York RLFC Foundation to offer 'Offload' mental heath programme

sharonshortle
2 hours ago
3 min read

York RLFC Foundation is to launch a recognised mental health prevention and intervention programme.

The Foundation has formed a new partnership with Rugby League Cares that will bring the charity’s acclaimed ‘Offload’ mental fitness programme to the City of York for the first time.

This has been made possible thanks to funding awarded by the York Centre for Voluntary Service (known as York CVS) through the Community Mental Health Transformation Grant Programme.

‘Offload’ is a mental health fitness programme predominantly for men aged over 18, with a separate initiative for young men aged 16 to 19 years old, with free wellbeing sessions over a six-week period. Current and former players and coaches will share practical techniques designed to help participants handle stress, anxiety and depression in a supportive, team-focused environment.

The programme has been shown to improve mental health literacy, increase help-seeking behaviours, and empower participants to adopt practical tools that enhance and protect their own wellbeing and that of those around them. In addition, Offload helps build strong support networks and fosters greater community connectedness and resilience.

This life-changing project will be delivered in two parts:

● Offload for 16 to 19-year-olds outreach programme.

● Offload for men aged 18+ set at the LNER Community Stadium

Our sessions for over 18s will be delivered in community settings across the City of York, including the LNER Community Stadium, community hubs, sports clubs and workspaces. These sessions will be open to people seeking to improve their own mental health and to those at risk of poor mental health.

Sessions for 16 to 19-year-olds will be part of the “outreach” section of Offload, where we’ll visit participants to focus on tackling the stigma of talking about mental health, loneliness and isolation. These factors may well impact those who are looking to go to university and will be away from home for the first time without their parents.

Since its launch by RL Cares in 2017, Offload has enhanced the lives of men of all ages and in recent years it has been delivered successfully to mixed age groups. As many of the challenges faced by over-18s may be different to those impacting 16 to 19-year-olds, we are keen to differentiate and run these separately.

Offload will also give individuals the chance to step behind the scenes at York RLFC and learn how leading professionals from the Rugby League industry maintain their mental strength alongside competing at the top level of the sport. Offload seeks to tackle men’s mental health challenges through the power of Rugby League.

Adam Prentis, York RLFC Foundation, said: “Sport brings people together like few other things can. By uniting professional and grassroots organisations, we are

ensuring that every level of sport can play its part in supporting mental health, tackling suicide, and giving communities hope.

“York RLFC Foundation already has a well-established, trusted community network across the city, and we will utilise it to ensure the programme is well integrated and has the most impact.

“With the news that York Knights will play at the elite level of Rugby League, the Super League, it provides an opportunity to engage with young people and the community like never before!

“I am excited by the news and would like to thank all parties for working collaboratively.”

RL Cares Director of Community Emma Goldsmith said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to deliver our brilliant Offload programme in York and are looking forward to working alongside the York RL Foundation.

“Since its launch almost a decade ago, Offload has had a profound and lasting impact on the lives of thousands of people across Rugby League communities and beyond.

“Offload helps men tackle many of the health and lifestyle challenges they face on an everyday basis by equipping them with coping mechanisms and the tools and techniques needed to flourish in all aspects of their lives.

“We would like to thank York CVS for their foresight in awarding the funding through their Community Mental Health Transformation Grant Programme that is enabling men across York to enjoy the transformational benefits of Offload.”

For more information, please contact Adam Prentis on 01904 670880 or email a.prentis@yorkrlfc.com.

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