Hendon FC, based at Silver Jubilee Park in Kingsbury, runs an outreach programme alongside with Early Years Intervention Service. The programme harnesses the power of sport with the difference that physical activity and community can make on a person’s wellbeing. It gives people from the community and in hospital who are experiencing mental health problems, an opportunity to play football every week; training in tailored sessions, and playing competitive games on the Hendon FC Mental Health team.
Service users from Cygnet Hospital Harrow gain such a lot by attending this football training and enjoy it a great deal. They have fun meeting new people, gaining more football knowledge and, probably most importantly, becoming confident away from the hospital wards, mixing with the public in the community. Stephen Benson-Cole, Therapy Services Manager at Cygnet Hospital Harrow.
One of our the service users in particular impressed the coaches. They spoke very highly of his footballing ability and attitude during the training sessions and he was selected to represent the Hendon FC football team. He has played two matches; contributing to scoring goals and helping the team win.
Hendon FC are also offering service users a chance to enroll on an 8 week course “Principles in Coaching”, which gives service users the chance to potentially start getting involved in coaching down the line.
Thank you Hendon FC, for providing this opportunity to the lads who, we know, love it!