Stoneyburn Juniors are hoping to use the beautiful game to support men’s mental health in the local community.
The club, in partnership with Stoneyburn and Bents Future Vision Group, have secured funding from the Support Communities Fund to run an eight-week programme to support mental heath in football.
Stoneyburn boss Steven Sharp believes it’s a crucial chance to support men in the local area who might be struggling while using the nation’s favourite sport to help.
Speaking to the Courier, he said: “I can’t thank the Vision Group enough for teaming up with us to help deliver this programme. They really did a great job in making the case for the funding and it’s going to be a huge help to the community.
“It’s a small club in a small village so we’re really pleased that we’re able to run something like this in Stoneyburn.”
He added: “Folk like to sit and chat about football so we really felt that it was a great way to engage with those who maybe need a wee bit of support.
“Mental health in football, and using football as a therapy, is something I’m very passionate about and I’m sure this programme is going to be a big help for those who come along.
“Especially given the current situation, with so many people struggling with mental health due to the impact of the lockdown, the programme is going to offer crucial support for those who need it and will hopefully offer a great boost.”
The programme, which is set to be held at the club’s Beechwood Park ground, will involve former professional footballers chatting about their careers and experience in the game as well as providing the opportunity for a kickabout.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic does potentially present some challenges in how it will be delivered.
Steven explains: “Obviously just now we can’t make concrete plans but we’re aiming to hold it at the ground.
“We’d be more than capable to maintaining social distancing there if the rules are still in place, but there’s also the potential to run the course online with Zoom calls.
“The really important thing is that it’s a bunch of guys being able to chat about football and using that to help their mental health and we’re incredibly proud that Stoneyburn Juniors are going to be able to deliver that to the local community.”
