Home / Health / NHS Uses Men's Sports Group for Mental Health Support
NHS Uses Men's Sports Group for Mental Health Support
3 Apr
Summary
- A men's sports group in Suffolk is an informal NHS referral service.
- The group offers activities like yoga, football, and darts.
- It combats loneliness and provides community support for men.
A men's mental health organization based in Bury St Edmund's, Suffolk, is now informally used by the NHS as a community support service. Moreton Men Sports Group, established in 2024, started with 15 members and has since grown to include over 200 men aged 17 to 52.
The Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) refers individuals who do not require clinical intervention but would benefit from community support to the group. Founder Adam Townsend, who started the group to address his own loneliness, believes it can alleviate pressure on the NHS.
The group facilitates open communication among men through sports like football, yoga, and darts, addressing the societal taboo against male vulnerability. Members report significant improvements in mental health, reduced loneliness, and enhanced confidence.
Youngest member Alex, 17, who has hearing loss, feels welcomed and part of a family, with his father noting the group's positive impact on his social skills. NSFT views these community connections as vital for providing effective, localized mental health and wellbeing services.
