Blackpool FC Community Trust have been commissioned funding through Spring North’s Community Mental Health Transformation project, on behalf of the Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB, to deliver adult health and wellbeing activity across the town through their latest initiative, Heads Up.
A ground-breaking initiative is set to launch in Blackpool aimed at enhancing the well-being of adults with moderate to severe mental health needs. This innovative project, headed by BFCCT, seeks to provide a comprehensive range of activities and support mechanisms to empower individuals and foster a sense of community and belonging.
At the heart of the initiative is a commitment to tailoring activities to the diverse needs and abilities of participants, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all. Through a combination of peer support, one-on-one mentoring, and group physical activities, Heads Up aims to address the holistic needs of individuals while promoting overall well-being.
The project comprises three key strands:
- Satellite Group Sessions
Group activity sessions across target venues in Blackpool where people with severe mental illness are accessing wider services. Sessions will include physical activity and peer support talks, combining light movement with socialising to create opportunities for participants to share challenges, concerns and advice. - 1:1 Mentoring Sessions
For individuals who are interested in further personal support, weekly lifestyle coaching and well-being advice will be offered. This is not intended as counselling or as a replacement for clinical support. However, it can support individuals who have completed a block of counselling, who await counselling or who find formal counselling (or group talks) daunting. - Community Pathway
Support individuals engaged through strands one and two to progress into attending additional well-being activities at BFCCT weekly across the town. Staff/peers who are familiar with the participant will accompany them to their first few sessions to ease the transition.
Matt Hilton, Deputy CEO and Head of Community Programmes at BFCCT:
“The ‘Heads Up’ project will be a great addition to our Adult Health and Wellbeing provision here at BFCCT. Through this project, we are not just addressing mental health needs; we are nurturing a sense of belonging, resilience, and hope within our community. By offering tailored support and fostering connections, we are laying the foundation for lasting positive change in the lives of individuals facing mental health challenges in Blackpool.”
Alysia Brooks, Operations Manager at Spring North and CMHT Project Lead:
“Spring North are delighted to be supporting 46 organisations across Lancashire and South Cumbria with their community-based mental health projects. We are particularly interested in seeing the outcomes of BFCCT’s work with males across Blackpool, which aims at reducing the number of males in crisis support through 1:1 and group interventions.”
For more information please email info@bfcct.co.uk