Charity uses power of sport to boost mental health
BBCOn a weekday afternoon, a group had gathered to play badminton and table tennis at a leisure centre in Woodley.
Their aim, was to try and improve their health. The target was not better physical fitness but supporting the mental health of those taking part.
The session is tied to the 'Soles of the Season campaign,' run by the Berkshire charity, Sport in Mind.
It recognises that far from being a season of joy for all, Christmas and New Year, combined with the dark winter nights, can makes things worse for people when it comes to their mental health.
Around 20 regulars had come to the Woodford Park Leisure Centre. They cover a wide range in both age and ability.
Coach, Mano Yesfu, explained the sessions are very different to the clinical settings traditionally associated with those seeking help with their mental health.
"They don't have to worry about taking medicines or anything," she said. "They just leave all the worries outside and they come here with a positive attitude."
That idea was reflected in note pinned to a Christmas Tree in the leisure centre reception, placed there by the event organisers.
"You are doing your best and that's enough" it read.
Sam began attending the sessions two years ago, after experiencing anxiety. It was triggered by a close family member experiencing a medical emergency and the stress of getting them to hospital.
"Coming here is just amazing, because you get to meet other people and it kind of takes away your worries."
According to Sport in Mind, those worries can be particularly bad at this time of year, with one in four people with mental health problems, reporting that the holiday season makes them feel worse.
That was certainly the case for Georgina, who was Sam's doubles partner for this session.
"It's so hard," she said. "I mean it's lovely being with your family but it's like so much stress and that's really hard when you suffer with depression."
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