Article published: Thu 19th January 2012
SAMH's Get Active project was given a boost today when it was
featured in the launch of Sport Relief. Celtic Captain Neil Lennon
and Get Active-sponsored captain of the winning Scottish Homeless
World Cup team Robert Hare launched Sport Relief 2012.
Celtic captain Neil Lennon met Robert
Hare, a former Dundee United professional whose life
began to fall apart in 2010. In quick succession he lost his job,
his partner, his home and his car. He spent ten difficult days on
the streets of Glasgow feeling like his life was over. Little did
he know that within twelve months he'd be supported by SAMH's
Get Active
project to leading Scotland's team to victory in the Homeless
World Cup.
Robert Hare said,
"Street Soccer Scotland
and SAMH have helped me to turn my life around again. I don't
know where I'd be in life if I hadn't found this help."
Funded by Sport Relief, Get Active
project worked with the Street Soccer Academy to help Robert
rebuild his life. He became captain of Scotland's Homeless World
Cup team, mentoring the younger players and leading the nation to
victory.
"The Homeless World Cup experience was an
absolute bonus. Unbelievable!"
SAMH's own research has shown that people who
experience mental health are less likely to be active, for lots of
reasons including stigma and lack of confidence. To address
this, our Get Active programme promotes the use of sport and
physical activity as a way for people across Scotland to look after
their mental health. Comic Relief funded Get Active
to work with the Street Soccer Academy for two years, to
offer formal college-based learning, football coaching training and
voluntary work experience.
Please help SAMH continue to change lives. Donate now.
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