This week it’s Mental Health Awareness Week, and the Hull FC Community Foundation is supporting Hull & East Yorkshire Mind, as well as the Hull NHS CCG, to help promote positive mental health across the region.

Mental Health Awareness Week, which takes place from Monday 9th to Sunday 15th May 2022, is an annual event where there is an opportunity for the whole of the UK to focus on achieving good mental health.

Loneliness is affecting more and more of us in the UK and it has had a huge impact on our physical and mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic. Our connection to other people and our community is fundamental to protecting our mental health and we need to find better ways of tackling the epidemic of loneliness. We can all play a part in this.

Hull & East Yorkshire Mind will be raising awareness of the impact of loneliness on our mental health and the practical steps we can take to address it.

The Hull FC Community Foundation has already taken positive strides forward to tackle loneliness, particularly in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, through a series of projects launched within the last twelve months.

Unite Fitness, Match Fit and Our Best Years are just a few of the new projects the Hull FC Community Foundation has established within the last year – all of which promote better health whilst helping people both young and old get out and talking to others, thus preventing the feeling of loneliness.

Erica Daley, Chief Operating Officer of the Hull NHS CCG said: “Because of the connection people feel with rugby league in Hull, it just makes people more comfortable to coming along to some of our sessions.

“The current work with Age UK Hull through the Our Best Years project has been really pleasing to see so many people from the older population coming along and meeting new people.

“They have been coming in every week, taking part in exercises, activities and games, whilst having a bit of banter about which club in Hull is the best, which is all in good spirit of course! It’s been absolutely fantastic.”

In addition, the Community Foundation has also engaged with local juniors through it’s Energise Club, an after-school activity programme for primary school children.

There is strong evidence that indicates that feeling close to, and valued by, other people is a fundamental human need and one that contributes to functioning well in the world. With this in mind, try to do something different this Mental Health Awareness Week and make a connection.

Gary, one of several participants on the ‘Match Fit’ programme, which seeks to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of men, said: “I think that when you go to the gym by yourself it can be a bit laborious, but I find that these kind of projects are great for building friendships through the good camaraderie that we have at the sessions.”

Similarly, 39-year-old Sarah, who attends our Unite Fitness sessions, said: “At Unite, it’s fantastic to talk to like-minded women and that makes me feel comfortable, so I feel more inclined to work harder to achieve my goals.”

Maisie Malton, Head of Health & Wellbeing at the Hull FC Community Foundation said: “We are proud to be working in collaboration with Hull & East Yorkshire Mind and the East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

“Mental Health Awareness Week is an important week in the year to help people realise the importance of good mental health, as well as highlighting the many support networks for those who may be suffering with poor mental health. The Hull FC Community Foundation is committed to facilitating any support it possibly can.”

For more information on Mental Health Awareness Week or the campaign, click here

For information, advice and support, contact Hull and East Yorkshire Mind’s Information Line 24 hours a day on 01482 240133 or email info@heymind.org.uk