The National Governing Body, a signatory of the Mental Health Charter for Sport and Recreation, has tasked the ambassadors to provide support in a variety of ways to help and encourage people to either start or get back into running and continue running. Each ambassador will create a mental health action plan for their club and establish links with local mental health services in order to share knowledge and generate conversation about the subject. The programme will also help make sure that there is a focus on improving the mental wellbeing of existing members of all England Athletics affiliated clubs and groups.
Liz Purbrick, National Disability Manager at England Athletics said: “We hope the programme can continue to breakdown some of the stigma attached to mental health and support people to access the social, physical and mental wellbeing benefits that running can bring along with the physical and social ones too.”
As a signatory of the Mental Health Charter for Sport and Recreation, England Athletics has established an initiative which puts the Charter’s objectives into action. Individual clubs will benefit from having local mental health ambassadors who can tailor action plans to the specific needs of the group and help to use the power of sport and recreation to promote wellbeing.
Hannah Dobbin, Policy Advisor at the Alliance said: “By empowering ambassadors across the country, athletics clubs will be exposed to positive public health messages and best practice. Since the Charter’s inception, we have been working to ensure signatories have access to the tools required to implement an action plan and lead the sector to creating a welcoming, inclusive and positive environment for all. It is positive to see the commitment made by England Athletics to improve the wellbeing of their participants and to support those with mental health problems by promoting the benefits of physical activity.”
To find out more information about the Mental Health Charter for Sport and Recreation contact Hannah Dobbin - hdobbin@sportandrecreation.org.uk
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