Les Ferdinand Enables Mental Health Project Air Football To Take Off Thanks To ??200K Of New Funding, UK

Former England international and Spurs and Newcastle star Les Ferdinand visited the North East London NHS Foundation Trust to deliver funding that will enable them to massively expand the Air Football Project over the next three years. The ??206,399 grant has been awarded to the Trust by the Football Foundation, the UK's largest sports charity.



Air Football works with people from traditionally socially excluded populations, including those with mental health problems, drug and alcohol problems, homeless and people in contact with criminal justice services to engage them in meaningful activity and help them access a range of support in relation to their health, wellbeing and vocational needs.



Air Football provides twice weekly training sessions at Goodmayes Hospital, including warm-ups, skills training and matches, as well as regular opportunities to play in tournaments. In addition, it provides players with advice sessions on number of issues ranging from fitness, nutrition, smoking cessation and sexual health to fire safety awareness and financial advice, in partnership with local businesses and services.



They can also be supported to access help for mental health and substance misuse problems. Players also have access to gym facilities and a range of training opportunities, including Football Association coaching awards. Air Football is open to men and women over the age of 16.



To acknowledge the receipt of this Football Foundation Grant, Air Football arranged a ceremony for Les Ferdinand to hand over the cheque. This took place on Wednesday, October 22 2008, at the Air Football training session in the grounds of Goodmayes Hospital, Barley Lane, Ilford, IG3 8XJ.



Additional guests included former Tottenham Hotspur FC footballer John Moncur, former World Champion boxer Colin McMillan, NELFT chief executive Judy Wilson, NELFT deputy chief executive John Brouder, NELFT Borough Director Bob Edwards, Mayor of Redbridge Loraine Sladden and Councillor Vanessa Cole, Cabinet Member for Community Safety.




Les Ferdinand said: "I think the work that AIR Football and the North East London Foundation Health Trust are carrying out is tremendous. Playing football is a great way to allow people to improve their physical and mental health and this ??206,399 funding boost from the Football Foundation will make a massive difference towards allowing that work to expand and help even more people in London and Essex."




Mog Heraghty, Clinical Nurse Specialist at North East London NHS Foundation Trust, helped set up the Airfootball scheme. She said: "I am proud to be involved in the NELFT Air Football project. It has literally changed the lives of many of the players, helping them to improve their mental health and stay away from drugs and crime.
















"Players have really taken to the project and used it to move forward in life, accessing courses and even returning to work. The Football Foundation grant will enable us to continue to provide this project for the next three years and help even more people to begin to rebuild their lives."




Judy Wilson, NELFT Chief Executive, added: "Congratulations to the Air Football team for securing the grant which will enable the fantastic work they do with NELFT service users and other members of the community to continue."




Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, added: "I am delighted that the Football Foundation is supporting the delivery of AIR Football. It is a very innovative way of harnessing our national game to help people who suffer from mental health issues deal with its symptoms.



"I am delighted that Les Ferdinand, who was an inspirational player, is on hand today to give the newly, expanded project a timely boost."




The Football Foundation is dedicated to revitalising the grass roots of the game, constructing modern football facilities, developing football as a force for social cohesion and as a vehicle for education in communities throughout the country. Funded by the Premier League, The Football Association and the Government, the Football Foundation is the nation's largest sports charity with a ??40m budget going straight into the heart of football.



This project is also currently funded by North East London NHS Foundation Trust, Redbridge Homes Quality of Life Legacy Fund, London Borough of Redbridge Mental Health Capital Grant. Local sponsors are Fitness First, Boots, HSBC Bank




Source

Rory Carroll

footballfoundation

and

Vee Scott

nelft.nhs