Live Well Kent has begun working with Charlton Athletic Community Trust, which supports young people who have severe mental health issues.
It provides them with sporting, leisure, social, art and cultural-based activities, all proven to aid mental health recovery.
These activities provide young people with a sense of ‘normality’ during a time of crisis, allowing them to socialise and not become cut off from others.
Everyone that Charlton Athletic Community Trust supports in this way* is a client of Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust’s early intervention in psychosis services.
Live Well Kent will be funding this important scheme until spring 2023. This partnership will allow Charlton Athletic Community Trust clients to access other Live Well Kent services too.
Find out more about Charlton Athletic Community Trust’s early intervention in psychosis work.
*Please note that to receive this type of support from Charlton Athletic Community Trust you need to be referred by Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust.
Jack’s story
Jack, who has experienced schizophrenia, is preparing to start university. It’s a big achievement that he didn’t think possible a few years ago.
Jack was hospitalised a result of the condition. During his recovery, he was referred to Charlton Athletic Community Trust . Its support enabled him to start a college course and begun rebuilding his life.
He says: “The Trust ran trips and activities, like online quizzes and poetry sessions, which helped me begin socialising with people in similar situations. I felt included in something and it really helped with my wellbeing.”
Like all Live Well Kent organisations, Charlton Athletic Community Trust works in collaboration with other support services so people get the best possible help. This meant that Jack was also able to receive support for substance misuse from Forward Trust and was given a room in specialist supported housing – where he could live whilst getting help for the issues he faced – by Avondalecare.
With the right support in place, Jack was able to complete his college course and gain a place at university to study mechanical engineering.
As his mental health and confidence improved, he has also become part of Charlton Athletic Community Trust’s buddy programme – supporting people who are going through similar situations.
The support Jack’s received has left him feeling more positive about the future and ready to take on new challenges.