Grab a mate and get active for your physical and mental health!
As we progress through our third season in partnership with the English Football League (EFL), we're reflecting on the fantastic work that has been achieved on the 'Get Set to Go' programme, thanks to EFL clubs and local Minds.
Participants benefit both physically and mentally from playing football and also from meeting up regularly with a group of people who, like them, have experienced mental health problems. Take a look at the video of the Get Set To Go programme in action at EFL clubs.
The video shows the Get Set To Go programme in Stevenage and Wimbledon. It features:
- participants talking about the positives of being involved in the programme
- coaches describing the sessions and the training they have received
- a representative from a local Mind describing the benefits physical activity can have on mental health.
Why not have your mate’s back and contact a friend who you think would benefit from a kick about, a walk or a run with you? Find more ways to get active with our information and resources.
Get Set to Go and EFL clubs
Get Set to Go is a nationwide physical activity programme run by Mind (and funded by Sport England and the National Lottery) which aims to support people with mental health problems to get more active as a way of improving their mental wellbeing. It was expanded, thanks to fundraising from the EFL and Mind’s ‘On Your Side’ partnership, to include nine EFL Clubs:
- Carlisle United (Carlisle Eden Mind)
- Charlton Athletic (Mind in Bexley)
- Derby County (Derbyshire Mind)
- Millwall (Bromley, Lewisham and Greenwich Mind)
- Newport County (Newport Mind)
- Sheffield Wednesday AFC (Sheffield Mind)
- Stevenage (Mind in Mid Herts)
- Sunderland AFC (Washington Mind)
- Wimbledon AFC (Mind in Kingston)
Although coronavirus interrupted face-to-face delivery of the programme, social contact between many of the participants was maintained during lockdown, with some online delivery of physical activity taking place. The programme has been extended to February 2021, with results due to be published in the Spring.
“Being physically active has made me more motivated to do things. I’ve got to meet new people. It just makes me feel happier.
At the first Get Set to Go meeting I was only able to say my name; I nearly ran out crying I was so stressed. By the end I could chat happily with the group, including the instructors.
My motivation has been to stay out of hospital due to severe asthma, to keep fit and to lose weight. I’ve not been in hospital since March, over 9 months ago, and I’ve lost two stone in weight.”
