A men’s mental fitness initiative run by the charity Rugby League Cares is having a profound impact on the lives of men and their families across West Yorkshire.
Offload is a free programme that harnesses the power of sport to successfully engage men in a field of healthcare where ‘traditional’ providers have often struggled.
Over 10 weekly hour-long ‘fixtures’, participants (called squad members) learn the tools and techniques needed to become, and stay mentally strong when confronted by the pressures of daily life.
The ‘secret’ of Offload’s success comes from the team of clinically-trained presenters who work with Rugby League Cares, and the familiar, non-threatening nature of the venues used.
Offload presenters are, in the main, former professional Rugby League players who deliver the programme at Rugby League stadia, often from within the home dressing room.
The players share their own life experiences of coping – or not coping – with stressful situations, crises and trauma to help squad members assimilate their own coping strategies.
Offload is currently delivered at 11 professional Rugby League clubs, including Bradford Bulls, Featherstone Rovers, Halifax Panthers, Huddersfield Giants and Leeds Rhinos, and has been experiencing dramatic results.
Earlier this year, an academic study by researchers at Edge Hill University concluded that Offload is “a model of best practice” for engaging with men on issues around mental wellbeing.
The research was published in the international journal, Mental Health and Physical Activity and also found that Offload is achieving dramatic success in both changing and saving the lives of squad members, and providing those involved with a safe space to discuss mental health.
"Having the sessions led by former professional sports people working alongside mental health and community sport experts made it a safe space and allowed participants to express themselves fully. This, in turn, provided great outcomes for the men involved."
Andy Smith, professor in Sport and Physical Activity at Edge Hill University
Whilst many of the squad members are rugby followers, Offload is proving just as successful with non-sports fans who can relate to both the content and the relaxed nature of the setting.
"The feedback we receive from Offload squad members has been uniformly positive and it’s wonderful to see the difference the programme is making.
“Men who have previously had suicidal thoughts are becoming healthy and happy again because of Offload, as are men who have struggled for years with poor health such as low mood, anxiety and mild depression.”
Emma Goldsmith, Rugby League Cares Head of Community
For more information, including details in how to join Offload at a club near you, please visit www.rugbyleaguecares.org/offload or email community@rlcares.org.uk