Tackling mental health stigma on the field

At Dallaglio RugbyWorks, we believe that every young person has the potential to succeed, regardless of the challenges they may face. That is why we are so passionate about providing tailored support to disadvantaged young people, to help them build resilience, confidence, and a sense of belonging.

One of the ways we achieve this is through our coaching sessions, which are designed to promote physical activity, teamwork, and discipline. Our sessions are about so much more than just rugby, they are also a safe space where young people can connect with each other and with our experienced coaches and mentors.

Our coaches also deliver interactive mental well-being workshops co-designed by our young people that specifically tie in with the overall skill focus of that half term.
So far this year this has included workshops on:

-Developing personal resilience and self-esteem
-Consent workshop
-Understanding your role in a team
-Overcoming issues and problem solving
­­­-Body image and self-confidence
-Managing anxiety

We are thrilled to see that 83% of our young people in this year’s first term felt more positive and connected to each other after attending our sessions. This is no small feat, and we believe it's a testament to the sense of community that we work hard to foster.

Our impact however goes beyond just helping young people feel more connected, we also provide a space where they can talk openly about their problems and feel supported by our coaches and mentors. In fact, 60% of our attendees feel comfortable communicating discussing anything with their coaches, which is an important part of developing trust and empathy.

We also know that one-to-one interactions can be incredibly powerful, which is why we are thrilled that 48.3% of our young people have already had one-to-one chats with their coaches. These interactions allow our coaches to provide tailored support to each individual, which can be especially important for those who may be struggling with their mental health.

It is heartening to see that despite the challenges our disadvantaged young people face, they still remain optimistic and resilient. In fact, 56% of them claim that they feel optimistic most of the time, which is a testament to their strength, determination, and ambition for a better future.

At Dallaglio RugbyWorks, we also believe in empowering young people to make their own decisions and develop their own sense of responsibility. 67% of our young people feel that they can make up their own minds about things - an important step towards building independence and self-confidence.

Finally, we know that building trust and relationships is key to supporting young people through difficult times. That is why we are proud to report that 70% of our young people have formed trusted relationships with our coaches and mentors and feel that they can speak to them regarding any issues. These relationships are built on trust, respect, and empathy, and we believe that they are critical to helping our young people feel supported and empowered.

We are tremendously proud of the impact that Dallaglio RugbyWorks is having on the mental health and wellbeing of disadvantaged young people. We believe that by providing a safe space, tailored support, and a sense of community, we can help these young people thrive and reach their full potential. This Mental Health Awareness Week, we are celebrating the resilience and strength of these young people and we are looking forward to supporting and reaching even more young people across the UK. Together, we can help include the excluded young people.