One of Warriors in the Community more recent projects is their Mental Health Football Programme. In partnership with Forth Valley NHS and Caledonia Service, Warriors in the Community provide weekly football therapy sessions for the participants who are male and female adults of all ages and all abilities. The group also take part in a national league delivered monthly by the Scottish Football Association.

The Community Programme is delighted to announce that their new Mental Health Football Match strips will be sponsored for this season by G.Alexander Joinery and Carpentry.

Company owner Gareth Alexander said:

‘Having been involved in football since I was 9 years old, I felt I wanted to give something back to the sport. I am delighted to support a local side in need of funding. Mental Health is something that is in need of more recognition and I think it’s fantastic that Stenhousemuir FC and Warriors in the Community are giving this platform. Having met the players, I am delighted to help such a fantastic group and hopefully we can continue this relationship for many years to come

Project Worker at Caledonia Service John McGowan said:

‘The football group is non gender specific and open to adults living with moderate to severe mental illness in the Falkirk area.  The aim of the project is for football to help in people’s recovery as it can help to manage symptoms and can radically improve the quality of people’s lives.  There are three key ways that football can help:

• Delivering social inclusion
• Helping physical health and well being
• Improving peoples mental health

Without exception, our current group members have reported significant improvement in their physical and mental health whilst attending the group. It is also great for the services involved to work in partnership i.e. Bellsdyke Hospital, Caledonia Service and Woodlands Resource Centre while also linking in with a great community club like Stenhousemuir Football Club who have been an immense support to the group over the last two years and have helped it develop and grow.

Head of Community Football William Hoggan added: ‘Our Mental Health Football group attend Ochilview Park twice per week for fun and relaxed football sessions delivered by our Senior Community Coach Daniel Newbigging. We also take part in the national Scottish FA Mental Health and Well-being league that is delivered once a month across various locations in Scotland so we are absolutely delighted with Gareth’s sponsorship to allow us to buy new match strips for the guys.

The Warriors Mental Health Group will travel to Aberdeen next week for their 3^rd league day of the new season. Good Luck to all players and staff.