Brixham RFC & MENTAL WELLBEING

Brixham RFC are delighted to announce a long-term partnership with Rugby Mental Health Charity Looseheadz as part of the clubs wellbeing commitment to its player’s, members and rugby community. Looseheadz aim is normalise the conversation and #tackle the stigma of mental health.

BRFC Chairman Chris Forster commented, "It has been a difficult couple of years for everyone in different ways. I am inspired by our Wellbeing Team who have sought to form a partnership with LooseHeadz and I am fully behind the positive impact this will have on everyone involved in the club. Creating a safe environment for people to talk, share, listen and support one another is fundamental to everything we believe in at the Club."

LooseHeadz Co-Founder Rob Shotton said: "We're delighted to have joined forces with Brixham RFC. It's important for us to widen our reach and strengthen our presence in the South West and through this partnership we are able to do that. We're excited to get started.

WHO ARE LOOSEHEADZ?

LooseHeadz are a rugby clothing brand working to #TackleTheStigma that surrounds mental health in sport. Each sale of their rugby clothing helps to fund the LooseHeadz Foundation. 100% of the profits from the sales of their rugby leisurewear will go towards improving the mental wellbeing of players at every level of the game.

Our Mission

We’re on a mission to save lives.

We’re doing this by placing a mental health lead at every rugby club around the world. We then provide these clubs with a toolkit of free resources to help support the well-being of players, coaches& fans.

Together, we are building a global community of people united around a shared vision to #TackleTheStigma that surrounds mental health.

There is even more support coming with our new 3 Step Plan:

CONNECT – An online community hub designed to bring our community closer than ever before.
DELIVER – Rugby-specific mental health training programme designed for the rugby community, by the rugby community.
SUPPORT – Extending the pilot of our gold-standard clinical support service, providing rapid, and potentially life-saving support to those who need it most.

The LooseHeadz Foundation is the cornerstone of Looseheadz campaign to #TackleTheStigma. Currently the Foundation is funded through the sales of clothing, donations and fundraisers.

The Foundation is run by a board of trustees, and headed up by their patron Shaun Edwards, to ensure total visibility in everything they do. The trustees then decide where to distribute the money raised, and report back to the team on the impact of their campaigns.

Looseheadz are immensely proud to have Shaun Edwards as the Patron of the LooseHeadz Foundation. Shaun, a legend of both codes of rugby needs no introduction. His help, support and association allow Loozeheadz to further help the silent majority affected by mental health.

The Foundation operates entirely separately to LooseHeadz to ensure that all funds received are appropriately distributed.

More information on the Foundation at: https://looseheadz.co.uk/about-us/

HELP & SUPPORT

If you are experiencing a mental health problem, help and support is always available.

A list of numerous helplines and listening services for support and advice can be accessed at: https://looseheadz.co.uk/pages/help-support

More information on their website at: https://looseheadz.co.uk/

AT BRIXHAM RUGBY CLUB

Our Looseheadz Mental Health Ambassador is Bryan Pitman backed, up by a team of volunteer ambassadors willing to help anyone at BRFC.

Bryan’s role will be to liaise with Looseheadz in regard to mental health, well-being, resources, courses, events and act as the clubs point of contact if anyone is looking for more info.

Email: mentalhealth@brixhamrfc.com and we will be in contact to start a conversation and signpost help.

Brixham RFC Wellbeing Team are

FUNDRAISERS

Brixham RFC will be raising money for Looseheadz at various fundraisers over the year – watch this space! Proceeds will go towards the work of the team here at Brixham RFC and the Looseheadz Charity.

Don’t be alone ask for support FROM YOUR teammates

Rugby means getting up after a hard tackle. It means having teammates to cover you when you’re down. It means getting together at the clubhouse after a drubbing and sharing a drink. It means always having someone with you, next to you, behind you, supporting you, binding, covering, and rucking over. On and off the pitch. It means having a community to talk to, to listen to you, a team to conquer life with.

WE WILL TRY OUR BEST TO look after your mental wellbeing during these uncertain times

WAYS TO WELLBEING

CONNECT ~ Stay connected with family, friends and colleagues. Regular contact enables us to share ideas, concerns, worries and offer or receive support.
BE ACTIVE ~ Physical activity is good for our mental health, done in a way that is safe and right for you. A good diet, sleep and staying hydrated benefits towards good mental health.
TAKE NOTICE ~ It is important for us to try and focus on being present and in the moment, as our thoughts and feelings about the unknown can overwhelm us.
KEEP LEARNING ~ Mental stimulation has been shown to protect our mental health, taking up a new hobby or rediscovering old interest gives us goals to achieve.

HERE AT BRIXHAM RFC WE AIM TO BUILD A MENTAL wellbeing FRIENDLY RUGBY CLUB

FURTHER HELP AND SUPPORT SIGNPOSTING

Looseheadz Help & Support

If you are experiencing a mental health problem, help and support is always available

In an emergency call 999 or immediately go to your local Accident and Emergency department:

If your life is in danger (for example you are at risk of taking your own life or have seriously harmed yourself).
If the life of someone else is in danger (for example they are at risk of taking their own life or have seriously harmed themselves).
If you or someone else needs immediate help and you are worried about safety.

If you are not able to do this yourself, ask someone else to help. Find out more.

When it’s not life threatening, but you need urgent medical advice:

Call 111.
Book an emergency GP appointment.
Contact your local mental health crisis team.

For advice and guidance in non-emergency situations:

Make an appointment with your GP.
Speak to a healthcare professional.
Text the word RUGBY to 85258.

If you are experiencing emotional problems

If you want to speak to someone now

There are different helplines and listening services available that can provide emotional support:

The Samaritans (24 hours a day) – 116 123
CALM (5pm – midnight) – 0800 58 58 58
Shout (24 hours a day) – text ‘RUGBY’ to 85258
Childline (24 hours) 0800 1111
Papyrus (9am – 10pm weekdays and 2pm – 10pm weekend & bank holidays) – 0800 068 4141

If you would like access to talking therapies:

Make an appointment with your GP
Visit the NHS website to refer yourself.
Search for a private therapist through the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy website.

If you are in employment:

It may be helpful to explore whether you are able to access support through your workplace? For example, an occupational health department, an employee assistance programme, private medical insurance, in-house or telephone counselling services
Remploy’s Access to Work Mental Health Support Service may be able to support