Time to Talk Day (Thursday, February 6th 2025) encourages people to create supportive communities by having conversations with family, friends or colleagues about mental health. Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) are committed to listening and providing support to everyone in our community through our programmes across South East London and Kent, which offer safe spaces for people to talk about their mental health and wellbeing. Here are a few examples of CACT programmes which provide people across all ages with safe spaces to talk about their mental health:
CACT’s Premier League Primary Stars programme delivers mental health workshops in schools to support students in understanding and talking about their emotions. These workshops help children open up about their mental health, equipping them with tools to talk about their feelings and understand the feelings of others in a supportive environment.
Kent Wellbeing Activity Project
Funded by Livewell Kent, the Kent Wellbeing Activity Project supports the mental wellbeing of young people aged 16-25 by providing them with a safe space to take part in fun, free activities. From horse-riding and theatre trips to visits to the zoo, the activities offered through this project help young people build relationships, make new friends, and discuss their feelings in a relaxed setting. These shared experiences allow participants to bond over common interests and feel more comfortable talking about mental health without fear of judgment.
Men's Health: Walking Football and Social Evenings
CACT is committed to offering safe spaces where men can talk openly and connect with others. Two of our key initiatives, Walking Football and Men’s Social Evenings, provide opportunities for men to engage in physical activity and social interaction while also creating environments where they can share their mental health experiences.
Our Walking Football sessions are held at Eltham Goals on Tuesday mornings and at Footscray Rugby Club on Thursday evenings. This non-contact version of football is designed for men aged 50+, encouraging them to stay active while also creating a welcoming environment where they can chat with fellow players. Whether it’s to catch up on life, share challenges, or simply enjoy some light-hearted conversation, Walking Football offers a great way to connect while improving both physical and mental health.
In addition, Men’s Social Evenings are hosted every Monday at The Valley, offering a chance for men to meet new people, build relationships, and talk about anything on their mind. These sessions aim to create a friendly and supportive environment where men of all ages can talk openly while enjoying social activities.
At the Extra Time Hub, participants engage in a variety of activities - such as dancing, singing, and curling - designed to promote active ageing while encouraging socialisation. These sessions provide a great opportunity for older adults to connect with others who may be going through similar experiences in semi-retirement or retirement. The Extra Time Hub also offers a safe space where participants can talk openly about the ups and downs of getting older and explore ways to stay mentally and physically healthy in later life.
Live Well Greenwich directs people to specific services where they can discuss their mental health. Whether you're looking for a friendly chat or need to talk to someone about managing stress, coping with bereavement, addressing substance issues, or anything else, Live Well Greenwich offers a wide range of self-help resources, helplines and services, all of which can be accessed by clicking here.
Today, on Time to Talk Day, we encourage everyone to take a moment to talk about mental health with someone in their life.