The Growth Company and Everton in the Community work together to ‘Kick the Stigma’ of men’s mental health

The Growth Company’s Merseyside Wellbeing Services has celebrated the first group of men to complete a new personal development programme delivered in partnership with Everton Football Club.   
 
Utilising the power of football and working with Everton in the Community, The Growth Company programme ‘Kick the Stigma’ took place at Goodison Park. 

The programme consisted of a range of wellbeing theory and practical sessions, as well as structured, coached football sessions and tours of Everton’s stadium. 

Sarah Wroblewski, Growth Company Key Worker, said: “The pilot course for Kick the Stigma exceeded all expectations and was enjoyed by service users and staff alike. The Everton in the Community staff offered valuable support and knowledge, not only in their coaching but in community engagement and confidence building.”  

“As a team, we provided pivotal interventions that helped all participants understand their stressors/anxieties and a range of coping skills and thinking strategies to overcome these. Furthermore, we explored goal setting, schedule planning and future community engagement opportunities to ensure their journey with Everton in the Community continues after the course.”   

The programme has been a resounding success. Feedback from both participants and Everton in the Community has been outstanding. The sessions played an integral role in promoting overall improved emotional wellbeing amongst participants.  In a survey taken pre and post course, conducted by Everton in the Community, all the indicators of health showed a marked improvement. These included a question on level of confidence which went from an average score of 1.6 to 4 out of 5. 

Two of the participants gave their feedback on the programme: 

Tom: “I have seen a change over the 8 weeks, not only in myself but in the rest of the lads which is nice. Everyone has grown more confident, and I feel comfortable sharing with the staff. The opportunities given to me during the weeks to address my anxiety and stress was eye opening and I’m excited to hopefully get back into support work with Everton in the Community. Also looking forward to the match on Saturday!” 

Kev: “I enjoyed all 8 weeks. Everything was good and I learned a lot about my anxiety, gutted it’s over.” 

The programme prompted participants to help others in their community. One has a long term goal to set up his own charity but in the meantime is in touch with the Veterans Programme at Everton in the Community and will be involved in the charity going forward.  
Another is hoping to become a support worker with Everton in the Community. With previous experience in this area and having completed the course, he is already in contact with the Volunteer Manager at the official charity of Everton Football Club.   

The final celebration session was attended by former Everton players and Club Ambassadors Ian Snodin and Graham ‘Diamond’ Stuart who spent time with the group finding out more about the programme and congratulating them on their achievements.  
 
Dale Davies, Everton in the Community Football Development Lead, said: “The last few months has seen us support a group of men through the Kick the Stigma programme and we have worked closely with them on a series of theory and practical based health and wellbeing workshops to help increase confidence and self-esteem as well as providing them with access to further support and opportunities through Everton in the Community. 
 
“At the end of the eight-week project, all men reported an increase in their health and wellbeing levels, and we have also helped to signpost some individuals to other opportunities within our charity such as our weekly Blue Base Pantry and suitable programmes as well as supporting one man with the start of his coaching badges.”  
 
The success of the programme is set to continue with the second cohort of Kick the Stigma currently underway and with plans to expand the offer of this essential support to service users over the water in the Wirral.