Publish date: 29 June 2023
(left to right; Callum Kennedy, Bieza Atlabachew, Alison Hoble Wellbeing and Recovery College Service manager, Ruth Cadbury MP, Gail Dearing Associate Director of Community and Recovery Services, Riz and Lee Doyle Chief Executive Brentford FC Community Sports Fund)
On Friday 23 June Ruth Cadbury MP for Brentford and Isleworth visited the Wellbeing and Recovery college team at Brentford Football club stadium hub. Ms Cadbury met with staff from the Trust; Gail Dearing Associate Director of Community and Recovery Services, Alison Hoble Wellbeing and Recovery College Service manager, Bieza Atlabachew Business Development manager, Callum Kennedy Senior Peer trainer and Lee Doyle Chief Executive, Brentford FC Community Sports Trust.
Ms Cadbury had a discussion with the team on the benefits of the Wellbeing and Recovery college models across the country and how they serve the community. The team spoke about some of the courses the college offered which ranged from managing anxiety to developing life skills such as stitching to calm the mind. Courses are co-produced and delivered by a member of Trust staff and at least one peer trainer, recognising the equal value of professional training and lived experience and expertise.
Senior Peer Trainer, Callum Kennedy spoke about how after his own lived experience he felt he wanted to help people, which led him to become a peer trainer to support others with their mental health. The discussion also focussed on men’s mental health and how men often find it challenging to talk about their feelings. The team spoke about the recent success of a comedy course that ran in conjunction with the Comedy store. The course benefits were hugely welcomed by all students but in particular male service users as it helped them to utilise comedy as an outlet to channel their emotions.
Ms Cadbury was taken on a tour of the facilities and also watched a recent Match of the Day video clip that spotlighted the partnership work between the Trust and Brentford Football Community Sports Fund Trust. The team said a key feature of the partnership work is the community outreach and a location such as the Brentford Football Stadium Community hub offers additional accessibility.
Gail Dearing, Associate Director of Community and Recovery Services said "Our work at the Wellbeing and Recovery college increases our outreach out across communities to address educational needs to impact on health inequalities. The partnership work with Brentford Community Sports Fund helps to expand this offer and accessibility to our services."