Mental health charity Sport in Mind has revealed their plans to broaden its reach across the country following their event at the headquarters of global sports marketing agency rEvolution in Reading.
The chairty, which was founded in 2010, has set out an ambitious seven-year strategy to roll out its proven model in the south-east region nationwide, using the power of sport and physical activity to transform the country’s mental health.
Sport in Mind, which was established in Reading, hosted speakers from the NHS, education, research and sports sectors who joined more than 70 guests at rEvolution.
Sport in Mind has developed from a small Reading-based charity to an organisation that delivers across 14 counties in England and Wales in 140 locations, helping to improve the lives of over 6,190 adults and children in 2023 alone. Its 2024-2031 strategy will continue this expansion.
The charity has delivered more than 30,000 sessions across 35 different sports, engaging with over 1,000 volunteers; and won the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2019.
Their focus from 2024 will be to create even more opportunities for people experiencing mental health problems to play sport, by having a presence in all regions of England and Wales.
Sport in Mind CEO, Neil Harris said: “The origin of Sport in Mind was to help one person, my friend, to overcome his worsening mental health issues.
“I was determined to find a way to help him and knew that physical activity would be a catalyst.
“I created a physical activity plan and from that small gesture, the charity was born.
“It’s always been about supporting individuals; every person with mental health problems should have their physical needs met
“NHS mental health referrals are at record levels; the demand of Sport in Mind’s services has extended far beyond our roots in Berkshire.
“For this reason, we have outlined our seven-year vision to transform the nation’s health through sport, by increasing our presence around the UK, and partnering with like-minded organisations to become a national thought leader across the mental health and sport sectors with a focus on insight and research
“It began with an individual taking a single step. From that, a nationwide movement has been created.”
