Football fans to kick off wellbeing programme at Pittodrie

24/09/2021
Liz Bowie, AFCCT chief executive

AFC Community Trust launches 12-week course from October

MEN in Aberdeen are being invited to sign up for a free life-changing wellbeing programme at Pittodrie and Aberdeen FC chairman, Dave Cormack, is encouraging male fans to get involved.

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He said: “During this unprecedented period of anxiety as a result of the pandemic, we’ve sadly lost fans to Covid and to other illnesses but also, tragically, to suicide. We’re acutely aware of the mental health challenge facing us, particularly among men who seem to struggle more with talking about their problems. This programme could not have come at a better time and I’d urge any of our male fans who are struggling to consider signing up.”

The Changing Room initiative uses the power of football to explore and improve individuals’ relationships with themselves and offers a strong support network for those who are struggling.

Targeted towards men aged 30 – 64, the course is a Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) project in partnership with the SPFL Trust and football club charities across Scotland.

AFC Community Trust, long time champions of mental wellbeing, will be running a weekly two-hour class at Pittodrie for a 12-week period from Monday, October 4.

Aberdeen FC Community Trust chief executive Liz Bowie added: “We know football can be a powerful force in helping people feel better about themselves and now, as we continue to emerge from the pandemic and readjust to the new norm, we want to make sure we’re doing all we can to support our fans who may be suffering from mental health issues.

“We’re calling on the Red Army to join us in this brilliant programme which uses football and other activities to explore things that impact on mental wellbeing, including how we view ourselves, think and feel.

“The Trust is committed to improving the lives of fans and people in our local community and we hope The Changing Room inspires and supports men in our area to open up and help themselves, and others, improve their mental health.”

The Scottish Government recently pledged an additional £100,000 of funding to The Changing Room project, enabling enhancements to the initiative and widening support for more individuals.

To register interest in attending The Changing Room at Pittodrie, please fill out the form here: https://forms.office.com/r/PD8U1KUiSm

https://forms.office.com/r/PD8U1KUiSm

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