New Offload men’s mental health programmes launching at Bramley and Milford in November

Leeds Rhinos Foundation is launching brand new courses for its groundbreaking men’s mental fitness programme Offload- run in partnership with Rugby League Cares- at Bramley Cluster and Milford ARLFC.

The free 8-week programme is being rolled out at community clubs and organisations across the city following the huge success with our first cohort at Emerald Headingley Stadium, with the two new courses in West Leeds launching on Tuesday 2nd November. 

Offload is a critically acclaimed men’s mental fitness project which allows men to engage with current and former players to learn the techniques clubs use to manage players’ mental and physical fitness.

There have been more than 50 men who have successfully ‘Offloaded’ with Leeds Rhinos Foundation already and we have witnessed them make huge progress and bond together as friends, while enjoying the opportunity to attend fixtures led by guest speakers including rugby league legends Keith Senior, Lee Crooks, Jonny Lawless and war veteran turned PDRL star Simon Brown.

The project helps to challenge how the sporting world tackles issues such as depression and anxiety, and is receiving huge praise for its work in tackling the stigma surrounding men’s mental health.

Almost one in 10 men will suffer from depression at some point in their lives. Men account for 75% of suicides in the UK, the biggest cause of death for men under 50 and a leading cause of death in young men in England. Yet only 36% of people referred to psychological therapies in the UK are male.

Speaking about the success of the Offload programme, Community Clubs Development Officer Sam Horner said: “I can certainly say that Offload has probably saved three men’s lives in the time we’ve been delivering it and the feedback on one of those men from their families was unbelievable, a changed person who now is running with a near normal life and is able to work again. His message to me was ‘Please do not stop what you are doing for us, it has been so important to me.’

“Thankfully we’re now able to continue the great work having secured more funding for the Offload programme, with courses launching in Bramley and Milford. Some men are there attending to help others, some to gain a better understanding of Mental Fitness and many simply for themselves. But overall, it’s a truly fantastic programme which I’m proud to deliver.”

Offload is aimed at improving the mental fitness of men within our local community, meaning that an interest in rugby league is not needed to attend. But best of all, it is completely FREE!

Programme Details:

Bramley Cluster Children and Family Services Center

Tuesday’s 6-7pm- Starts on Tuesday 2nd November

The Milford Rugby League Club, Kirkstall

Tuesday’s 8-9pm- Starts on Tuesday 2nd November

There are still spaces available on both programmes and newcomers are welcome to join. All sessions take place within a COVID-safe environment and include refreshments. 

To book your place on one of our upcoming Offload programmes, please contact sam.horner@leedsrhinosfoundation.org

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