Finding New Friends with #TeamTalk

This participant who wishes to remain anonymous joined in with our Monday night Team Talk session shortly after the project launched back in November 2021.

Prior to joining, he had been involved in with our weight loss project which we also deliver here at Bolton Wanderers in the Community, FIT FANS. Whilst the project did improve his physical condition, he also wanted to improve his mental wellbeing. Given that he had already built a good bond with the trust, and is an avid Bolton Wanderers fan, joining TeamTalk provided him with the opportunity to continue his link with us as a club, whilst simultaneously enhancing his mental health.

Sarah, our Wellbeing Project Officer, told us:

“(The participant) is in his late 30’s and is an accountant, although he does enjoy his job, he has described this to me, that at times, it can be relatively demanding and high pressured. To add to this, he works predominantly at home, and so, lacks some structure in leaving the house to go to the office. His home environment is good and stable, in which he shares a house with his partner, and also has two young children – which can sometimes contribute towards some sleepless nights for him and his partner. He went on to tell me that this is having a knock on effect towards him struggling with low mood, feeling restless, and can sometimes cause friction between him and his girlfriend.”

Attending this session on a regular basis has provided this participant with an outlet and a release from the struggles stated above. TeamTalk has helped this individual with being able to switch off from those daily stresses, in an environment where he can completely relax, have fun, and talk to other members in the group. Members often offer that peer to peer support by sharing, and advising ways in which they have dealt with similar struggles.

Another aspect of the session which has helped multiple participants, is the element of guest speakers and football players coming down to share their own experiences and practices when it comes to tackling mental health. Collectively we have been able to support the individual through games, shared experiences, presentations, and further signposting to relevant interests to help further maintain their wellbeing.

Over the course of the project, the improvement in this specific individual’s mental wellbeing has been evident in a variety of ways.

The first of which being the ons4 survey which establishes increased scores in life satisfaction, happiness, and life worthiness, equally a declined score in the individual’s anxiety rating. The participant often expresses positive terms about being involved in the project, sharing how he feels like he has found a ‘family’ within the group, and that he would feel ‘lost’ without having the session to look forward to and attend every week.

“It has been both pleasing and rewarding to see the impact this session has had on (the participant), and it has been most evident to see him so relaxed and being able to have a laugh with the other members. (The participant) has become a core member of the group, in which others have taken to him very well, as has befriended many of the attendees, who now also continue their own social activities asides from TeamTalk.” – Sarah, Wellbeing Project Officer

TeamTalk is free to attend and takes place weekly every Monday night from 6:30pm-8:00pm at the University of Bolton Stadium.

For any more information simply contact Sarah at swebster@bwitc.org.uk