During Mental Health Awareness Week (May 12-18), Sport in Mind launched a powerful short film to highlight its work.
The theme of this year’s annual awareness week is ‘Community’ and the film, which was produced by Rhys Chapman, encapsulates how the charity supports people through sport and physical activity in communities across England and Wales.
ACTIVITIES
Each week, Sport in Mind supports over 1,000 individuals, offering activities ranging from tennis and yoga to walking groups and art sessions. The charity’s approach not only addresses physical health but also combats social isolation, empowering participants to rebuild confidence and forge meaningful connections.
Since its launch in 2010, Sport in Mind’s close partnership with the NHS has enabled it to support more than 31,000 people experiencing mental health challenges.
Also this week, the LTA hosted Sport in Mind’s first meeting of national governing bodies (NGBs) to talk about language in mental health and sport.
Sport in Mind is a national partner of the LTA, and also a charity partner of LTA Tennis Foundation. As part of the partnership, it is able to use the National Tennis Centre free of charge to host an event each year, and so this week brought together representatives from football, volleyball, equestrian, badminton, youth, rugby, pickleball and other sports to learn from, and network with each other. Read the full story.
IMPORTANT
Beth Marriott, National Partnerships Manager for Sport in Mind, commented: “It was fantastic to see so many NGBs come together on Monday to discuss such an important topic, and thank you to the LTA for hosting such a powerful event during Mental Health Awareness Week.
"Sport in Mind are so proud to have such a strong partnership with the LTA, and each year we see it go from strength to strength, supporting more individuals with their mental health. As an organisation we are excited to see our well-established partnership build further - continuing to make a huge impact throughout the tennis community and beyond.”
With funding from the LTA Tennis Foundation, Sport in Mind has expanded its existing tennis sessions for adults and launched a new programme specifically for children. These sessions are now being delivered across seven counties, with 18 venues supporting over 250 participants to access tennis.
BENEFITS
Meanwhile Sport In Mind are also set to become The Golf Foundation’s Mental Health Delivery Partner for 2025, helping to raise the benefits of golf for young people’s mental health. Working collaboratively, the two organisations will seek to reach new audiences and increase their impact together. Read more about the partnership.
“I am thrilled to collaborate with the Golf Foundation to provide children and young people facing mental health challenges with access to sports,” said Kayleigh Harris, Head of Growth and Innovation at Sport In Mind.
“It’s crucial that our young Sport in Mind participants have the chance to explore new activities because we believe that everyone has a sport that suits them—it’s just a matter of finding it! We are eagerly looking forward to seeing the positive outcomes of this partnership and how it will benefit the young people involved.”
Finally, 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the Mental Health Charter for Sport and Recreation – find out more from the Sport & Recreation Alliance.
Read the Sport in Mind 2024/25 Impact Report.
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