Last Saturday, Harrogate Town Association Football Club (AFC) invited NHS North Yorkshire Talking Therapies to a home game to help raise mental health awareness.
Matt Stephenson, a psychological wellbeing practitioner with North Yorkshire Talking Therapies and a member of Harrogate Town AFC in his spare time, facilitated the event which saw the football club play against Gillingham FC at The Exercise Stadium.
Matt said:
“Lots of people attended the game to support their club and showed an interest in interacting with our Talking Therapies team to learn more about mental health and wellbeing.
“Some of our staff and partnership forum members, including Kiesha Bentley, Poppy Danahay, Helen Dodd, Carla Webb and Jackie, were also at the game welcoming fans in by the gates and handing out flyers for the service whilst the players warmed up.”
Poppy Danahay, a team manager at North Yorkshire Talking Therapies, said:
“It was great to hear good feedback about the service. Several fans had already heard about us with one or two having used our Talking Therapies service.”
During the match last Saturday, Harrogate Town players showcased their brand-new NHS Talking Therapies branded t-shirts.
Mascot, Harry Gator, paraded around the stands also wearing one.
Poppy added:
“It’s important to know about NHS Talking Therapies as it empowers people to manage common mental health problems like depression and anxiety.
“The services are designed to help people with their mental health and wellbeing by recommending therapies, strategies and tools best suited to the problems they are experiencing and the goals they have set for themselves.
“Talking Therapies are free, confidential and you don’t need a diagnosis to get support.”
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust’s, Talking Therapies services are available across North Yorkshire, York and Selby, Durham and Darlington, and Teesside.
Poppy said:
“Whilst the game ended as a draw at 1-1, the day was a massive success and so fun!
“Thank you to everyone who came down and interacted with our team, and a big thank you to Harrogate Town AFC for hosting our NHS Talking Therapies staff.”
For more information on TEWV Talking Therapies services, please head to their website here.
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