Charlton Athletic FC and Status Employment

1. Charlton Athletic FC and Status Employment Healthier Living Programme

2. Why was it planned Status Employment works with a lot of candidates with severe and enduring mental health needs using the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model to help them back to employment Many of the candidates were not wanting to engage with employment straight away especially with the IPS direct methodology

3. Why was it planned Status Employment also noticed that many of their candidates when engaging in employment were gaining more interest in other social inclusion activities That for those candidates who started participating in sport then they became more active and confident in looking for jobs

4. Why was it planned Those Candidates who were engaging in sport were using health services less and retention was greater for those candidates. Football plays a major cultural role in the UK. It attracts approximately 29 million people every year at live matches alone in addition to the millions who watch it regularly on television

5. Why was it planned Psychologists are becoming increasingly aware of the impact that football can have on mental health.  It is thought to have an impact on emotions, relationships, identity and self-esteem.  In a recent study, 25% or 1 in 4 of all those who would describe themselves as a fan, said football was one of the most important things in their lives

6. Why was it planned For young men in particular, the opportunity to externalise tension and emotion is important to maintaining health. One in four experience a mental health problem in any one year and suicide is the most common form of death for young men under the age of 35. This age group is one of the most dominant in football crowds across the country We had also entered a five a side contest and we had lost so being very competitive we had to improve!!

7. Why was it planned Charlton Athletic Football club under the auspices of their community trust had a remit to tackle social inclusion for the wider community of South London Charlton had worked in Kent and in Oxleas offering football training to people receiving mental health services and had also seen the positive benefits

8. Why it is important While in excess of 30 million people regularly watch football, figures from the Football Association show that 7 million adults regularly play football. Football has an even more beneficial impact on mental health as exercise is known to have a positive effect on our mental well-being.

9. How was it Funded After an agreement between Charlton Athletic and Status Employment we approached the Football Foundation for Funding Each person would be offered a lifestyle coach, this coach will work using techniques learnt from Individual Placement and Support. This will be using a individualised life style plan for each person. Looking at their opportunities for socially inclusion, this will include, training education, moving towards and gaining employment.

10. How was it Funded The Football Foundation agreed to fund two thirds of the project if we could find match funding. We approached the Trustees of South London and Maudsley hospital trust for the match money which they agreed. The Project started in October of 2008

11. Our Aim To improve the health and employment prospects of people living with enduring mental health issues.

12. Each 10 week programme consists of: • 10 half-day training sessions with Charlton Athletic professional coaches • Use of an all-weather dome • Use of astroturf all-weather surface • Free match tickets to all participants • A tour of the Charlton Athletic grounds

13. Training sessions at the Status Employment Office include: • Access to an IPS Employment Consultant • Health and Safety at work • Confidence building • Healthy lifestyle / Healthy food • Social inclusion • Positive thinking / Mental well-being

14. Training sessions at the Status Employment Office include (contd): • Communication skills • Body language / Dress sense • Telephone skills • Work behaviour • CVs and interview techniques • Journey planning

16. Purpose of Course To engage candidates in activities relating to work – ‘not just another job club’ To give candidates the opportunity to reflect on their lives, identify where they want to be and provide support for them to make realistic choices on how to progress To provide structure and consistency making it difficult for candidates to return to doing ‘nothing’

17. Outcomes to date Getting paid employment Travelling on public transport without parents Attending NVQ, further and higher education courses Volunteering Learning to read and write Becoming mentors Engaging with work-related services Organising holidays abroad together

18. What benefits does it have for Charlton Athletic FC?

19. The Benefits To The Club For Charlton Athletic it has allowed them to work with a wider footballing community a community that many football clubs would not normally work with It is showing to the wider public that Charlton are positive with all aspects of disabilities. It offers variety for Coaches which retains the interest in the job

20. The Benefits To The Club It allows for positive Stadium days as presentations on the pitch gives a positive message that the club is wider than just football It sends out a positive image of Charlton Athletic Football club to the wider football audience. It also sends out a challenging message to other football clubs. Fans are proud of Charlton’s involvement

21. The Training Sessions At Charlton's Training Ground

22. What difference have you seen in the participants?

23. What Benefits have we seen for the candidates Vast improvement of Self Esteem Candidates changing negatives into positives Weight loss Fitness Team bonding both on and off the pitch Social networking A Feeling of belonging to the club

24. In Conclusion

25. In Conclusion All the candidates who have participated on the course have made tremendous strides towards employment with some gaining paid work others choosing alternative routes including education, volunteering and mentoring. As well as this there has been a noticeable difference in their self esteem, their mental health and well being with all candidates continuing to engage both in the football and with their job search

26. In Conclusion In the second year we are looking to be joining our candidates with other groups within Charlton Athletic to join the Positive Mental Health league. With one of the candidates who has been on the course is currently going on to his level 2 coaching course and is hoping to be the coach of the team.

27. Letitia “It has made me feel strong and given me such a sense of achievement that I now feel I can try other things that I once thought were impossible.”  Letitia has become a Mentor supporting other Candidates

28. Jude “My headmaster used to tell us that success comes from hard work… and when I work hard, nothing, and I repeat nothing, will stop me from achieving my goals.” Jude is now completing an NVQ Level 2 in Care Work