. To reinforce this, the slogan – ‘Don’t blow the whistle yet, take some added time’ epitomises what the fresh provision is about. It informs men to take some time out and to have these potentially difficult discussions before it is too late. The sessions combine physical activity like 5-a-side football with open conversations about the battles so many people face.
The programme, which launched last week, is a free sports and wellbeing provision for men aged over 18. A study by Priory Group outlined that 77% of men have suffered with mental health issues like anxiety, stress or depression at some point in their life, but only 40% of men have never spoken to anyone about their mental health. These staggering statistics are why Notts County Foundation felt it was imperative to introduce a safe and welcoming environment where men can engage in open conversation. The 12-week rolling programme uses current sporting examples to support men experiencing low mood and/or in need of a safe space to talk. The sessions are FREE and open to all, with no diagnosis requirements and are located at Brendon Lawrence Sports Centre every Tuesday 6PM-7:30PM.
Josh Stevenson (Notts County Foundation Health Manager) said: “Added Time is all about creating a safe space through the engagement of sport and physical activity for men to be open and feel supported about their mental wellbeing. We feel through sport and activity we can break down those barriers’ men might face when discussing their wellbeing, allowing us to build relationships, offer peer support, discussion-based workshops around top tips, building confidence and personalised goals for their mental and physical health. Added Time allows men to know there are not alone and we are here to help them make a positive change to on wellbeing.”
An Added Time participant from the first session said: “I really enjoyed the variety of activities on offer, being able to get involved and meeting new people that I can relate to as well as share with. I now have something to look forward to each week that I feel is going to be a huge benefit to me.”
To find out more, please contact josh.stevenson@nottscountyfoundation.org.uk
