Grassroots sport is good for our minds.

For millions of people, a grassroots sports club is far more than a place to play. It's where stress melts away after a difficult day, lifelong friendships are formed, where confidence grows and belonging is found.

Grassroots clubs are places where people of all ages feel accepted, supported, and part of something bigger than themselves - often when they need it the most.

BUT…

Every year, 100,000 games are cancelled every year in football alone due to poor pitch conditions, and by 2050, 1 in 4 pitches could be underwater.

Every cancelled game is a missed opportunity for connection, exercise, routine and the countless mental health benefits that grassroots sport provides.

So, we’re doing something about it.

“It'll make me feel a lot happier because I can socialise, I can train more and get to where I want to go in the future."

Emilia, Old Northamptonians (See Case Study)

We helped this 100-year-old club raise £20,000 to make their pitches playable again and reunite multiple sporting communities.

mental health & grassroots sport

Evidence shows that taking part in grassroots sport is associated with better mental wellbeing, stronger social connections, greater resilience and a stronger sense of belonging.

People who participate in sport report higher levels of psychological wellbeing and lower levels of depression, anxiety and stress, while team sport provides unique opportunities to build friendships, confidence and community.

LET’S DO SOME COOL STUFF TOGETHER

Are you working to improve people's lives? i.e.

  • mental health charity

  • healthcare provider

  • wellbeing organisation

  • community group

We'd love to explore how we can work together, whether that's creating educational content, sharing research, developing community programmes, supporting fundraising initiatives or launching new campaigns.

Interested in collaborating with Save Our Grassroots?

We're building a movement of organisations that recognise the powerful role grassroots sport plays in improving mental health and wellbeing.