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SOMERSET CRICKET FOUNDATION WELLBEING CHAMPIONS
To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, we wanted to help shine a spotlight on the outstanding work that Somerset Cricket Foundation carry out within this field.
One such initiative is the Wellbeing Champions scheme.
There is a growing appreciation of the benefits and importance of creating environments in which people can be more supported and open about their mental wellbeing. Tackling the stigma, prejudice and discrimination that can be associated with mental health in a sports environment is hugely important in creating a safer and more inclusive club.
Somerset Cricket Foundation are committed to supporting volunteers and their clubs to create a culture where players can access the help required to protect and prevent them from poor mental health.
With this aim, the Foundation created a programme for clubs to engage with called Wellbeing Champions.
As a Wellbeing Champion Somerset Cricket Foundation supports volunteers with:
- Mental Health First Aid training
- Safeguarding training
- Access to monthly peer support & networking with other Champions.
- Resources to start your journey and support across the season
As part of the Wellbeing Champion programme, the Foundation challenged each Champion to pledge to becoming “AWARE”.
AWARE is the Foundations framework to make mentally healthy cricket clubs.
Regarding the inintiative, Somerset Cricket Foundation’s Community Programmes Manager, Steve Gass said: “Mental health and cricket have always received a lot of public attention and it was the vision of Somerset Cricket Foundation to try and continue to help break the stigma surrounding mental health.
“Everyone should have the opportunity to understand more about mental health and feel comfortable to have a conversation with someone. That’s why we introduced the Wellbeing Champion programme and trained volunteers as Mental Health First Aiders.
“It’s not easy to start these conversations, especially in a sporting club environment. This is why we challenge the clubs that have Wellbeing Champions to pledge to become AWARE. Talking about mental health can have so many benefits at cricket clubs. Simply by talking and supporting players mental health, you can improve performance on the field and everyone’s overall wellbeing. It’s also creates the opportunity to reduce the stigma around mental and open the door to more open and honest conversations.”
or more information about the Wellbeing Champion programme and how you can get involved for the 2025 season, please email:
steve.gass@somersetcricketfoundatin.org
As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, many of the Somerset players have featured in a short video for Mind in Somerset in a bid to raise awareness of their “Moving More For Mental Health” campaign.
More information on Mental Health Awareness Week is available vis the link below:
