Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe and his coaching staff wowed fans in a session of walking football and soccer talks ahead of World Mental Health Day.
The peer support group, which was set up by the Newcastle United Foundation during Covid, is attended by people over the age of 50, and the group openly discusses a range of well-being issues, such as social isolation and anxiety.
The Magpies boss visited the Foundation’s NUCASTLE community center on Thursday, when he took part in a traveling soccer game alongside backroom staff Jason Tindall, Graeme Jones, Simon Weatherstone and Stephen Purches, as they competed against the regulars who attend the community program.
After the physical activity, they participated in a football quiz and a league prediction of scores, as well as going over the talking points from the weekend’s win over Fulham and how participating in the Football Talks sessions has improved the group mental well-being.
The North East of England has suffered some of the highest suicide rates in the UK in recent years, while one in four adults in Newcastle-upon-Tyne will suffer from mental health problems at some point in their life, the equivalent of 12,989 fans. at a home game.
To help raise awareness of the Football Talks sessions and adult wellness, Eddie Howe took part in a series of interviews, commenting: “It’s really inspiring to be here and educate because you come here and you’re not always mindful of people, their routines and what they’re going through, but when you hear people talk about itinerant football and the impact it’s had, not only on their health but also on their mental well-being, it’s powerful. It’s helping to give them a new purpose to get up. one morning and stay in shape – there are so many positives to take away from it.
The Magpies head coach addressed the issues facing the group around wellness and had a message of advice for anyone who may be struggling with their mental health.
“It can be very difficult to talk if you don’t have that support network, but if you have family or friends that you can talk to, then it helps,” she said. “If people are isolated and alone, it’s important that there are environments where people come together and today we’ve seen that football can make people talk in ways they don’t necessarily realize.
“My advice would be to try to get out of the house and go somewhere, like a session or an organization where you can just ask questions. Find an activity you enjoy and something you love to do and once you find it and they’re closer to other people with the same interests, then hopefully they will be encouraged to share their problems.
Thomas Graham, Health and Wellbeing Projects Coordinator at the Newcastle United Foundation, added: “Since the launch of the Football Talks programme, we have seen a huge improvement in the wellbeing of our group. The core of the group attends every week and has built friendships outside of sessions, which is the impact we hoped to see.
“Through Football Talks and Walking Football, we’ve been able to engage with new participants who were once hard to reach. They are now popular shows that are having a life-changing impact on our community.”
Newcastle United Foundation Football Talks is part of the charity’s #BeAGameChanger wellness program which works with adults and young people on a daily basis through a range of school and community projects, helping to tackle mental health issues and the stigma around to open up and talk.
World Mental Health Day takes place on October 10, with this year’s theme to make mental health and well-being for all a global priority. Newcastle United Foundation’s Be A Game Changer program has a free and confidential 24/7 text service for anyone struggling. Text “BAGC” to 85258.
“If people are isolated and alone, it’s important that there are environments where people come together and today we’ve seen that football can get people talking in ways they don’t necessarily realize.”
