24 November 2017

Next stop Wembley for CNWL's award-winning Brent support worker and his football team

For immediate publication

It took two and a half years for Richard Hay to create Hendon Football Group for patients under Mental Health Services. The support worker from Brent Early Intervention in Psychosis service has now been awarded Brent Council Employee of the Year at the Pride of Brent Awards for his tireless efforts.

After receiving tonnes of referrals for patients to play football as a means of recovery and finding no suitable team in Brent, Richard decided to create one. People being referred came from areas of very low income where there are high numbers of gangs. The community didn't understand their mental health issues and so patients were isolated, stigmatised. Creating connections through football was going to be a challenge, but it was important. Richard set to work. He knocked on the doors of officials; met with local providers and authority figures; made phone calls. He didn't take no for an answer.

"I received lots of knock backs," says Richard, "But, finally, I got to pitch my idea to the Director of Hendon Football Club. I told him I wanted to create a sense of belonging, somewhere with a real community spirit and that regularly playing football would really benefit our patients' physical health. He liked the idea and so we put a package together, and sent it off to The National Wembley Stadium Trust who agreed to fund the project."

Steve Cook, Divisional Director Jameson, said; "I'm so pleased for Richard - this award marks his fantastic achievement in improving mental health through sport. He never gave up on his vision for a football group, not just as a place for people to play football but as a vehicle to improve physical health, community, confidence and hope for service users with mental health problems."

"I know from hearing about the project that the service users have been involved from the start. They've been at the forefront of the idea and that's how it's grown. In the first week, there were only four people but then the numbers started to grow. Now, the group sees a sustained level of engagement across a wide group of service users."

Now, Richard says he feels that the community is going to look after and care for the patients. The group has helped people to understand mental health services and patients have been able to connect with their community. Players have seen improvement in both their physical and mental health.

"I didn't realise how much the group meant to them," says Richard, "In the first week, nobody would run. But I see them running around, hungry for competition - it's made such a difference.

"One guy said he hasn't been outside for years and now he is able to go out and meet people, to go to a football stadium and another person has also said his recovery has been quite rapid. Parents and carers have come up to me and told me about what a difference the group has made. One man said ‘thank you man, my son needed this.'

"The team express themselves now. On the pitch, you can see those real emotions coming out. They're empowered now to approach their doctors, talking about their physical health. They're taking control and they're in charge of their own wellbeing."

The Hendon Football group started late June 2017 and runs every week on a Thursday afternoon from 3:30pm to 5:30pm, Richard attend all sessions. After only three months they have had 27 referrals, all service users under Mental Health Services, primarily the Early Intervention Service who work primarily with younger people with a psychotic illness.

Editor's notes:

The group 

The Hendon Football group started late June 2017 and runs every week on a Thursday afternoon from 3:30pm to 5:30pm; Richard attends all sessions.

After only three months they have had 27 referrals, all service users under Mental Health Services, primarily the Early Intervention Service who work primarily with younger people with a psychotic illness. The group regularly has 12-15+ attendees, and commitment from the attendees is high.

All players get their own kit, which they are responsible for and need look after and a season ticket to Hendon Football club. In line with his vision, the group has focused not just on playing football but on diet, exercise and health promotion; all participants are given materials and advice on healthy lifestyle choices and the coach gives talks on diet, exercise and healthy living advice as part of their role.

Richard has also secured input from the EIS Occupational Therapist and team doctor to further promote positive health and lifestyle. Players are encouraged to take an active role in the group, with those that have been there longer supporting recent joiners and making them feel welcomed. The feedback from service users, carers and staff who have attended the group has been very positive.  Richard's next goal is to get the team ready and entered onto a local league and the coach is leading on this currently.

The FA have been following up on the group and feedback has been positive. They approached Richard requesting permission to make a short film of the group and interview him and the players for World Mental Health day. The filming took place on 5 October 2017.

Photos: 1) Richard with his award and 2) A member of the group

For more details:

Contact Senior Communications Officer Jeremy Dunning on 0203 214 5756 or emailjeremy.dunning@nhs.net

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Stephenson House, 75 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PL
Tel: 020 3214 5756 e-mail:communications.cnwl@nhs.net