Minds United FC: How a club is aiding mental health through soccer

The power of sport and physical activity to improve mental health - through exercise, socialising and feeling a sense of purpose and belonging - is well documented.

But giving people a dedicated space, where they can join others in a purpose-built environment, is certainly no mean feat. 

That is something Minds United FC was formed to address three years ago. The club now offers communities in west London multiple teams and sessions per week.

Coach Vicki McGarrigle explains how two women’s teams were formed in 2021 and the impact they are having...

 

WSC: Tell us a bit about Minds United FC and when and how it came about...

VM: "Minds United FC was started back in 2019 by Tarik Kaidi to improve the community’s mental health through football. 

"Tarik had a great idea and never gave up building a positive organisation. He saw a vision of how we can help people enjoy themselves through football.

"Minds United FC involves football, socialising, connections and a support network, including partnering up with other organisations to support our players who might be struggling off the pitch."

 

WSC: Tell us a bit more about the women-only session. How did that come about?

VM: "Tarik asked me to start a women’s coaching session and a team – I was the communications officer at the time.

"I had helped a member, Natalie, join the club a few months before. She was a qualified coach and needed a focus, as she was going through a rough time.

"Natalie had never used her qualification on the pitch before. We thought it would be great to start the women’s programme together, as I was going through my FA Level 1 coaching course but was waiting to qualify. 

"Natalie and I started running two teams. I managed North Kensington Warriors in the area and Natalie managed London Lights for people out of the immediate area.

"We then partnered with Middlesex FA in 2021 to start the first West London Women’s Mental Health League."

 

WSC: Are there any plans to expand your female provision?

VM: "We partnered up with Kensington and Chelsea FC, who only had male teams for adults and youth, this year.

"Tarik asked me if I wanted a new project and I took the job as head female coach to build the Kensington and Chelsea Women’s team which, while having a focus on mental health support, also targeted the rest of the community who don’t necessarily have mental health concerns.

"This gives our community a choice. We can enter the same leagues as Minds United to get more clubs interested in starting up women’s teams in our own divisions."

WSC: What have been your biggest success stories to date?

VM: "We have put more than 40 members, both male and female, on Level 1 coaching and refereeing courses.

"It’s been amazing to see them grow and makes me feel my job is worth it. Helping others to improve individually is fantastic.

"My personal biggest success story was becoming a qualified referee and coach. Running two teams through Minds United FC really changed my life for the better.

"I also have lost five stone through playing football and having fun."

 

WSC: What advice would you give someone looking to start a similar initiative?

VM: "You need passion, focus and dedication. Keep going and you will see the positive results in no time."