Offload is a mental fitness programme aimed specifically at men, which uses the power of our local rugby league clubs and elite players to break down barriers, remove stigma, and offer help and support to local men struggling to deal with mental health problems.
Please note that this project is not open to men who are known, or currently open, to NHS Mental Health Services. This project is specifically designed to reach those “hard to reach” men who do not and will not access traditional mental health services.
The programme consists of 10 fixtures of 80 minutes each, and each fixture will have two halves.
In the first half, men will meet past and current players to find out what challenges they face both on and off the pitch – e.g. bouncing back from injury, handling criticism, or managing life in the public eye – and what mental fitness techniques they use to manage their challenges. Local men will then be supported to use the same mental fitness techniques to manage their own challenges, e.g. coping strategies, stress management techniques, using resilience to manage setbacks, mindfulness, five ways to wellbeing, work-life balance, anger management, emotional resilience etc.
In the second half, men participate in interactive, club-based activities, such as stadium tours, player meet-and-greets, physical activity and team competitions.
Expected outcomes for the men attending include:
- Improved coping strategies
- Feeling less lonely and isolated
- Being able to better understand their own behaviours and more able to handle crises
- Improved relationships with family members
- Access to additional community and volunteering activities
- An increased desire for change and increased interest in education, training and employment
Referrals:
For Warrington males:
If you identify a local male who you think will benefit from this project, discuss it with them and give them the attached leaflet.
They can then either contact the Club directly or, if they are happy for you to do so, you can refer them to the Wolves using the attached referral form.
For Halton males:
Contact Adam Daniels on 0151 4952250 (Option 4) | Email: adamd@widnesvikings.co.uk
They can also just drop into a session at the Halton Stadium, which runs on Tuesday nights 6.30pm to 8pm.
Please make use of this fantastic project – an innovative way to engage our local men to build their own mental fitness.
