Sky Blues’ Warwick project helps men in need

The Sky Blues in the Community scheme is working with mental health charity Rethink’s Coventry and Warwickshire branches to bring a 12-week course to St Nicholas park in Warwick.

The sessions - which include advice on accessing services, diet and health and fitness - have been made possible thanks to funding from Warwick District Council.

Mental health services worker Andy John, of the Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Partnership Trust, said: “Football is a great way to bring people together - and sometimes gives us a better chance of working with people who haven’t accessed mental health services before.”

Warwick and Leamington MP Chris White went along to the first session in early January. He said: “There is still a powerful stigma that attaches to mental illness unfortunately, so the more ways there are to encourage people to get the help they need, the better. It is good to see this innovative approach.”