A suicide and mental health awareness six-a-side football tournament took place over the weekend.
With around 100 people aged between 16 and 70 in attendance to watch eight teams battling it out to win, the tournament has been deemed a success.
The event, which was organised in conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day – Saturday September 10 - was coordinated by the Transforming Lives group.
Transforming Lives is a volunteer-led project. The leaders are experts by experience in mental health and addiction or other underlying issues.
The tournament took place on Friday, September 9, at for Bolton Wanderers stadium site, now Burnden Park Sports Facility on Croft Lane.
There was music and a buffet was provided, and trophies and medals were awarded to the winners and runners up.
Among the teams taking part were representatives from Transforming Lives group, Supported Steps CIC, Achieve Substance and Alcohol services, Northern Care Mental Health, and Backup North West, some of which had two teams.
The eventual winners were one of the teams that represented the Transforming Lives group. The runners up were the team from Backup North West.
“It was a fantastic turnout,” said Andy Farnworth, founder and lead facilitator of Transforming Lives.
“There was lots of material leaflets and mentors on site to ask any questions or advice around suicide prevention or mental health.
“As a community group we thought of the idea that, in the current climate, suicide and mental health is a big issue in our borough, and with it being suicide awareness day it was a perfect opportunity to do something productive through getting people together through sporting activity such as football tournament.”
He added: “This is not a regular thing we do but look forward to putting other events on when we can highlight mental health.”
Patrick Dickinson, who attends regular football sessions through the Transforming Lives programme and participated in the tournament, said: “Fantastic day. Friendly and welcoming teams played in the right way.
“Fun, friendship and exercise. Great atmosphere.”
Bolton ex prisoner invites people to join Transforming Lives group
Transforming Lives is a not-for-profit community group which runs activities six days a week.
These sessions include boxing, walking football, fishing, cycling, walking and ‘meet and eat’ sessions.
The Transforming Lives group helps homeless people, ex-prisoners, and former drug users, as well as those in rehab, unemployed or people who just want a safe space.
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