The new Guideposts FC took part in the Mental Health World Cup at the iconic Queen’s Park Rangers’ football ground in May.

The team, called Guideposts FC, was set up by our Hertfordshire Community Mental Health Hub in partnership with members of HPFT (Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust) Community Mental Health Team. The last Guideposts football team disbanded in 2015 so we were thrilled with the enthusiastic response to creating a team again after a decade.

Each member of the team has faced personal, lived experience with mental health challenges, bringing a unique perspective and a deep level of understanding, support and empathy to the team. Being part of the squad helps individuals with their mental health, by regular exercise, and the benefits of being part of a community.

The team also wants to inspire others by breaking down stigma surrounding mental health, promoting a message of recovery and community through sport.

“The aim of the team was to support mental and physical wellbeing through football, but it has been so much more than that.”

Community Spirit

Restarting the team was inspired by a staff member at HPFT, Steve Richards. After attending some Guideposts groups with service users and getting to know our work, Steve decided to hold a football tournament fundraiser in aid of Guideposts, raising £4,500. When asked how he’d like the funds to be used, Steve proposed starting a football team specifically for service users. This idea was quickly taken up with enthusiasm by both service users and the Guideposts staff team who help to facilitate it, and in just a few weeks the weekly training session had 16 regular participants.

“I love being able to play a part in this new venture and journey for service users,” said Steve Richards. “It’s so rewarding to see them enjoying the football and having the confidence to approach me and ask for help, support or just to talk. Barriers have definitely been broken down.”

Paige Field, support worker with Guideposts Trust said “It’s bringing the group together, making stronger friendships, teaching discipline and team-work, with a real shared aim. The team are also getting fitter of course, which helps everyone to feel better both physically and mentally.”

“One service user has gone from being shy and guarded to joining a gym and confidently chatting with others – something his family say is a huge step forward.”

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Mental Health World Cup

Even before the team’s first training session, the prospect of taking part in the Mental Health World Cup was suggested. To take part in a high-profile tournament, in aid of a cause that was so personal to all the team members, seemed like the ideal opportunity – only there was such little time to prepare for it! We decided to go for it, and to use it as our first big target for the team.

While the aim of the team was to support mental and physical wellbeing through football, being invited and taking part in the Mental Health World really took things to a new level!

The annual tournament at Queen’s Park Rangers football stadium is dedicated to raising awareness, addressing the taboo that surrounds mental health and suicide, and raising money for mental health charities. Since its inception, the event has raised over half a million pounds to support mental health.

The team were apprehensive but excited about the tournament. They had only been training for a couple of months, with many members not playing football since they were at school. When the day came, justifiably, the team felt like the underdogs, but their resilience and skills shone through and they played like absolute superstars. The team’s support also shone through, with the crowd of friends, family and Guideposts supporters cheering them on making up one of the biggest groups at the event. The positivity seemed to make a difference, with several members scoring some amazing goals!

One team member said “Of all the other teams, we’d had the least amount of training. I was just there for the fun of it, we weren’t expecting to win. But at least we got goals in the last two matches so it was an achievement as a team. And we showed we can deal with the pressure.”

Alison from our Mental Health Hub commented ‘It was an absolute privilege to be a part of it, I can not express how proud I am. We started only 11 weeks ago, this was our first tournament and what a fantastic one to start with! With all money raised for mental health.”

We can’t wait to see the team grow together and achieve even greater success in the future.