A Falkirk based mental health football team, run in partnership with NHS Forth Valley, Caledonia Services and Stenhousemuir Football Club, were given a rare opportunity to play on the hallowed turf of Hampden.
Last year’s winners of the SFA Mental Health and Wellbeing League Championship Cup, they were invited to take part in a tournament at the stadium with three other teams, ahead of this year’s Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Motherwell. Falkirk Users Soccer Experience (Fuse) won five of their six games.
The team, which includes staff and service users from Woodlands Resource Centre and Bellsdyke Hospital, promotes positive mental health and train twice a week at Stenhousemuir football club with support from coach Danny Newbiggings.
As well as regular games, the group provides opportunities for individuals with mental health difficulties to socialise and mix with other people interested in football in an informal setting with qualified health professionals. All team members’ physical health and fitness have improved as a result of taking part.
The team is pictured with their new sponsor and strips.
