KINGS NORTON TENNIS CLUB 

Improving Mental Health and Building Stronger Communities - We are looking to start up a new project called - "Young Minds, Health Minds", working off a similar projected we starting in ....more

Improving Mental Health and Building Stronger Communities - We are looking to start up a new project called - "Young Minds, Health Minds", working off a similar projected we starting in 2020 for Adults. In 2020 The Club and The Head Coach has started a new project called 'Feel Great tennis!' Its aim is to improve the mental wellbeing of adults in the local community, especially those isolated due to COVID. The project officially launched in April 2021 and provides free tennis sessions for adults. It is a great way to get adults exercising, and feeling the many physcial and mental health benefits of the sport, along with having a safe space to socialize with others and meet other people in the community. We have had as many as 40 adults taking part each week, and they have really felt the benefits. Quote from one of our participants: "Thank you to you and your tennis partner. I’ve always had a mental block with sport and especially with tennis. At school the PE teacher left in exasperation saying she can’t teach me. I was always last in PE and no one ever chose me in their team. So I would bunk of PE and go to the library instead. You were kind and supportive and even managed to get me to play a team game while you only focused on my positives. You gave me tips on how to improve. I went home on a high. As an adult LGBT female muslim - I tick a lot of boxes - and belong to minority groups who don’t exercise. So again thank you for putting on this sport. I’m also off work with my health so something to do in a group and for free has helped me a lot. Thank you to your charity and thank you immensely for your time and effort. N" Our objective is to run a similar project for children, running a 1.5 hour Tennis and Multisport session a week, to improve their mental wellbeing and life skills. The session will be focused on fun, socializing and enjoyment, with less focus on improving sporting techniques. Each weekly session will be split up into 3 parts - first activity will be a specific team sport, such as Football, Handball, Ultimate Frisbee; where teamwork skills, communication and social skills will be developed, followed by tennis games that allow children to gain the many mental wellbeing benefits of the sport, such as stress relief, building self esteem and self confidence. The final part of the session will be 'Family Time', where adult family members are also encouraged to join in, and allow children to spend time with their parents playing sport.