Stevenage Football Club Foundation, in partnership with Mind in Mid Herts, is using football to make a difference in people’s lives through its Get Set to Go programme. These weekly sessions offer people facing mental health challenges a chance to get active, connect with others, and improve their well-being. Just ask Duncan, a 50-year-old from Hertfordshire, who has found that football is more than just a game—it’s a lifeline.
Duncan joined the Get Set to Go football sessions in January 2020. Living with anxiety, depression, and Type II diabetes, he was initially hesitant. But from that very first week, Duncan noticed positive changes. As he played, he saw his physical health improve: he lost weight and managed his blood sugar better. What he didn’t expect was how much his mental health would benefit as well.
“The best thing I could have done was getting in contact with Mind in Mid Herts,” Duncan shared. “I wanted to be more active to lose weight and get my blood sugars under control. Thanks to these sessions, I’ve not only improved my fitness but also my mental outlook.”
When lockdown put a pause on in-person football, Duncan and other participants joined virtual fitness sessions organised by Stevenage FC Foundation and Mind in Mid Herts. Led by the Foundation’s Health and Wellbeing Manager, these online sessions kept everyone moving and motivated. Duncan even got to enjoy “guest visits” from Stevenage Football Club’s First Team Manager, which made the sessions feel even more connected. “These sessions helped maintain a sense of community,” Duncan said. “They kept me engaged and active even while I couldn’t play.”
Now that the football sessions are back, Duncan is enjoying being with his team again. With a mix of warm-ups, drills, and matches, the hour-long sessions provide a full-body workout and a chance to have fun. Duncan is grateful to the Foundation for the impact it’s made on his life. “Mental health is just as important as physical, and there should be no shame in saying, ‘I think I need help.’ A massive thank you to everyone involved with Mind, Get Set to Go, and Stevenage FC Foundation—you’ve changed my life for the better.”
Through the Get Set to Go programme, Stevenage FC Foundation is helping people like Duncan feel healthier, more connected, and more hopeful. For anyone who loves football in Stevenage, this is a chance to be part of something truly life-changing.
