Positive Pilgrims
The Positive Pilgrims project has been created to engage adults and children who experience mental health issues in Lincolnshire by using the power of sport and the Boston United Football Club brand to create exciting pathways into training, volunteering and employment.
The Positive Pilgrims project also aims to improve social inclusion and well being for people with mental health difficulties, as well as tackling discrimination and stigma.
Working in partnership with organisations such as Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust, CAMHS and Spurgeons, we hold weekly sport and physical activity sessions in the area to raise participants’ physical activity levels in a fun and friendly environment.
Through these sessions, children have the opportunity to gain Sports Leader UK qualifications and for those aged 14+, they have the opportunity to volunteer within our own community programme. We have also partnered with TaylorITEX CIC, who deliver a series of work based and volunteer opportunity related courses, to help encourage adults who may have not enrolled on to courses in conventional adult education settings.
A number of voluntary posts have been created within the Boston United umbrella and along with other partner organisation’s to allow participants to have the opportunity to gain the necessary confidence and skills to return to a working environment.
Research has demonstrated the positive impacts of regular exercise for people suffering with mental health problems, and our Positive Pilgrims programme aims to develop confidence, self esteem, sense of belonging, health and wellbeing, and increase social acceptance and interaction for people who suffer with mental health, through various sports sessions.
Our fully qualified coaches who have undergone enhanced CRB checks and are fully First Aid trained lead football sessions, which are listed below!
Positive Pilgrims Football Session – this session is a weekly indoor football training session. Every session consists of a warm-up, a skill practise and finishes with a game at the end. Please wear suitable indoor clothing and footwear, and bring shin pads and a drink. All bookings are made on a referral basis from the mental health service. Please contact Lewis Wright on 01205 311655/07931 311345 or email lewis.wright@bufc.co.uk for more information.
- BOSTON – Fridays 11am – 12pm at Princess Royal Sports Arena, Boston PE21 7PB. £3.50
To get involved, you or someone you care for have to have had some experience of mental ill health. For more information, please contact Lewis Wright on 01205 311655 or email lewis.wright@bufc.co.uk.
