At Active Humber, we believe that sport and physical activity can bring people together through enjoyment, fun, and shared achievements. Our team is dedicated to making sports and physical activities safer and more welcoming for everyone. This Mental Health Awareness Week we want to share some case studies how we support our community in the sports sector.
For the past two years, Active Humber has supported Mental Health Yoga sessions in seven Hull secondary schools through Opening School Facilities funding. Working with school mental health teams, these sessions have helped around 100 young people in each school to develop tools to support their well-being.
The sessions provide calm and relaxation for those coping with bereavement, focus and confidence for students with ADHD, SEMH, and Autism, and a safe space for those who have experienced trauma, helping them open up about their emotions. This ongoing support continues to make a meaningful impact on young people’s mental health.
Keep Moving is an exercise programme supported by Active Humber that helps people with lower limb impairments stay active and connected. It tackles loneliness and boosts mental well-being by providing a supportive space to exercise together. Award-winning and expanding, it offers in-person and online sessions, helping participants feel stronger, more confident, and less isolated. You can watch our 1 minute video about it.
This April, Active Humber is hosting an event for sports clubs across the Humber region, focusing on mental health and suicide prevention. The charity PAPYRUS (Prevention of Young Suicide) will be presenting at the event, discussing the challenges clubs face and how they can play a role in supporting mental health and well-being.
Active Humber works with Steve, a former military serviceman and one of our Community Ambassadors, who helps veterans struggling with their mental health after life-changing injuries. Steve has used physical activity as a key part of his own recovery and now supports others in doing the same.
Active Humber has supported The St Lawrence Academy in North Lincolnshire to broaden its approach to physical activity. Recognising that not all students engage with traditional PE and sports, the school introduced “wellbeing walks” as a Year 11 PE option. These walks provide a relaxed and enjoyable way for students to stay active while also benefiting their emotional well-being. The initiative has been especially popular among Muslim girls.
Active Humber is working with the Integrated Care Board (ICB) to develop the 'It Starts With Men' network. This initiative, led by the ICB’s Head of Suicide Prevention, collaborates with professional sports clubs in the region to promote men’s mental health awareness.
