A project where men can enjoy a game of football and look after their mental health is urging those who needs a safe space to get in contact.
Project Talking Football, in partnership with Minster FC, meets every Monday at the 3G pitch the rear of Minster Rec, from 8pm to 9pm. The aim is to get involved in the game but also to have a place – and people- where members can talk without fear of judgement.
The project launched in 2021 and was previously known as Head in the Game.
One of the original founders was Minster dad-of-four Kyle Ingram-Baldwin, who sadly passed away from bowel cancer in June this year.
Currently around 25 men take part in the weekly sessions and there are seven volunteer coaches, who also participate.
One of those coaches is Conor McGregor.
He said: “We are a place for men to go once a week to have a safe space where they can say how they are feeling. It’s a place where you may find someone who is in the same boat at you.
“We’re not a professional team, we are just a bunch of men who love football and all need to find someone to talk to.
“With weekly meetings, PTF facilitates and encourages moments of talking and honest discussion in football sessions for men to open up.
“What matters to us is not what the score is in the game but what members scores are when they turn up to the session and when they leave the sessions.
“In this we’re talking about has their score improved in being at the sessions but also us coaches keep a mental note of people who may keep scoring low to then maybe message them privately to see if there is anything we can talk about outside of sessions to see if our guidance can help improve how they are feeling.
“Our aim is to try and make them come to a session and feel better when they leave. Whether that’s because they’ve scored a goal, or maybe because for the hour they are here, what is going on in their life is at the back of their mind and being a part of this group has made them feel better.
“We are all going through something, whether that’s stress, grief, depression, anger, anxiety etc. We are all struggling but we are all trying to improve ourselves and improve our mental health through the power of talking about how we are feeling. It’s okay for men to talk. It’s okay for men to show emotion. It’s okay for men to cry. Because men’s mental health matters and that’s why we are all here.”
Suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50. Thanet has historically recorded some of the highest suicide rates in Kent with three-quarters of suicide deaths being male. In 2023 there were 16 recorded deaths by suicide for Thanet
Project Talking Football is open to men aged 18+
To get involved, fill in a registration form at http://Minsterfc.co.uk/ptf
Get help
- Mind 03001021234
- Samaritans 126123
- Safe Haven 07850655877
- Calm 0800585858#
