Richard Luscombe International Men’s Day is a global grassroots movement celebrated in at least 60 countries that invites every man, woman, girl and boy in the world to come together and celebrate men and boys in all their diversity.
Here at the Argyle Community Trust, we have a long and proud history of supporting equality, diversity and inclusion in our communities across Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall. We are proud to support International Men’s Day and of the work we do in supporting men and boys physical and mental health in the region.
Argyle Community Trust CEO Mark Lovell adds, “We are proud of the support we provide all members of the communities we serve. On International Men’s Day we honour the men and boys we support with the provisions we have in the South West.”
The below programmes are currently being provided for men, and in a lot of cases also women, with the aim of making a lasting and positive impact on men’s lives across the region.
Argyle FIT is a 12-week weight loss football league where goals are scored for losing weight. Seasons take place in Plymouth and across Cornwall, tailored for men looking to get themselves fitter, lose weight, and have fun whilst playing football. Players are able to enter as a team or an individual with the league being open to men over 18 with a BMI of 28 and over.
For more details contact
Plymouth ben.kerswell@pafc.co.uk
Cornwall jason.chapman@pafc.co.uk
Walking Football is a slow-paced version of the beautiful game. Sessions are available in Plymouth and Cornwall and are open to men, and women, over the age of 50.
The Trust even have a player who has recently captained England’s over 70s walking football team!
For more details contact:
Plymouth ben.kerswell@pafc.co.uk
Cornwall jason.chapman@pafc.co.uk
It’s a Goal is a joint enterprise between Livewell Southwest and the Argyle Community Trust. It is a therapeutic project aimed at tackling men’s mental and physical health through football. The project has been successfully running for more than 13 years and uses football analogies as a way of getting people to talk openly about their mental health difficulties.
For details contact will.hickey@pafc.co.uk
Ability Counts is run by the Trust’s qualified coaches to deliver targeted sessions for footballers with PAN disabilities. There is a junior version for children aged 5-16, and an adult version for those 16+. The Trust is committed to opening the doors of football for every corner of society, ensuring we provide access to the beautiful game for all players.
For more details contact alice.young@pafc.co.uk
Football Café, in partnership with Elder Tree Befriending Service, provides new opportunities for males diagnosed with dementia, creating opportunities for them to engage with others on a range of fun reminiscence, social and physical activities that can help exercise the brain. These sessions are powerful tool in improving the lives of people affected by dementia, often using football materials and memorabilia to trigger personal memories and stories.
For more details contact jamie.clewer@pafc.co.uk
FIT Fans uses interest in football to attract adults aged 35-65 to a free 12-week healthy lifestyle programme delivered by coaching staff at their local professional football club community trust. FIT Fans is proven to help people achieve significant long-term improvements in weight loss, physical activity, diet, and psychological wellbeing. FIT FANS has evidenced a direct impact on many of the greatest contributors to premature death, obesity, poor diet, high blood pressure and lack of activity.
For more details contact will.hickey@pafc.co.uk
Extra Time Hubs harnesses the power of a football club in the local community to bring older people together to combat loneliness and inactivity. The aim of the Extra Time project is simple – to offer those who are retired or semi-retired a space and wider community to improve their physical, mental and social well-being by taking part in regular activities such as seated exercise, singing, walking football, bowls and dementia groups.
For more details contact jamie.clewer@pafc.co.uk
Our Veteran Community offers support and activities for veterans and their families at our hub in Central Park.
For more details contact will.hickey@pafc.co.uk
Our BTEC Education Programme runs in Cornwall, Plymouth and Devon and often works with learners who have been identified as struggling mentally due to external challenges in their lives and who benefit from physical activity to support their mental and/or physical health.
Connor Fitzpatrick, Sports Tutor and S&C Coach for Cornwall Education offers an opportunity to decrease stress and anxiety by providing an afternoon gym session for learners to exert energy and become physically tired but mentally refreshed and have a positive outlook on education, and life in general.
For more details contact:
Cornwall mike.foley@pafc.co.uk
Plymouth lee.britchford@pafc.co.uk
Devon gareth.harries@pafc.co.uk
Our Traineeships are for 16–24-year-olds and can support those currently unemployed to develop their skills in a professional sports environment. We also support our trainees to get them into a workplace or further training and provide them with a work placement within an area they’re interested in. The aim is to help develop confidence, self-esteem and build employability skills.
Our Employability Programmes are open to those aged 18 plus currently not in employment. We aim to develop employability skills, build confidence, self-esteem and help people gain qualifications and skills to help them get back into work or further training.
For more details contact: emma.potter@pafc.co.uk
