What is On the Ball about?
On the Ball harnesses the power of football to engage participants, promote positive mental health messages, and to educate participants to better understand their thoughts and feelings.
The project utilises the importance of open and honest peer-to-peer communication by encouraging participants to discuss topics around stress, anger management, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and bereavement.
The project has been extremely successful, attracting large numbers of typically hard-to-reach participants, securing funding from high-profile charitable trusts’, and retaining participants who have a strong affiliation to the project.
The On the Ball programmes has been awarded a number of accolades, including the Football League Trust’ award for ‘Best Health Project’, as well as being recognised as an example of best practise by Sportivate.
The Difference On the Ball makes:
On the Ball helps participants to build self-esteem and self-confidence, meet likeminded people, build new friendships, become a part of a positive support group, and improve communication surrounding mental health.
How do I access On the Ball?
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please contact our Mental Health Officer Lucy Devine at lucy.devine@nottscountyfoundation.org.uk.
A word from one of our participants:
“On the Ball allows me to meet men who are going through something similar and can understand how I’m feeling. The support the staff and the rest of the group give you is excellent, and the non-judgemental environment helps men to feel comfortable and confident enough and to open up.”
