It's not always easy to know where to start when you want to get a team or a club together.
This page gives you some helpful tips about what to do if you are thinking of setting up a mental health team.
1. Don’t do it all on your own – find some interested people to help you – they might be colleagues or friends. In some cases you could identify a project group. This would need to cover all interested parties, possibility city/county council employees, a charitable organisation, Trust employees and service users.
2. Think about applying to the Football Foundation for a Community Small Grant. You can apply for up to £10,000 and we award 90 per cent of the total costs (this means you must raise £1,000 to be able to apply for the full amount). You can find out about whether you are eligible for a community small grant by looking at our website by clicking here.
If you wish to speak to an assessment officer at the Foundation about a small grant, please call 0845 345 4555 and say which area you are from (eg, North West, West Midlands, etc) and the switchboard will put you through to the right person.
3. It may be that you have enough players in your area to form a whole squad, if not, consider joining up with another similar group in your area.
4. Contact your local FA representative and get them on board from an early date. The FA can assist you in reaching FA Charter Standards.
5. Choose a club name. You will need to check with the local FA that you have not used another club’s name. As you may wish to register as a charity you should check the charity commission web site here for the same reason.
6. Approach your local league club, they may have Ability Counts status and may help you. They all undertake work in the community. The Disability Discrimination Act includes Mental Health, so make sure that they are aware of your club and what that means to the community. Ask for their support.
7. Check out what insurance you might need but if you are part of an NHS Trust or other company, it may be that you will be covered by your main employee’s Public Liability insurance. This covers for damage caused by the team.
8. Devise a registration form for players wanting to join and recruit your players from your mental health population to get you started.
9. Contact all local sports amenities to enquire as to the cost of hiring their facilities. Budget these costs, and ensure that they are included in your breakdown on your grant application.
10. Consider the practical issues like transport and travel costs, including how your players will reach the training venue and football matches. You may be fortunate and have access to a mini bus, you may have to find the cheapest hire company in your area, or arrange training on a bus route. Create independence!
11. Meet with your team and agree to club rules.
12. Consider links with existing successful structures like the Positive Mental Attitude League. Find out more about them by clicking here.