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Football Club Tackles Mental Health with Soccer
21 Sep
Summary
- A Gloucestershire club offers football matches to combat mental health issues.
- GPs referred 30 individuals to the scheme in a previous season.
- The successful pilot program will return for the 2026/27 season.
A football club in Gloucestershire has recommissioned a successful initiative aimed at addressing mental health challenges. The program offers attendance at football matches as a form of social prescribing to combat issues like low mood and loneliness.
Last season, the pilot program saw General Practitioners refer 30 individuals to the Forest Green Rovers ground in Nailsworth. This initiative was co-developed by club chairman Dale Vince and Dr. Simon Opher, the Labour MP for Stroud and a GP with 30 years of experience.
The positive outcomes of this pilot have prompted the organizers to bring the scheme back for the upcoming 2026/27 football season. Dr. Opher highlighted the significant benefits of social prescribing for improving mental health and overall wellbeing, based on his extensive medical practice.
