Player Support and Wellbeing Programme

In August 2022 we began a pilot project across Kent, aiming to work with 5 clubs, introducing a well-being model, focusing on mental health support and wellbeing for players and volunteers. 

Player welfare and mental health support is a vital part of our duty of care to our players and communities, as outlined in the RFU document Mental Wellbeing, Keeping the Rugby Community Healthy.

Since the pilot began clubs are joining the programme as it expands.

The programme include visits to those clubs, or virtual introduction to the model via a presentation. The model can then be tailored to their clubs specific needs and demographics.   

The presentation demonstrate to clubs how to set up a confidential email facility, run it successfully and sustainably, how to access training to provide mental health first aiders in cross sections of their club (including access to free MHFA training), provide policy and guidelines, and offer signposting to other organisations and possible partnerships (such as Blokes, The Harlequins Foundation, and Mindset Sports). 

Our wellbeing lead, Ali Boyd (Beckenham RFC), who has set up the project, presents the model and works with the clubs to establish the programme and provide mentorship to those clubs.

Ali won the social inclusion award Kent Volunteer awards 2022 for the initiative, and will now be working across the county to run the programme. 

Ali’s background is in 1st XV management and player support at Beckenham, and as a nurse specialist she specialises in emotional support within the NHS cancer workforce at Chelsea and Westminster NHS FDN Trust.

We are excited to be offering this initiative across Kent, for the benefit of all our players/volunteers, from 16-seniors and beyond. 

For any further questions or you would like your club to be part of the programme, please contact: well-being@kent-rugby.org