Cygnet Health Care’s partnership with Taunton Town FC began in 2019, originally as stadium sponsors. Since then, the relationship has flourished with the aim of promoting the positive effect of sport on mental health and wellbeing.
The sponsorship of the Cygnet Health Care Stand represents not only how actively involved the hospital is with supporting the club via their community outreach programme, but also it highlights the ongoing commitment that the club has with regards to service users being involved with the sport.
Staff and 14 service users, representing all the wards at the hospital, attended the ribbon cutting ceremony and to enjoy a celebratory lunch.
Each week the club provides visitor passes for service users to attend local matches. Service users have been attending matches since the start of the season, and value being able participate in activities outside of the ward environment.
Over the next year the club hope to actively involve staff and service users in new areas. For example service users will be able to take part in meaningful activities, such as volunteering on game days by helping with the parking, litter picking, and talking to the public about mental health.
Karl Lindsay, Football Operations Manager at Taunton Town FC, said: “We are delighted to continue the relationship we have built over the last four years with Cygnet Hospital Taunton.
“We are proud to be associated with Cygnet and are fully behind breaking down the barriers associated with mental illness. It is fantastic to see patients come to the ground to watch a game and grow with confidence with each visit through social interaction and being able to work on their anxiety management, as well as the all-important support they give to the team.
“We are proud to continue the partnership with Cygnet Health Care.”
Dr Phil de Warren-Penny, Cygnet Hospital Taunton’s Medical Director, said: “The relationship between Taunton Town Football Club and Cygnet Hospital Taunton is a significant benefit to our service users – breaking down the stigma associated with mental illness and providing a meaningful anchor into the community.”
Stuart Hooper, Head of the Active Life therapy program, said: “Sport and being physically active can bring a powerful and positive impact on mental well-being, so we feel we share the same values as Taunton Town Football Club. We are proud to be sponsoring them for a fourth year and wish the club a successful season ahead with our service users cheering them along.”
Maria Harris, Head of Occupational Therapy at Cygnet Hospital Taunton, said: “The occupational therapy team value and very much welcome the vocational opportunities that Taunton Town FC willingly offer our service users.
“Thank you to Taunton Town FC for supporting our hospital.”