Innovative football sessions aimed at supporting and promoting men’s mental health have started in Bilborough.
The sessions, run by a group called ‘Bottled up Blokes’, aim to get men aged over 18 talking.
They originally started in South Normanton, Derbyshire, and have now expanded into Nottinghamshire.
Maintenance electrician and Bottled up Blokes founder Tim Cox, 38, describes the group as honest, open, and without judgement.
(Image: PJ Lynch)
He said: “The talking part of it is massive… …for me, it makes a massive difference.
“Men don’t find or use the outlets that are available.
“Most people might think this is just a kickabout, a game of football, but it helps massively. It’s your physical health that supports your mental [health], and shows you’re not alone.”
As an idea Bottled up Blokes began several years ago and became a Facebook group managed by Tim. It has been hosting talking groups and football sessions since 2022.
The group has since expanded into weekly in-person sessions across Derby and Nottingham, including the football sessions in Bilborough.
In 2023, Bottled up Blokes also teamed up with the Nottingham Forest Community Trust to start holding a weekly peer support group in Hucknall.
In June 2024, these weekly peer support groups will be expanded to Nottingham, held at the Portland Centre, in the Meadows.
Truck mechanic Ady Jackson, 38, said the sessions have helped him enormously in managing his own struggle with depression and anger issues.
He said: “I was quite socially awkward at one time. I wouldn’t open up or talk to anybody.
“Now I can go into a group and talk to people. I have a lot more confidence talking about my mental health.
“I’m proof that this works…I think it’s been brilliant so far.”
The Bottled up Blokes football sessions continue every Tuesday at Bilborough Sports Centre between 7pm-8pm.
For more information about the football sessions, and other services the group offers, click: here.
