Run by our Northumberland Recovery College (NRC), the ‘Level Headers’ football group began in 2024. It gives players the opportunity to boost their wellbeing, build connections, and improve their mental health – all while playing football!
What began as a 5-a-side session now has enough attendees to use the full pitch. Each week, the session sees around 25-35 people turning up to play – even in the rain!
On Friday’s session, the Level Headers were joined by Show Racism the Red Card, Team Grassroots, and former professional footballer as left-back for Newcastle United, Olivier Bernard!
Level Headers football group!
The Level Headers group has had a huge amount of interest, bringing together people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures in an environment where people can connect with each other, learn from each other, build friendships, and talk about their mental health.
As some of the attendees at the football sessions are people seeking asylum in the UK, Northumberland Recovery College is passionate about encouraging inclusion and connection between all the players, making the sessions a welcoming space for everyone.
We’re also really grateful to have donations of footwear and bibs from Team Grassroots Football and Show Racism The Red Card, which means everyone attending has suitable footwear and kit to wear during the sessions.
As many members of the group are Newcastle United fans, we were over the moon that Olivier Bernard came to join our Peer Support Worker, Scott during the latest session to help coach the members of the group. Olivier also spoke about the importance of sport as a space for men to take care of their wellbeing and talk about how they’re feeling.
Olivier Bernard commented:
“We’ve seen really positives outcomes from the group, with many of the members getting to know each other and forming friendships outside of the sessions, showing interest in each other’s stories and cultures.
“We’re really grateful to have Show Racism the Red Card join us, to promote a zero-tolerance approach to racism, and to have Team Grassroots very kindly donate resources for the sessions such as bibs and footballs. “
After the Level Headers sessions, Northumberland Recovery College also runs a men’s talking group called ‘Talking Heads’ – which is a safe space for the members to continue to connect off the pitch, open up about their mental health and anything else that they might be going through.
Following on from the success of Level Headers group in Ashington, our Northumberland Recovery College team is hoping to launch a Level Headers group based in the Blyth area in 2026. If you’d like to register your interest for this, please contact: nrc@everyturn.org
The Level Headers football sessions are a brilliant example of how good mental health and wellbeing can be built in communities and bring people together.
Find out more about Northumberland Recovery College.