Joel Phillimore

Sport In Action, in partnership with Alive and Kicking, has been implementing Mental Health Education since 2021, initially in Lusaka and Kabwe. Now, expanding its impact to Livingstone, the project has equipped community coaches with essential knowledge and tools. This blog showcases the transformative journey, emphasizing key achievements and the ripple effect on communities. In Livingstone, 30 community football coaches underwent a comprehensive four-day Mental Health Education Training. The inclusion of a Psychiatrist from Livingstone Central Hospital emphasized the importance of professional support and debunked myths surrounding mental health such as someone who has mental health problems maybe impacted by witchcraft.  Through the training we have been able to change perceptions and empower coaches to integrate mental health education into their existing programs. Key Achievements in Livingstone: Perception Shift: Participants discarded the misconception that mental health is only linked to severe cases, understanding that everyone has mental health. Comprehensive Understanding: Coaches identified various facets of poor mental health, from eating disorders to drug abuse. Real-life Testimonials: Personal stories, like the grandson of one of the coaches had been struggling from with their mental health due to the pressure he was facing as a professional athlete, highlighting that everyone and anyone can suffer from mental health challenges. Community Linkages: The presence of the Psychiatrist Officer created vital links, promoting community collaboration. Snapshot of Coach Survey results in Livingstone: Knowledge Increase: Participants’ understanding that “Everybody has mental health” rose from 53% to 100%. Improved Attitudes: Positive attitudes towards individuals with poor mental health increased from 73% to 97%. Seeking Support: Those willing to support someone with poor mental health rose from 60% to 97%. The coaches now return to their communities to deliver the programme on a weekly basis, with ongoing follow up support from Alive and Kicking and Sport in Action. As a result the programme becomes embedded into regular sessions and mental health conversations are common place. We look forward to sharing what impact the programme has on young people throughout the Livingstone area over the coming months. In conclusion The Mental Health Education Project is not just about training coaches; it’s a catalyst for change in communities. By tackling stigma, promoting awareness, and providing support, the project is making a significant impact on the mental well-being of players and community members. It’s not just a project; it’s a movement unlocking minds and fostering a positive change in perceptions surrounding mental health.

A key part of Alive and Kicking’s strategy is to ensure young people with visual impairments have the opportunity to participate in sport more regularly. Thanks to support from the Ulverscroft Foundation, AK Kenya have been able to produce and then distribute bell balls across schools and community organisations that specialise in supporting students with visual impairments. Feedback from bell ball users show a significant boost in personal wellbeing with students increasing their average weekly play time by over four times. 82% say they have been more social thanks to playing football in the community, 54% have made new friends and almost all users said they felt more confident as a result of regular play. Check out the video below to find out more.

We are delighted to announce an exciting new partnership with This Is FC88 that will help drive sustainability in the world of football. Together we have developed a premium selection of footballs made entirely from outdated and damaged football jerseys. These unique footballs are handmade by our skilled teams across Alive and Kicking Kenya and Alive and Kicking Zambia. Thanks to our production expertise, the team have been able to test new techniques in order to find an effective way of creating a beautifully finished ball. Working closely with football clubs across Europe and the UK, FC88 has set a new standard for sustainability within the industry. Collaborations with prominent entities like Tottenham Hotspur, the Dutch football federation, and Club Brugge have brought environmental consciousness to the forefront of the football world. The company operates dedicated upcycling studios in the UK, the Netherlands, and Portugal, ensuring a local and eco-friendly approach to the process. “We believe in the power of sport to create positive change, and this collaboration with Alive and Kicking exemplifies our commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. These premium upcycled footballs are more than just products; they represent a shared vision of making the world a better place through football. We are incredibly excited that we have managed to design and produce footballs from outdated apparel. This will be the next step in the development and positive impact of our products,” said Nicole Bekkers, CEO of FC88. “Collaborating with FC88 has been an incredibly inspiring journey for Alive and Kicking. We’ve always believed in the power of sport to transform lives, and this partnership takes our mission to a whole new level. Together, we’re not only crafting footballs from old jerseys, but we’re also crafting opportunities, and a brighter future for the communities we work with. FC88’s commitment to sustainability aligns perfectly with our mission to create positive social change through the manufacturing of footballs”, said Ben Sadler of Alive and Kicking. For more information on this groundbreaking collaboration and to explore the unique opportunities for your football club or federation, please contact FC88 via nicole@thisisFC88.com or 0031 610 255503.

Build a thriving community of long term AK supporters that engage in our work, campaigns and activities while championing our mission, vision and values. The Role The growth and sustainability of AK is driven by its supporter community. From individuals providing regular financial donations or volunteer time to partner organisations taking part in our events or setting up their own football marathons, our network is key in strengthening our impact. The Community Manager will focus on building our supporter network both digitally and in person. This will focus on growing an innovative calendar of campaigns and events while expanding our network of regular givers and AKFC fans (our fictious football team). In doing so, the successful candidate will help AK to create more ethical jobs and give more young people access to sport and health education. How to Apply Please read the Community Manager Job Pack and send your CV and a covering letter (no more than two pages long, addressing how you meet each point on the Person Specification) by email to applications@aliveandkicking.org by 5.00pm Friday 9th June 2023. Interviews are planned for the 15th and 16th June. AK is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability or age. Job Pack Download