Tag: SAMH

Simon Howie’s sold-out Puddin’ Race for SAMH hailed a Burns Night success

The Scottish Butcher, Simon Howie, has hailed the launch of its first-ever 5km Puddin’ Race a resounding success, after the Burns Night-inspired run sold out within just a few weeks with over 500 runners keen to ‘pud’ on their running gear and run for a haggis in support of mental health.

Held on Sunday 25 January 2026, Burns Night, at Simon Howie’s HQ in Dunning, Perthshire, the first-ever event welcomed runners of all abilities and all ages to take part in a feel-good race designed to boost wellbeing, celebrate Burns Night, and raise funds and awareness for SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health).

The morning kicked off with the Kids’ Fun Run. While this race wasn’t officially timed and was all about having fun, we have to give a special shout-out to Alex Martin and Ainsley Young as the first boy and girl home.

Huge well done to all our young runners!

Despite the slightly drizzly weather the 5k started in high spirits with a piper accompanying the runners over the start line. The 5k route is quite a challenging route with some steep uphill and traily sections so the winner Alastair Marshall was quite rightly hailed The Great Chieftain o’ The Puddin’ Race, setting an extremely impressive time of 15:58.

Donations were invited from all runners signing up to the event and over £1000 was raised for SAMH, to support the charity’s vital mental health services across Scotland, before the race even started.

The Puddin’ Race formed part of a wider January fundraising drive by Simon Howie, which also included the brand’s Sideburns Night campaign, a nationwide challenge encouraging supporters to grow their sideburns in the lead-up to Burns Night and donate £5 to SAMH. Together, the two campaigns combined Burns Night tradition with light-hearted fundraising to tackle the January blues and support mental wellbeing across Scotland.

Founder Simon Howie said: “As the UK’s number 1 haggis brand and a family business putting on a family friendly event that welcomes people of all ages, both from the local community but also from further afield, to join us here in Dunning to celebrate Burns Night has been extremely special.

“The weather this month has been brutal but this really has been a celebration of us hardy Scots. We don’t let a bit of rain stop us turning up, especially if there’s a haggis to win!

“Our organising team, Clair Howison, James Tree and Scott Thomson have pulled out all the stops, so I want to thank them personally for all that they have done.

“What began as a bit of a whacky idea has turning into a massive post-Christmas blues-buster. We were blown away by how quickly the race sold out and delighted by the money it raised for SAMH so while it was a lot of work to juggle during our busiest time of the year, we also hope this will be the first of many to come.”

Participants crossed the finish line to receive a celebratory haggis and commemorative medal, with many also sporting exclusive Puddin’ Race T-shirts and tote bags. The event atmosphere reflected its core aim of bringing people together, tackling the January blues and highlighting the positive impact of physical activity on mental wellbeing.

Hazel McIlwraith, Director of Fundraising and Major Appeal at SAMH, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Simon Howie and everyone who took part in the Puddin’ Race.

“Community events like this play a vital role in helping us continue our work supporting mental health across Scotland, while also encouraging people to look after their own wellbeing.”

Following the success of the inaugural event, Simon Howie has confirmed it is exploring plans for future editions of the Puddin’ Race.

Finding Peace of Mind Walk 2026

Starting in the Shetland Islands on 1st January 2026 – and arriving into Edinburgh on 25th February – Jonathan Kemp, Viscount Rochdale, will embark on an incredible 10-month, 296-day, 4,200km journey across Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland to raise £80,000 for four mental health charities and to spark open conversations about mental health.

Along the way, Jonathan will give talks in workplaces, schools, universities and community groups on his own powerful story of living with bipolar disorder, depression, addiction and dyslexia. 

Jonathan is keen to invite members of the public to walk alongside him for a mile, a day, or more – or simply offer support from the side-lines. For more information visit: www.jonathankemp.com/walk and for the full press release, route maps and photographs visit: https://bit.ly/FindingPeaceMedia

For the first 40 years of his life, Jonathan battled undiagnosed mental health conditions, and contemplated death by suicide. He spent years trying to distance himself from family expectations, searching for a sense of well-being as a punk, a cowboy in Australia, a London bricklayer, a Metropolitan Police sergeant, and later an entrepreneur. He shared his story in his powerful memoir, Finding Peace of Mind (Troubador, October 2025). 

Now, he wants to share his journey from mental illness to a life of purpose and hope, normalising conversations about mental health, reducing stigma, and inspiring others to keep going, while raising money for four charities:

SAMH – Scotland www.samh.org.uk

Around since 1923, SAMH is Scotland’s national mental health charity.

They operate over 70 services in communities across Scotland, providing mental health social care support, addictions and employment services, among others.

Mind – England & Wales www.mind.org.uk

Mind is the national mental health charity in England and Wales that fights for everyone to get the mental health support they deserve.

Mind provides a wide range of services, including a national Infoline, legal advice, online resources, and support through local branches.

Mind’s work focuses on offering support, fighting for mental health policies, and breaking down societal stigma.

AWARE NI – Northern Ireland www.aware-ni.org

AWARE NI is the Depression Charity for Northern Ireland.

Based in Derry/Londonderry and Belfast, they have an established network of 24 support groups across the country alongside online support group options, welcoming people with low mood, anxiety, depression and bipolar as well as carers for people with mental ill-health.

AWARE – Ireland www.aware.ie

Founded in 1985, AWARE is a voluntary organisation based in Ireland which aims to assist people affected by depression, bipolar disorder and related mood conditions.

They offer support and self-care groups for people who experience depression or bipolar disorder, a support Line, support mail and training and education programmes.

Anyone can donate here: https://rebrand.ly/FindingPeaceWalk

Jonathan says, “This isn’t just a walk — it’s a living symbol of the mental health journey. Beginning in the cold, dark days of January reflects those times when life feels tough, when all you can do is keep going one step at a time.”

Jonathan Kemp, Viscount Rochdale, is a survivor, author, and relentless innovator. He is an entrepreneur, former law enforcement official and mental health advocate who was unaware that bipolar disorder, depression and dyslexia were shaping his life.

He has appeared on Times Radio, BBC Radio, TedX and in the Times and Tatler. He won the British Dyslexia Association’s ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ award in 2011 and has worked with organisations and academic institutions using SmartWisdom to support people to excel at work and study. www.jonathankemp.com. 

Edinburgh Cycling Safety Roadshow

MONDAY 17th NOVEMBER from 6 – 9.30pm

JAMES WATT CENTRE AUDITORIUM, HERIOT WATT UNIVERSITY

Cycling is growing in Scotland – for commuting, fitness, and leisure – but with it comes the responsibility to make our roads safer for everyone.

The Cycling Road Safety Roadshow brings together experts from law, policing, advocacy, engineering, and local government to share knowledge, discuss solutions, and build stronger partnerships for safer cycling across Scotland.

Whether you’re a cyclist, campaigner, policymaker, or simply passionate about safer roads, this free event is for you.

Hear from a panel of leading voices in road safety and cycling:

Roz Galloway – Partner, Cycle Law Scotland

Expert in representing injured cyclists and championing legal rights on Scotland’s roads.

Scott Runicman – Cycling UK (Scotland)

Advocate for everyday cycling and accessible infrastructure.

Simon Bradshaw – Cycling Scotland

Specialist in cycling policy, training, and active travel initiatives.

Stewart Sinclair – Police Scotland Road Policing

Insights from law enforcement on cyclist safety, collisions, and enforcement.

Eric Hill – Sweco UK

Perspective from transport planning and infrastructure design.

Malcolm Hall – Glasgow City Council

Bringing a local authority viewpoint on cycling infrastructure and policy.

ALL DONATIONS TO SAMH WHEN REGISTERING

Stay of execution for third sector projects as EIJB forced to think again

EDINBURGH Integration Joint Board has reined back on plans to slash services delivered on their behalf by third sector organisations across the city. The EIJB is trying to tackle a massive funding deficit but bowed to pressure to rethink their plans at a meeting yesterday.

Change Mental Health is relieved that the Stafford Centre and services delivered in Edinburgh by the organisation are effectively safeguarded, for the time being, following yesterday’s decision by the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB). However, there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure better collaboration leading to better outcomes.

Nick Ward, CEO of Change Mental Health, said: “While this is good news for the people who use our services, we remain clear that the proposed cuts were in themselves not needed. They represented a tiny part of the EIJB’s budget while having a significant, detrimental effect upon Edinburgh’s population.

“The process they put in place was fundamentally flawed in its approach, causing unnecessary distress to both organisations and service users. It has been disheartening for the third sector to have to continually make the argument that cutting early intervention and prevention services will only ever result in greater costs in the end.

“The fact remains that there are still significant cuts taking place to mental health services in the city and our sympathy and solidarity goes out to those charities affected. We are very disappointed and concerned that many of these cuts have been passed that disproportionately affect ethnic minorities and LGBT+ people.

“We called for the EIJB’s proposals to be paused to allow for a full, evidence-led and co-produced redesign of services. That appears to be what will now happen and we are grateful for that.

“We will now be a part of a crucial recommissioning exercise that can enable services to be more integrated and cost-effective through a better collaborative approach.

“However, trust needs to be rebuilt. There needs to be full transparency and a genuine dedication to working with the third sector by the EIJB, as well as a commitment to the principles of community-based early intervention and preventative approaches. We’re here to work closely with them, along with our partners, to ensure that we can truly meet the needs of our communities.”

Speaking after the meeting, Billy Watson, Chief Executive of SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health), said: “We are in a mental health crisis, and community and preventative mental health support is an essential part of how we tackle it.

“We welcome the IJB’s decision not to go ahead with the original proposals which would have effectively ended that support in Edinburgh. However, we are disappointed that a number of impactful support and advocacy services have been cut.

“This process has shown that we need to come together – funders, providers and especially the people who need this support – to jointly design a mental health system that works for and meets the needs of the people of Edinburgh.

“Redhall Walled Garden will continue to provide essential support to people with mental health problems for the time being, albeit with reduced funding and a recommissioning process to come.

“We’re hugely grateful to everyone that came out in support of Redhall, including Edinburgh’s politicians, members of the public and, most importantly, the people we support at Redhall and who make it what it is.”

The IJB voted in favour of the proposals relating to agenda item 6.1.

Late Composite Proposal – Item 6.1 Review of Contracts and Service Level AgreementsDownload
Review of Contracts and Service Level AgreementsDownload

Nathan Evans and The Saint Phnx Band announce intimate gig to support Scotland’s mental health

Scottish music sensations Nathan Evans and Saint Phnx will be singing for the nation’s mental health at a special charity gig for SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health).

The unforgettable and intimate night of live music will be held at the stunning Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh on Friday 6 June, with just 150 pairs of tickets up for grabs at this exclusive event.

Tickets are available through a text to win prize draw, powered by the Fonix platform (www.fonix.com), giving fans the chance to win a pair of tickets by texting GIG to 84903.

You will be charged your standard network rate charge and a voluntary £3 donation to SAMH – You must be 18 or over and have the bill payer’s permission to enter. Entries close at 11:59pm on 11/05/2025.

See T&Cs at samh.org.uk/gstc

The event signals the start of SAMH’s new programme of special events, The Garden Sessions: an exclusive fundraising initiative that joins the magic of live music with support for vital mental health services.

Nathan Evans, known for his viral sea shanties, and chart-topping band Saint Phnx, will headline the first SAMH Garden Session, with more exclusive shows planned later in the year.

Nathan Evans said: “We’re absolutely buzzing to be part of the very first SAMH Garden Session. Playing an intimate show like this, in such a stunning setting, and for a cause as important as mental health, makes it really special for us.

“We can’t wait to be part of something so positive and memorable — it’s going to be an incredible night.”

Hazel McIlwraith, Director of Fundraising and Major Appeals at SAMH, said: “Music has an incredible ability to bring people together, lift spirits, and create lasting memories.

“Connecting with other people and being surrounded by nature is good for your mental health, and this special event will be an uplifting experience.

“With The Garden Sessions, we want to offer something truly unique that not only celebrates live music and gives fans the opportunity to see top artists up close, but also raises vital funds for mental health at a time when support is so desperately needed.”

SAMH recently announced plans to open The Nook, Scotland’s first ever network of walk-in mental health support hubs and proceeds from this event will help to support their establishment.

Find out more at samh.org.uk/the-nook.

Pilot walk-in mental health and wellbeing service to close its doors

‘NO FAMILY RECEIVING SUPPORT WILL BE LEFT ALONE’

“The Haven passes the baton to SAMH, leaving behind a wonderful legacy, proving Scotland’s mental health crisis can be reversed.” – Roslyn Neely – CEO, Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity 

A walk-in wellbeing and resilience pilot, developed to tackle Scotland’s mental health crisis will come to an end in the summer, after demonstrating unquestionably that early intervention can reduce mental health challenges among children and young people. 

The Haven opened at The Fraser Centre, Tranent in September 2023 under Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity’s ‘No Time To Wait’ strategy. It later moved to bigger premises in Haddington due to demand, and since opening the service has attracted 3,461 visits. Of these, 2,041 were children and young people and 1,420 were their affected family members. 

Roslyn Neely, CEO of Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity said: “We are incredibly sad that our pilot wellbeing and resilience service is coming to an end, but that was always our intention, as a charity we couldn’t fund this forever. 

“However we will close our doors with a huge sense of pride in what The Haven has achieved and a promise to all families receiving support that we will not turn our backs on them, we will continue to provide vital assistance, ensuring that the care and connection established through The Haven remain a core part of our work.”

Scotland’s national mental health charity, Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH), has recently announced The Nook, a network of mental health support hubs, which will build on the foundations laid by ECHC and the team at The Haven, marking a significant step forward for mental health support in Scotland, and beyond. 

Roslyn Neely continued: “We are delighted that our work will now contribute to a long-term, sustainable national approach to Scotland’s mental health crisis.

“The Haven passes the baton to SAMH, leaving behind a wonderful legacy, proving Scotland’s mental health crisis can be reversed, and we celebrate the fact that a major organisation like SAMH is stepping in to continue this important work. 

“Their ability to advocate for long-term government support means that children’s mental health remains firmly on the national agenda, and we wholeheartedly support this.”

The Haven is a groundbreaking two-year pilot which has successfully supported hundreds of families who have a child struggling with their mental health. Critically, it uses a walk-in format with no waiting lists.

The Haven takes a unique whole family approach, supporting not just the individual struggling with mental health challenges, but their parents, grandparents, siblings and carers.

Free SAMH event to help boost physical activity and sport as a mental health solution in Edinburgh

Scotland’s largest mental health charity is hosting a free panel discussion exploring how physical activity and sport can help tackle the current mental health crisis.

SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health) are inviting anyone involved in local sport, such as coaches, personal trainers, jog leaders and more, to join the event, hosted at the stunning Playfair Library Hall at the University of Edinburgh on Friday 29 November.

Speaking at the event will be Stuart Campbell, Director of the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow—the first major event in Scotland to pledge to Scotland’s Mental Health Charter. Stuart will be joined by Professor Larissa Davies, a specialist in the economic impact of sport and physical activity. Attendees will also hear first-hand from people with lived experience of mental health problems, and the role physical activity had in their recovery.

Stuart Campbell, Director of the World Athletics Indoor Championships 2024, said: “My goal is to highlight what can be achieved through a social impact campaign in partnership with a major sporting event. We need input from all corners of our communities to challenge us to improve.

“This is a chance to start working together to ensure that upcoming sporting events truly resonate and prioritise your best interests. A Scotland that values wellbeing, supports mental health, and cares for its citizens is a stronger, prouder, and more prosperous Scotland.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to create connections with industry peers, share best practice, spread awareness of their work and ask questions directly to our panel of leading experts during a Q&A session.

Professor Larissa Davies, Professor of Applied Sport Economics at the Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “Physical activity is an important preventative health tool for combating poor mental health. 

“Being active reduces the likelihood of depression and anxiety, as well as the risk of non-communicable health conditions such as dementia. In addition, it also improves life satisfaction and general wellbeing.

“The case for investing in physical activity to address Scotland’s mental health crisis has never been stronger.

“My research focuses on measuring and valuing the social value of sport and physical activity, including the impacts on health, wellbeing, and social capital, both in the UK and internationally.

“Recent projects include the new social value model for sport and physical activity in England, and a study of Gaelic Games on the island of Ireland.

“I am looking forward to sharing more about my social value research, which spans across more than 15 years.”

The event is delivered in partnership with sportscotland and the University of Edinburgh and is free to attend for anyone who is interested.

Sign-up here Active Lifestyles: A high impact, low cost mental health solution Tickets, Fri, Nov 29, 2024 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite

Increased Focus on Suicide Prevention in Scottish Agriculture

The drive to raise awareness and understanding of suicide prevention in the Scottish agricultural community is set to take a significant step forward this month.

Ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day (Sept 10, 2024) RSABI is embarking on a recruitment drive behind a new role in the charity, which supports people in Scottish agriculture, focused on suicide prevention in Scotland’s farming and crofting communities.

The new position, being delivered in partnership with SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health), will see RSABI for the first time benefit from a full-time member of staff  focused on crucial suicide prevention work in Scottish agriculture.

As well as working long hours, the isolation of modern farming and lack of social contact, along with the impact of the increased cost of living, are factors which can have a major impact on the mental wellbeing of people in farming.

The aim is to maximise the opportunity for partnership working and collaboration with specialist organisations involved in suicide prevention, in line with the Scottish Government’s Prevention Strategy, Creating Hope Together.

One priority will be to improve understanding of suicide in Scotland’s farming and crofting communities and increase awareness of the ways everyone can play a part in suicide prevention.

The new role is set to add to a range of mental health initiatives RSABI is delivering to help provide emotional support to people in Scottish agriculture, which sadly has a poor track record in terms of mental health and suicide.

In the past two years RSABI has delivered mental health first aid training, working with former Royal Marines at IED Training Solutions, to over 700 people working in the frontline of Scottish agriculture, to help them to know what to say and do when someone is struggling.

The charity also works very closely with the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) and has this summer started an ambitious programme of Suicide Prevention training with young farmers, working with Papyrus, a charity which specialises in suicide prevention in young people.

RSABI has also seen demand for is free counselling services increase significantly over the past year with over 1000 free counselling sessions provided to people in Scottish agriculture in the past year.

The fact that farmers are often reluctant to seek help from a health professional at an early stage can also contribute to mental and physical conditions deteriorating. To help tackle this, and encourage farmers to seek professional advice, RSABI is rolling out a Health Hut initiative with a dedicated team of nurses and doctors setting up health huts in auction marts and at agricultural shows throughout the country.

A wellbeing app – Thrive Wellbeing – is also provided free of charge by RSABI, following a successful pilot programme with three young farmers clubs.

Carol McLaren, Chief Executive of RSABI, said the development of the new role in partnership with SAMH is a vital step forward: “We know that sadly we are still losing far too many people of all ages in Scottish agriculture to suicide and too often our welfare team sees the devastating impact this has on families and friends bereaved by suicide.

“The impact of these deaths on our closeknit Scottish farming and crofting communities, is huge.

“As a charity we already work closely with many of Scotland’s mental health organisations and working in partnership with SAMH and having a dedicated individual in our team focused on communications, awareness-raising and engagement around suicide prevention will ensure we can take the benefits of this collaboration to a new level.

“Our new recruit will also lead on new research in the coming months to help us increase understanding of a great many factors relating to suicide in Scottish agriculture. This will help us to understand how RSABI, working in collaboration with many others, can raise awareness in our communities, help prevent suicides and support those bereaved by suicide.”

Dan Farthing, Head of Suicide Prevention at SAMH, said: “The agricultural sector has always been demanding. There is widespread lone working and highly intensive long working hours, particularly at peak times of the year.  However, people are now facing mounting pressures as the economics of farming change.

“Climate change and workforce challenges are adding considerably to those pressures, and we are concerned that is adding to the risk of suicide in the community.

“This partnership with RSABI is really important as a step towards improving the understanding of suicide in the sector and creating opportunities to have meaningful conversations about suicide in farming communities to reduce risk. We’re grateful to RSABI for working with us and look forward to the work we’ll do together.”

Pause on debt recovery for people with mental ill health

Bankruptcy and Diligence (Scotland) Bill approved by Parliament

Protections for people who are in debt and experiencing mental health problems have been approved by the Scottish Parliament.

The Bankruptcy and Diligence (Scotland) Bill includes the power to bring in a pause on debt recovery action until six months after the person has finished treatment.

People may be eligible to apply for the mental health moratorium if:

  • they are receiving crisis mental health care
  • a mental health professional has confirmed that their debt is contributing to their mental illness or is hindering their recovery

Further detail of how the moratorium will work is included in separate regulations now before MSPs and will be subject to a public consultation.

The Bill also makes a number of technical changes to the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 2016, such as clarifying the time periods for appeals against decisions by the Accountant in Bankruptcy, the organisation responsible for overseeing bankruptcies. It also makes some minor changes to the law covering how debt recovery is carried out in Scotland.

Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee said: “Mental health problems can have a significant impact on a person’s ability to manage their finances. This legislation will give them breathing space during which creditors cannot contact them, enabling them to complete their mental health treatment and access money advice services.

“There has been broad support for the mental health moratorium and we will continue to work with our partner organisations as we put the new system in place.”

Chief Executive of the Accountant in Bankruptcy, Richard Dennis, said: “It has been good to see those with an understanding of debt and those with an understanding of mental health crises coming together to design an approach that can offer hope to those facing both these concerns.”

Jo Anderson, Director of Influence and Change at SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health), said: “The relationship between poor mental health and debt is well established: debt problems can lead to mental health problems, and mental health problems can result in debt.

“The passage of this Bill, which makes it possible to create a debt moratorium for people with mental health problems that prioritises mental health recovery over the recovery of debt, is really welcome.

“We look forward to working with the Scottish Government and partners to ensure that a moratorium provides robust protections and is accessible to everyone that needs it.”

The Bankruptcy and Diligence (Scotland) Bill

Draft of the Debt Recovery (Mental Health Moratorium) (Scotland) Regulations 2024

Support for football-focused mental wellbeing programme

Health Secretary announces additional £100,000 for the initiative

A programme which uses football to promote mental health and wellbeing has received additional funding from Scottish Government. The Changing Room – Extra Time initiative has been awarded £100,000 for a fourth year.

It builds on The Changing Room – a 12-week programme which takes place at football stadiums across Scotland and supports men to open up as they participate in walking football games, stadium tours, pitch-side walks and talks from a motivational speaker.

Extra Time aims to give people the chance to speak in more depth about their mental wellbeing and explore areas which are giving them particular challenges or concerns.

The programme is delivered by SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health) in partnership with the SPFL Trust and associated community trusts at Aberdeen (AFC Community Trust), Rangers (Rangers Charity Foundation), Heart of Midlothian (Big Hearts) and Hibernian (Hibernian Community Foundation) football clubs.

Health Secretary Neil Gray, who visited the initiative at Pittodrie, home of Aberdeen FC as part of Mental Health Awareness Week, said: “We know that it’s never been more important to look after our physical and mental wellbeing. It is pleasing to see this initiative go into its fourth year and to hear that is really is making a difference to people’s lives.

“We shouldn’t be afraid to talk about how we are feeling and this project has really helped people open up about their mental health.”

Billy Watson, Chief Executive at SAMH said: “The Changing Room – Extra Time project changes lives. It builds confidence, helps get relationships on the right track and it has even saved lives.

“Football and mental health are a great match. What this project shows is that football fans are not just comfortable talking about their mental health, they’re really keen to do so – as long as it’s in the right place.

“The Changing Room – Extra Time is the right place and we’re really grateful that the Scottish Government has agreed to continue to fund it.”

Kyle Hewitt, 37, from Dyce attended Changing Room Extra Time at Aberdeen FC and said: “I grew up aware of mental health and its potential impacts on people and those around them because of my own experience.

“But sometimes I didn’t feel like I had the ability to face the world. I had low moments as a parent and a husband, I wasn’t always nice to be around and I could be hyper-critical of myself.

“Then I embarked on a journey through Extra Time with like-minded men and amazing facilitators from SAMH. I realised I had been deflecting, avoiding and bottling things up. I was able to give myself credit for what I was doing.

“I also became more resilient and better at creating positive habits and finding ways to change my outlook and mind-set. I have thrived as a result.”

Aberdeen Community Trust Chief Executive, Liz Bowie said: “We are delighted to deliver the Changing Room Extra Time programme at Aberdeen FC Community Trust, working in partnership with SAMH and the SPFL Trust. 

“We have learned so much through the support of SAMH, which has ensured that our staff are appropriately trained and mentored to provide excellent support to the men who participate in this initiative. 

“We have seen amazing results and crucially have watched strong, supportive networks build amongst the participants which extend well beyond the term of the course itself. Football is a force for good and is so powerful in encouraging men to talk and open up to each other in support of their mental wellbeing.”