Rugby League (RL) Cares and the Leeds Rhinos Foundation have teamed up to deliver a life-changing initiative designed to empower men to take control of their health and lead more fulfilling lives.
As part of a national campaign to help people who are currently not in education, training or employment (NEET), RL Cares and the Leeds Rhinos Foundation will deliver the charity’s acclaimed Offload mental fitness programme to men in the city.
According to the Office of National Statistics, almost one million people across the UK are deemed to be ‘economically inactive’ in 2025. One in five young people who are NEET have a mental health condition, and one in 10 are jobless after leaving university.
Offload will equip participants with the tools and techniques they need to tackle issues around mental wellbeing that may act as barriers to them securing fulfilling careers or accessing training and education opportunities.
The charity has secured funding for the programme from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board as part of the Healthy Working Life campaign.
RL Cares Director of Community Emma Goldsmith said: “We are delighted to be working with the Leeds Rhinos Foundation on this hugely important programme which will set out to help young men develop the essential life skills they need to get ready for work.
“Our partnership with the Leeds Rhinos Foundation has seen us deliver Offload to thousands of people across the city and the wider West Yorkshire region over the last few years. Our involvement in Healthy Working Life is terrific recognition by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin of the success of Offload and its effectiveness in changing lives.”
Leeds Rhinos Foundation Partnership and Project Manager Ben Berry said: “We’re proud to be partnering once again with Rugby League Cares to bring the Offload programme to men across Leeds, with a specific focus on supporting those not in education, employment or training.
“Together, we’ve seen first-hand how sport can be a powerful force for positive change – helping people to better understand mental health, while building confidence, resilience and the skills to thrive. Through the Healthy Working Life campaign, we’ll continue to support both young males (16-18) and adult men through targeted Offload groups, empowering them to take control of their wellbeing and future.”
Healthy Working Life aims to deliver the region’s work and health plan and its vision for West Yorkshire to have the healthiest residents and workforce in England by 2040. It will transform lives by offering personalised support to people with sickness or disability so they can stay in or return to secure, well-paid work.
The programme will deliver the region’s £37 million work and health plan, which has been created following consultation with residents and employers.
The programme aims to grow the economy and put more money in people’s pockets by:
• supporting those with long-term sickness or disability into secure, rewarding and well-paid work;
• looking at innovative ways to move economically inactive* people towards or into the workforce;
• expanding and diversifying employment support and employer liaison;
• reducing the predicted rise of people who are not be able to work due to ill health;
• supporting people who are at risk of having to leave their jobs because of ill-health to stay in work;
• helping people who are unable to work because of ill-health to return to work
West Yorkshire Combined Authority brings together the local authorities of Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield. Working in partnership under the leadership of the Mayor, the Combined Authority develops and delivers policies, programmes and services which directly benefit the people of West Yorkshire.
Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) are statutory bodies in the UK healthcare system responsible for planning and commissioning health services tailored to local needs, aiming to improve patient care and health outcomes. NHS West Yorkshire ICB is the body that carries out this function in the West Yorkshire Combined Authority area.
West Yorkshire is receiving a total of £37million in funding to help reduce the number of people who are economically inactive, reduce health inequalities and improve health outcomes in some of our most deprived communities.
For more information, please contact Health@leedsrhinosfoundation.org