Participants from several different Wolves Foundation projects spanning the generations took part in a leisurely walk around Molineux Stadium to mark Mental Health Awareness Week.
The walk created an opportunity for participants to chat between themselves during a week in which the theme has been ‘Community’, with positive reinforcements also being shown on the screens in WV1 and questions to encourage conversation displayed on the screen inside Molineux.
Projects involved included Healthy Goals, a group for toddlers, Head 4 Health which provides mental health support to adults, Wolves Elders, which helps combat loneliness and isolation, and a school who are part of the Foundation’s Premier League Primary Stars programme.
Michael Lee, who attends Wolves Elders, expressed how much he loves being involved with the club’s official charity.
“I’ve followed Wolves since 1965 when I was 11, so it’s really nice to get involved with the club that you support,” he said.
“It’s a good environment and a nice day out, we really enjoy the social side of it and have made new friends.”
Lily Aust, a teacher from Perton Primary Academy, spoke about the Foundation’s positive impact on the children.
She said: “We saw the mental health programme and thought it’d be brilliant for them because they’re moving up to middle school and it has been absolutely brilliant.
“You can see the impact it has had on the children today, it has been really positive.
“Wolves Foundation have gone above and beyond for the children every week, we’ve had Wolfie in to open our reading cabin!
“The children are having a fabulous time, it’s nice for them to be around Molineux today and I would definitely recommend the Foundation because they have helped us so much.”
After the walk, different workshops were then staged within Molineux helping to promote positive mental health, including Head 4 Health participants taking part in a group painting session.
Jasmin Patel, senior health officer with Wolves Foundation, added: “When we found out that the theme of Mental Health Awareness Week this year was ‘Community’, as staff we came up with the idea of organising a walk around Molineux.
“Helping to improve mental health forms a part of pretty much all Foundation projects, so it was nice to be able to include participants of all ages, and encourage conversation between those different age groups.
“We are also aware of how much physical activity and exercise can boost mental health, which is why we decided to include a few leisurely laps of the stadium, helped by some lovely weather!
“The workshops afterwards were also really worthwhile and constructive, and overall it was a great event to bring people together from across the city.”
By Thomas Gibson
