What a game! ⚽

Rain, hail and shine, more than 350 people showed up in force for Brent on the Ball – and it was about so much more than football.

A huge thank you to the Silver Jubilee Park Charitable Foundation for bringing the day to life, including the personalised kits designed by some of our service users. We even had the chance to meet football legend Rachel Yankey.

The day also highlighted the incredible work happening locally to support mental health through sport. CNWL has partnered with Silver Jubilee Park, using football as a way to connect with people, reduce stigma and support wellbeing. They see thousands of interactions each year at Hendon Football Club – from activities on site to outreach work supporting our services at Park Royal Hospital.

It’s not just about football. In fact, most of the activities focus on wider wellbeing – whether it’s a kickabout, a cup of tea, or a dementia café, we want to tackle loneliness and help people feel they belong.

Rob, Founder from Silver Jubilee Park, who grew up in Brent and helped transform the ground into a thriving community hub, shared how the project has evolved over the past 13 years:

“When I used to play football for 90 minutes, my worries just left – and that’s what we want for people here too. It’s about prevention and community. The tea and coffee can be just as important as the football”.

Angela Byrne, Clinical Psychologist at CNWL, spoke about how programmes like Team of Life are taking psychology into the community, which uses football as a way to open up conversations that might otherwise feel difficult.  

“It’s about meeting people where they are. Football gives us a way to talk about life – who’s on your team, what goals you want to score, and how you tackle challenges.”

The day brought together a mix of activities, from salsa dancing and fitness sessions to Recovery College workshops, physical health checks and advice from Brent Health Matters. There was also some added extras – including barbers and nail technicians, giving people the chance for a fresh cut or a bit of self-care.

Participants helped create a vibrant mural throughout the day, which will now remain at Silver Jubilee Park as a lasting reminder of the event. A big thank you to our occupational therapy teams, who played a huge role in making the day happen.

We were also joined by a number of senior leaders, including Chief People Officer Nick Green, Managing Director Sabrina Phillips and Lead Governor Dr Ketan Sheth.

Nicholas Bygraves, Deputy Borough Director for Learning Disability Services and Older Adults in Brent, who helped organise the event, said:

“For us, it’s about bringing everyone into the room – creating spaces where people feel equal, like they are on the same pitch. This is our neighbourhood, and it’s important we get to know each other and work together to address the challenges we face.”

The event also reflects CNWL’s growing focus on neighbourhood health and despite the weather (and tube strikes), it was fantastic to see such a strong turnout from our Brent community.

More highlights coming soon!