In partnership with Leicestershire Action for Mental Health Project (LAMP), Leicestershire CCC is launching a new initiative aimed at addressing the growing mental health challenges faced by many.
Titled ‘Clear your mind, clear the boundary,’ this initiative leverages cricket as a tool for mental wellness and will take place over two days at Uptonsteel County Ground on September 18 and 19, 2022, from 10 am to 4 pm.
The program features two 30-minute sessions designed to empower individuals of all ages and backgrounds to open up and begin their journey to recovery.
The first session will be held in the Mike Turner Indoor School, where participants, regardless of ability, can vent their frustrations by batting against softballs in a net session. The physical activity is intended to release feel-good hormones and boost positive energy.
Following the physical session, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a one-on-one conversation with a LAMP mental health volunteer, set against the peaceful backdrop of the Uptonsteel County Ground pitch.
Leicestershire CCC and LAMP have introduced this initiative in response to the rising number of people experiencing mental health difficulties.
Statistics indicate that one in four people in England faces a mental health issue each year, yet only one in eight currently receives any form of treatment.
Joshua Carpenter, Marketing Executive at Leicestershire CCC, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “We believe managing mental wellbeing should be a top priority, so we were incredibly keen to create a project that combined cricket with a way to discuss mental health. This is our first mental health initiative, and we see cricket as the perfect tool to spark those initial conversations. We encourage anyone struggling to come to Uptonsteel County Ground, talk to someone in a safe, non-judgmental space, and leave with their mind a little lighter.”
Matthew Barton, Corporate and Community Engagement Officer at LAMP, added, “Our goal is to guide people through the complexities of mental health support and empower them to speak up so they can rebuild their lives. We want to use this event to ensure our communities are aware of the support available to them.”
The initiative will be held on Sunday, September 18, and Monday, September 19, with both weekend and weekday options to make the event as accessible as possible.
Attendees are welcome to join at any time that suits them and can choose to participate in one or both of the sessions.
