Woodley United Football Club announce that they will be working with "Sport in Mind" and WBC to encourage sport and physical activity amongst the local community.

The benefits of exercise in improving mental health and wellbeing have been well documented and include:

*reducing symptoms of depression

*improved feelings of well-being

*reduced levels of stress and anxiety

*improved sleep patterns and concentration and

*enhanced physical health

and the Club is delighted to assist Sport in Mind/WBC with the running of the free weekly sessions at Goals Soccer Centre (6-7pm, Wednesdays).

Mark Rozzier (CEO, WUFC) commented "having attended one of these sessions, it is great to see players enjoying playing in a non-competitive, supportive environment and the sessions reinforce what we as a Club believe, that sport should be accessible for all, with no boundaries"

Stephen Orwin (Mental Health and Wellbeing Physical Activity Co-ordinator, WBC) said "The mental wellbeing sports programme is a free service designed to promote and encourage positive mental wellbeing using sport and exercise as a tool.

The sessions are run in a relaxed environment by qualified coaches. There are several different levels at which you can play. You can play at a competitive environment, in which you compete with players and teams at your own level, or you can relax and learn the activities at your own pace with our coaches.’

Jeannette Cripps (Communications & Events Director, WUFC) added "having two autistic children myself, I can vouch for the health benefits and raised confidence levels that taking part in physical activity in an empathetic environment brings, it is great that Sport in Mind and WBC are running these sessions and increasing not only the wellbeing for the attendees and additionally a chance to socialise which might not have been available".

Individuals can self-refer to attend the sessions using the attached Sport in Mind form http://sportinmind.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Sport-in-Mind-Participant-Form-2016.pdf

For further details, please click on the link below:
http://www.wokingham.gov.uk/health-sports-and-activities/disabled/mentalwellbeing/