Local people use football to boost their mood

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People who use services provided by South West Yorkshire Mental Health Trust have taken part in the Trust’s Good Mood football league. The winners have been crowned at this year’s tournament, held at Dewsbury Sports Centre.

The Trust provides mental health and learning disability services to people in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield and it’s football league was set up to encourage people to get active and meet new people as a way of keeping both their minds and bodies healthy. The competition brought together staff and service users from all across the Trust and ten teams entered in total.

A team called ‘Access 100’ from Dewsbury won the tournament and the trophy was presented to them by Huddersfield Town midfielder, Andy Holdsworth.

"I think it’s great that people with mental health problems are being encouraged to get involved in football" said Andy. "I’m happy to be presenting the trophy to the winning team and hope that all the teams who took part will continue to play and enjoy the sport."

Jeanne Mills who took part in the tournament said, "I love playing football. I’ve met loads of new people and it’s really boosted my confidence".

Staff nurse Kieran Breedon said, "Sport is a real leveller. It’s a great chance for people to get involved in something that makes everybody equal."

The Trust’s diversity and equality manager Aboobaker Bhana helped set up the football league and said "The tournament was a great success and it was good to see those who took part enjoying themselves. We are really grateful to Andy Holdsworth for his support on the day. We would also like to thank the rest of Huddersfield Town F.C. who encouraged the league’s players to keep up their football by giving them free tickets to a match."

Local people use football to boost their mood

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