Ospreys in the Community: Ospreys v Zebre Edition

In the Squad

Following on from the huge success of their Sporting Memories programme, Ospreys in the Community have teamed up with Swansea City AFC Community Trust to launch a brand-new 'In the Squad' project.

After securing funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, Ospreys and Swansea City will use the power of sport and their brands to engage with veterans across the community. They will work to bring them together to share memories, re-connect and improve and maintain their physical and mental health as part of the programme.

We will deliver sport and fitness activities based around football and rugby, including walking football and rugby, once a week at local venues. As well as keeping active physically, the team will encourage attendees to socialise by offering tea and toast in a “veteran-friendly” environment, supporting wellbeing and combating social isolation.

In addition, veterans will be given training in areas such as first aid, safeguarding, coaching and mental health first aid with the aim that, by the end of the project, they will be in a position to manage and run their own sessions.

Participants are advised that these sessions will be delivered in accordance with the latest social distancing guidelines.

Both organisations already have close working relationships with mental health charity Hafal and other charities in the area and are now really excited to be extending their network to work with veterans’ charities and CICs to ensure clear pathways in and out of the service.

Speaking about the new launch, Community Foundation Manager, Tom Sloane said: “It’s great to team up with Swansea City’s Community Trust for the first time for this brand-new project. We’ve seen a huge success in our Sporting Memories projects and the impact its had on individuals and their families. Sport and it’s values are proven to bring people together, help combat stress, anxiety and we’re delighted to bring two fantastic organisations together to support our community and local veterans.”

To register your interest and to join us on our first event, visit this link

http://bit.ly/InTheSquad

Bouncing Back Success

At Ospreys in the Community, we’re passionate on improving the mental health and wellbeing of young people. Last year we teamed up with Action for Children to launch a new “Bouncing Back” programme which has proved to be a huge success already. 

The programme works to support and improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people in secondary schools.

Funded through the huge success of last year’s Byte Night in partnership with Ospreys kit sponsor and Premium Partner, Philtronics Ltd, two staff members from Action for Children works closely with the team to ensure the successful delivery of the programme.

Through a number of engaging workshops, the new project provides basic support and knowledge to a wide range of young people, in particular focusing on three key areas: understanding and empathy about mental health, coping strategies and self-care, and the importance of talking and dealing with mental health concerns.  

Before the lockdown, the team recently completed the programme at Ysgol Ystalyfera Bro Dur to 140 pupils and had the following positive feedback:

Percentage of people who say it has helped: 

81% increase in confidence levels as a result of their attendance 

74% increase in their ability to cope with stress 

Percentage who have learnt something new from the course:

100% now know who to ask for help

95% now know when to ask for help

At the end of each Bouncing Back programme, each participant receives a Mental Health First Aid Kit, providing them with resources that support them to manage their mood and sustain improvements in their emotional wellbeing. Feedback questionnaires following the delivery of each programme will also help us to identify those young people who may be at risk of requiring a higher-tier intervention.

For more information and to get involved with the programme, contact us today:

Tom.sloane@ospreysrugby.com