Mental health charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) recognises that Football has a massive role to play in the way we deal with mental health and suicide. In partnership with Carling, CALM launched a campaign – More Than a Game; More Than a Game champions the positive role grassroots football can play in helping people to tackle everyday struggles. The campaign has recruited clubs across the UK that embrace an open approach to mental health and wellbeing to become CARING UNITED clubs, providing accredited Mental Health First Aid Training to players, captains and managers.
At Community Kickabout, we’re very grateful to have been selected as one of the Caring United clubs; as well as the offer of Mental Health First Aid training we have received new kit and equipment which is supporting the growth of our weekly Football sessions.
Polling data commissioned by CALM reveals many are struggling with their mental health in a post-pandemic world. The recent survey gathered responses from more than 2000 adults across the UK revealed over half (51%) of people claim to know someone struggling with their mental wellbeing, with more than a quarter (27%) saying they are unlikely to talk about it. The More Than a Game campaign aims to encourage people to open up in a safe environment, highlight the positive role local grassroots football clubs play in their communities and raise awareness of the services CALM provides.
We’ve issued Caring United branded kit to our players who’ve committed to block booking sessions, whilst the new balls and bibs have been put to good use as it has allowed our sessions to continue to grow and accommodate more players. We also recently used one of our sessions to raise funds for CALM; Our 9th May 2022 session coincided with Mental Health awareness week. As we’ve received grateful support from CALM through their Caring United campaign, all participation fees from that session were donated to CALM. We raised £400 for the charity.
Community Kickabout 