Project worker Julie scoops gold at disability sport awards
A staff member who passionately promotes physical activity for people with severe mental health conditions has won a regional award for her work.
Julie Metcalf, volunteer and workplace development worker and Creative Minds project worker, won gold at the 2024 Disability Sport Yorkshire Awards in the ‘Services to disability sport’ category.
Julie has set up several different physical activity sessions to support people struggling with their mental health from a range of backgrounds. She has linked up with a local charity, St Augustine’s, to provide a welcoming, inclusive, and safe football group where individuals seeking asylum, refugees and individuals with mental health conditions can connect and take part in an activity which makes them feel happier and less isolated.
Julie has also supported people to take part in activities such as climbing, walking, gardening, the gym, kayaking and paddle boarding.
Julie was nominated by Creative Minds development manager Alex Feather, who said: “Many of the people benefitting would struggle to engage with sport and physical activity without her care and attention and the opportunities she sets up and promotes. She has helped many people into volunteering and work and has most certainly made a huge difference to people’s lives through encouraging them to take up more physical activity.”
Alex continued: “Julie will always work with service users to concentrate on their skills, abilities, strengths, and interests. She will go above and beyond to support them. She is a creative problem solver, enthusiastic, motivated, and genuinely caring to service users and their families.”
Julie said: “It was such an honour and a surprise to receive this award. Physical activity brings so many benefits to people and regularly taking part in exercise can help to improve people’s mental health. I am passionate about making physical activity fun and accessible for everyone and enabling people to take part in something they enjoy. To be recognised for this work is very special.”
