Derby County Football Club and Derby County Community Trust are celebrating International Men’s Day by highlighting the brilliant achievements of participants and raising awareness around men’s physical and mental health and wellbeing.
Several of the Community Trust’s project have a focus on support male health.
From weight loss and exercise classes which focus on reducing the effects of long-term health conditions, particularly prevalent in males and certain ethnicities, to supporting males who have had a cancer diagnosis, live with a mental health condition, are beating addiction or have may stresses in their everyday lives and need a place to relax and chat, all sessions aim to reduce health inequalities.
Fit Fans is an EFL wide initiative which encourages football fans to come together and tackle weight loss. Men are more likely to develop weight-related illnesses, including Type 2 diabetes.
The Community Trust’s last male cohort lost a staggering 23 stone in weight between them along with cutting their alcohol intake and takeaway consumption by over 60%.
Active Recovery supports individuals who have received a cancer diagnosis and treatment within the last five years. Male-specific cancers including prostate and testicular cancer rates are high amongst the participants we support, with over 250 males having benefitted from the project.
Wellbeing For All uses the power of Derby County Football Club to raise awareness around specific cancers which can be more prevalent in ethnic minorities – notably prostate cancer in black males which was highlighted in a Barber Shop event at Pride Park Stadium at the start of this year.
Get Set to Go is a physical activity programme which provides sessions for those with mental health problems.
Football sessions are mainly targeted at males with diagnosed conditions to provide an inclusive environment where they get to take part in physical activity and socialise.
Tackle It is the Community Trust’s adolescent project aimed at supporting the mental wellbeing of teenage males aged 12-17. Nationally, the demand on NHS services for male teenagers exceeds the provision they can offer, so the Trust aim to offer support and coping mechanisms for those who may be waiting for NHS services, or just need a little extra support from beyond their school or family environment.
Team Talk aims to offer the same level of support for males aged 18+, who find they need a ‘safe space’ to chat and socialise. The groups do not provide therapy or professional support but act as a sounding board for men to talk to like-minded individuals and share problems as well as making friend to share good news with too.
Active Choices is the Community Trust’s long-standing substance misuse rehabilitation projects which supports a client base which is around three quarters male. Using physical activity as a tool and creating routine to beat addiction has seen countless success stories, with three past participants now full-time members of staff at the Community Trust.
For more information on any of the Derby County Community Trust’s programmes, and to find out how to get involved, please visit derbycountycommmunitytrust.com.
