Wigan mental health football league returns with a socially distanced twist

A five-a-side league which uses football to start conversations about mental health has returned from its lockdown hiatus with a socially distanced twist.

Place 2 Place has been helping men speak out about their experiences with mental illnesses for almost three years, using sport as a method to ease people into talking about more pressing matters.

It is cruelly ironic that the lockdown has hindered the team’s efforts to support men with their mental health at a time when some need help the most. But its members have been easing back into physical activity with a unique change to make sure players can adhere to social distancing measures.

Instead of their usual kickaround, players have been taking part in a few rounds of... foot golf!

The league’s founder, Peter Hill, said: “As chair, it’s been a difficult time with advice from governing bodies often confusing or conflicting. So we have introduced this in place of our Sunday session with our hosts, Winstanley Warriors.

“They’ve adapted part of their ground to accommodate a foot golf course so we can manage the groups whilst following the law.”

Peter founded Place 2 Place in 2017, as a way of easing more men into opening up about their mental health issues. The dad-of-two came face to face with the devastating effects of mental illness when several close friends took their lives in a short space of time.

Peter decided to take a stand against the stigma of speaking out about these illnesses, starting with a charity bike ride to Paris, before later going on to found the five-a-side team, which then became a league of its own.

Place 2 Place’s efforts to help people through their struggles have received a whirlwind of praise since its formation, but the nationwide lockdown has sidelines their fixtures until further notice, forcing them to think of other ways to keep supporting each other.

Peter said: “We secured sponsorship from Stateside Foods and Hodge Joiners and Builders just before [the lockdown].

“Money makes us sustainable through this crisis and we’ve been able to help three quarters within the club with emergency food parcels. The lads are also virtually cycling to Paris to keep spirits up - and we have been taking entries into an art competition. The art work will be displayed after this is all over, and we will run an exhibition in Wigan with money donated to an NHS fund.”

Visit facebook.com/place2placefc to find out more.