28 Not Out - The Mintridge Foundation Opens Important Discussions at Writtle College To Mark World Mental Health Day 2022

The commitment of our farmers in the UK comes at a price, and that is what took the Mintridge Foundation to Writtle University College to mark World Mental Health Day on 10th October 2022 in memory of Max Hunter who died by suicide in 2019.

Extreme weather conditions / poor harvests / supply chain shortages / a global pandemic / solitary working environments / Anti Meat Agenda / feed bills / generational family expectations / male dominated / stigma are just some of the elements that we can look at when exploring the the grim state of mental health in agriculture & associated agricultural trades.

Suicide and mental health continue to be incredibly difficult topics to talk about, particularly for young people and through the Max Hunter Fund, the Mintridge Foundation is determined to change this narrative.

We have found that it’s not always as simple as “opening up”, but what we want to encourage is for everyone to acknowledge their feelings on a regular basis and that is why we have created the Max Hunter Fund within the Mintridge Foundation where sporting superstars can share their lived experiences, their vulnerability and encourage a new dialogue around how to look after our mental health just as we do our physical. We deliver mentoring programmes across the UK focussing on Max’s favourite sports and encouraging a new dialogue around how to look after our mental health just as we do our physical in agricultural colleges such as Writtle College and other areas in the UK.

Patrick Foster and Georgina Roberts certainly got the students at listening, thinking and taking action during our 28 Not Out Max Hunter Fund Programme during 2022’s World Mental Health Day at Writtle. We loved being able to reach both the agricultural and sports students with their empowering stories.

Georgie has achieved so much in such a short amount of time and her confidence is paramount to her success. She urged everyone in the room to take themselves out of their comfort zone and find their inner self belief which has taken her to many International Grand Prixes, World Cups and win multiple awards in Olympic Trap Shooting.

Georgie’s route to the top has definitely not been a straightforward one and this is when some of the key messaging of the 28 Not Out Fund comes into its own. Georgie has experienced times over the past few years when life was quite tough. With confidence, she took time away from the sport and other aspects of her life which will help her across a lengthier period. This is something that isn’t so evident when the students moved on to hear from Patrick’s more harrowing story.

Patrick Foster shared his harrowing lived experiences of addiction and mental health with a number of the students and enlightened them on the dangers of neglecting their mental health when faced with a setback. With the lows though have been some incredible learnings and life-affirming moments, and Patrick shared some brilliant insights with the students about what they can do to support themselves and others in all areas of their lives; simple changes to our dialogue with friends to grasping the opportunities that life presents you. These are changes that Patrick has altered significantly.

Is “man up” when you break up with a girlfriend really the term that should be used?

Patrick shared his story with raw emotion and vulnerability, which really hit home with the students involved in our day. Key themes remained throughout about how we can all maintain and improve our mental health but remain true to the fun and close environment that team sport and being part of a community can bring.

One of the key reasons the Max Hunter Fund is supporting programmes like this is to raise awareness of looking after your own mental health and to ensure that everyone knows where they can get support when they need it the most.

This vital fund enabled us to travel to Writtle College, a college with both a sports and agricultural focus, to support those just like Max, and highlight the help that is available for the agricultural community.

One of our favourite elements of the programme means that the support from Georgie and Patrick didn’t end as they left the Essex campus. The Fund has enabled continued support for a further six months. Two students per Ambassador will have the privilege of working on a remote mentoring programme. We are always thrilled to learn just how far-reaching and positive the outcomes of the remote mentoring can be, demonstrating the incredible power of a role model; we have helped rebuild families through opening up and given young people the confidence to own their own stage!

Patrick and Georgie both shared their thoughts, lessons and useful tips on supporting your own mental health, as well as sharing other resources with the students, like this video from Joe Marler and his “Big Boys Don’t Cry” documentary.

You can find out more about the Max Hunter Fund here. Other resources shared on the day included:

Thank you very much to Patrick Foster and Georgina Roberts for your support in our mission to harness the power of sporting role models and tackling physical and mental wellbeing in young people.

If you would like to understand more about our programmes with elite athletes and how they can support the young people at your school or club, please contact Katie Smith.

The Mintridge Foundation is a registered charity dedicated to enhancing life skills in young people through sport. We provide a support network for young people by harnessing the power of positive sporting role models. The Mintridge Foundation assists young people of all ages, abilities and physical capabilities to develop confidence and resilience, and creates awareness of the importance of mental and physical wellbeing through sport. 

Our team of Ambassadors  - Olympians, Paralympians and other professional sports stars from over 20 sports, both team and individual - work with young people in schools, clubs and academies across the UK. Starting with visits including assemblies, coaching clinics and classroom sessions tailored to each organisation’s requirements, our ambassadors can then provide one- on- one remote mentoring in a safeguarded environment, delivered via technology such as Fitswarm and Playwaze to build a lasting legacy for individuals.

The Mintridge Foundation’s successes demonstrate the incredible power of sport; from a mentee’s selection to represent Great Britain in their chosen field to enabling disabled children to find confidence and happiness just through participation. Understanding life after sport, we also support our Ambassadors in their transition from active sport to the next stage of their careers.

The Mintridge Foundation

Unit 4, Shieling Court

Northfolds Road

Corby

Northants

NN18 9QD

Tel: +44 (0) 1536 447106

info@mintridge.org.uk 

www.mintridgefoundation.org.uk

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