Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) and Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust are extending their pioneering community partnership at a special event at The O2 on Thursday, May 21st.
The renewed agreement will protect existing life-changing mental health programmes already supporting people across south-east London and Kent, while also introducing new initiatives designed to reach even more people in need.
The event will see a number of high-profile speakers, including former Premier League footballer and mental health advocate Clarke Carlisle, alongside Debbie Cook, Director of Community at the English Football League (EFL), and senior representatives from both organisations.
Believed to be the only partnership of its kind in the country between an NHS trust and the charitable arm of a professional football club, the collaboration will see CACT continue working alongside Oxleas to deliver a range of innovative community-based physical and mental health support.
The partnership has already been delivering groundbreaking programmes such as the Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) programme, which provides weekly activity sessions for people experiencing first episode psychosis, helping reduce isolation, improve social connection and support recovery. Up and At ’Em, another long-standing programme, supports older people experiencing mental health challenges by encouraging social engagement, physical activity and improved wellbeing.
Recent data from 90 participants engaged during 2024/25 highlights the impact of these programmes, with 72% of participants reporting improved mental health and reduced stress, while 66% felt more able to connect and communicate with others.
Alongside protecting these established programmes, the renewed partnership will introduce several new community support initiatives, including:
- An alternative referral service for those who need broader mental health support through social connection, advice, guidance and physical activity.
- Social prescribing support within the Greenwich Mental Health Hub, which will connect patients with non-medical, community-based support as well as practical advice around benefits, housing and other services.
- A new project for young people delivered alongside Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) that will blend young social prescribers with enrichment activities along the lines of the successful EIP programme.
- A jointly branded CACT and Oxleas minibus, supporting people to attend these programmes.
The partnership renewal event will take place at The O2, where guests will take part in an Up at The O2 climb before gathering at TOCA Social for the official launch, networking and discussions around the role of sport and community organisations in supporting mental health.
Clarke Carlisle said: “I’m delighted to be part of this event. I’ve seen first-hand the impact that Football Club charities can have. When Football Club charities collaborate with the right partners, they can have an even more profound impact on their communities.
“That’s why the renewal of this partnership between Oxleas and CACT is incredibly encouraging. Combining the vital work of NHS services with the trusted, community-based delivery of a Football Club charity helps ensure that life-changing care is extended further into local areas, meaning that people can access ongoing support and recovery, not just crisis care.
“I fully endorse and support this innovative and powerful partnership because it meets people where they are. I believe it’s not just a model of good practice, but best practice, that should be scaled up and replicated in other parts of the country.”
Debbie Cook, EFL Director of Community, said: “This partnership between CACT and Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust demonstrates the unique power of football to support health and wellbeing in our communities. Football Club charities are trusted, locally rooted and able to engage people in ways other services often can’t. By working closely with NHS partners, as CACT have, they can help extend vital mental health support beyond clinical settings and into everyday community life.
“This collaboration is an outstanding example of best practice, and one that shows the important role Football Clubs and their charities can play in supporting preventative, community‑based mental health provision.”
Dr. Ify Okocha, Oxleas NHS chief executive, said: “We're pleased to continue our work with CACT and expand support to more people in our communities.
“Exercise and social connection have a vital role to play in maintaining good mental and physical health.
“Partnerships like this enable us to join forces and pool resources to support local neighbourhoods and help more people to stay well and out of hospital.”
For media enquiries or attendance requests, please contact: press.officer@cact.org.uk