CTF wins prestigious London Personalised Care Award

One of the most innovative and longstanding sports based mental health projects in the country, Coping Through Football has been recognised as an inspirational success story for the way in which it has consistently demonstrated how the lives of adults and young people experiencing mental health issues can be transformed. It provides a service with a difference with the goal of empowering participants to lead healthier and more independent lives, and this most recent award comes under the “Giving Confidence” category.

The Personalised Care Awards recognise inspirational success stories which have had an influence on the life of individuals and the health and care system as a whole.

After carefully reviewing 168 applications across London, Coping Through Football was selected as the winner of the ‘Giving Confidence’ award. CTF is a partnership project that supports the recovery of adults and young people (aged 12 -17) experiencing mental health issues. It delivers therapeutic, recovery based sessions through a partnership between NELFT, London Playing Fields Foundation and Leyton Orient Trust.

Delivered by qualified mental health staff and clinicians working with trained coaches from Leyton Orient Trust, Coping Through Football delivered a total of 290 sessions for 179 adults. Through the programme, in the past year:
– 15 participants had applied for a job.
– 12 participants gained paid employment.
– 20 participants applied for a course.
– 16 participants attended a training session.
– 12 participants gained a qualification.
– 17 participants gained volunteering experience.

Multi agency funding from NELFT, LB Waltham Forest Public Health, LB Redbridge Public Health and the London Playing Fields Foundation ensures the ongoing success of the project.

Quote from an attendee:
“At CTF, I’ve made good friends with one person. We talk on WhatsApp and text. We go out for meals; we go to the pub, and I share a lot of my worries with him. I’ve done loads of courses: first aid at work, manual handling and a pre-care certificate that really helped me to look after my dad who has diabetes. I learnt how to test his blood sugar, blood pressure and how to inject the insulin.”

NELFT Project Lead Barbara Armstrong said: “We are so pleased that Coping Through Football has been recognised in this way. The project has always tried to be innovative and forward thinking in its support to individuals experiencing mental health issues, by helping people find confidence, and more meaning in their lives. The project continues to go from strength to strength, and we look forward to our next year. Thank you to Will Slemmings of NHS North East London for nominating us and all those who continue to support the project.”