Work Programme: All to Play For

Covid-19 has shone the spotlight on the need for these types of interventions, to reduce social isolation and improve the resilience of our vulnerable communities. This year the project has widened and strengthened its partnerships, creating stronger integration with services and accessible links to wider support. We have partnered up with NHS Talking Therapies services enabling men to access support for their wellbeing and additional help around employment.

The current cost of living crisis has shown an increase demand in men needing financial support and the sessions have provided a platform where this support can be integrated at sessions. Being able to provide sessions for free on a weekly basis is still crucial in eliminating barriers to engaging in community interventions. Recently, All to Play For has also created links with a local gambling charity, ‘Reframe Coaching’, enabling us to provide localised gambling support for the first time as opposed to signposting to national support lines. 

Since relaunching after the pandemic 77% of participants reported their mental health is worse as a result of covid-19 and enforced isolation. 80% of participants report experiencing improved mood as a result of attending, and participants are also reporting accessing additional services such as stress management and employment support as a result of attending All to Play For. This year has seen a further increase in participants accessing employment support off the back of attending the project, with 72% reporting they had more information and support to find employment.

In addition to improving the mental health of men in Norfolk and increasing their accessibility to holistic support, All to Play For is also facilitating connectivity internally within NHS services and supporting better integration of our voluntary sector and the role it can play in helping the strain on our NHS. The model enables local mental health services to become better aware and engage more with other voluntary and statutory sector partners.

2024-25 has seen a particular improvement in collaboration with NSFT’s early intervention in psychosis department. The partnership is going from strength to strength with a solid two way referral pathway established between All to Play For and their service. Many men across Norfolk are using ATPF as part of their patient care plan and reaping the benefits. It’s now considered a vital part of the way the Early Intervention service is delivered for men under their care and is preventing service users needing more acute level of mental health care.

This year the project has also strengthened its link with Hellesdon Hospital’s male only ward, providing a community intervention for men under acute inpatient care to improve their mental health. We have had many men attending on a weekly basis from the ward with support from the hospital staff and all have found the programme hugely beneficial to their ongoing care. The programme also provides familiar support once they have been discharged.

Early 2024 saw a significant expansion of the Active NoW exercise referral programme, now encompassing a new referral pathway specifically designed for patients living with a stable Severe Mental Illness (SMI) diagnosis. All to Play For has been identified as one of the suitable activities that will be supporting patients with SMI coming through the pathway. The sessions will be supporting patients to help manage their SMI independently and provide them with the opportunity to meet like-minded people.