Sport in Mind's groundbreaking partnership with Berks and Bucks F.A has won a national award from the F.A for our joint commitment in driving mental health awareness within football, as well as promoting the positive impact sport and physical activity can have in peoples lives. As a charity we are delighted that the work we do has been recognised by the Football Association, and see it as a huge step forward in igniting the conversation around mental health and football. 

Since launching the partnership in July 2022, Berks & Bucks FA and Sport in Mind have worked together to:

• Provide Mental Health Awareness Training to staff and to key volunteers within the game.
• Raise the profile of the signs and symptoms of poor mental health through the education and resources provided by Sport in Mind
• Provide training and support to those recovering from poor mental health encouraging their involvement in the game.
• Open additional opportunities for the football community to talk about their mental health.

Berks & Bucks FA’s Chief Executive Officer, Liz Verrall, said: "It was an honour to be recognised nationally for our important work with Sport in Mind and I’m incredibly proud of the team at Berks & Bucks FA for the way they have embraced and championed the partnership at every stage, helping to use the power of our sport to raise awareness and promote the positive impact physical activity has for improving and maintaining mental health.

"Our partnership with Sport in Mind is part of our public commitment to our football community, recognising the equal importance of both physical and mental health for our overall wellbeing. Our purpose, and why we do what we do, is to 'Connect People and Change Lives' and I look forward to continuing to work closely with Neil and the team to fulfil this purpose and see what more we can achieve together."

 Neil Harris, Founder and CEO of Sport in Mind said: “We are absolutely delighted that Berks & Bucks FA have been recognised by the FA for the work we do together to raise awareness, drive education and use football to support those struggling with their mental health.

“It is a brilliant way to highlight the importance of starting the conversation- talking about and looking after our mental health through sport. To see this recognised through our ground-breaking partnership is absolutely fantastic and I can’t wait to see where our work takes us next.”

 The FA’s Head of Operations for Grassroots Football, Tim Foster, added: "It has been brilliant to celebrate the tremendous work that takes place across all of our County FAs.

 "The projects submitted into this year’s County FA Recognition Awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication across our County FA network which works tirelessly to deliver grassroots football to the communities in which they serve.

 "My congratulations go to all of the winners, and to everyone involved in delivering new and innovative projects to grow and enhance the grassroots game."

As a charity our goal within football is to ensure that all F.A's across the country have access to the resources they need and the tools we can provide to ensure that mental health is talked about within the game, as well as educating the communities that surround them on the benefits of playing sport for our mental health