Wellbeing Champion Role

There is an increasing recognition of the significance and advantages of fostering environments that encourage individuals to feel supported and candid about their mental health. Addressing the stigma, bias, and discrimination often linked to mental health within a sports context is crucial for establishing a safer and more inclusive club.

We acknowledge that both local and global pressures, such as cost of living,  on players’ well-being are at unprecedented levels, and the Somerset Cricket Foundation is dedicated to assisting you and your club in cultivating a culture where players can obtain the necessary support to safeguard against poor mental health.

To further this objective, we invite all cricket clubs in Somerset to appoint a Wellbeing Champion volunteer.

We will provide your club’s volunteer with a range of resources to initiate their journey as a Wellbeing Champion. Additionally, each Champion will receive:

• Mental Health First Aid training,
• Safeguarding Induction,
• Access to monthly peer support and networking opportunities with other Champions,
• and resources to aid their journey throughout the season.

Each month, there will be an online drop-in session for Wellbeing Champions, where they can listen to a guest speaker discuss a specific topic and share their successes with fellow Champions.

To participate in the Wellbeing Champion program, volunteers must obtain the approval and support of their club committee, which includes a close collaboration with the club’s safeguarding officer. Each club is expected to cover the cost of the Mental Health First Aid Certificate, which is £100.

What is Mental fitness?

Mental fitness denotes a state of well-being where the mind operates optimally. Similar to how physical fitness enhances bodily health, mental fitness fosters emotional, psychological, and cognitive resilience. It transcends merely the absence of mental disorders; it involves the active cultivation and preservation of a robust and adaptable mind. Each individual possesses a level of mental fitness that can vary, sometimes rated at 4 out of 10 and at other times at 8 out of 10. This variability is natural. However, our objective is to encourage initiatives that promote positive mental health and implement the five ways to well-being to foster a supportive community. I recommend viewing this informative video from MIND in Somerset to gain a deeper understanding of mental health.

Resources for Wellbeing Champions

In order to assist our Champions in their commitment to fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for cricket, each Champion is provided with resources that can be printed and utilized within their club and by their committee. Furthermore, each month, the Somerset Cricket Foundation will disseminate a post that corresponds with the Wellbeing Calendar, which can be shared and reposted on the clubs’ social media platforms. You can review/download and print the resources from here:

Action planning for Wellbeing Champions

The success of the Wellbeing Champion hinges on having a mutually agreed-upon action plan within the club. It does not need to be extensive; rather, it should be a plan that the club consents to, allowing each Champion to assess their goals at the end of the season and identify what has been effective and what can be improved for the next season. Below are some examples and notes to assist you.

Find your local support services

Get in touch

If you’d like to know more about Wellbeing Champions and how to take part, please contact us using the online form below. By doing so, we’ll also keep you informed of new community initiatives, events and other community news. You can unsubscribe at any time.