Football tournament raises mental health awareness

The second annual Goal for Hope tournament took place on Saturday, September 12, at the Winklebury Sports Complex, bringing teams representing various local businesses and institutions together for a day of football and conversations about mental health.

The event was by Inclusion Education organised following on from the Baton of Hope initiative, which aims to raise awareness of suicide prevention and encourage people to talk openly about mental health.

Marie Greenhalgh, innovation and development director at Inclusion Education and the local Baton of Hope project lead, said the tournament was intended to become an annual legacy event.

Team BCoT take part in Goal for Hope 5-a-side charity football tournament at Basingstoke Football Complex, Winklebury Photography by Sarah Gaunt 12th Sept 26 (Image: Sarah Gaunt)

She said: “Last year we held our first Goal for Hope tournament and it was all about the lead-up to the Baton of Hope Basingstoke.

“It’s about raising awareness, coming together, connection with community and spreading the message of hope.

“It was so amazing last year we’ve done it again and we wanted it to become our annual legacy. All these teams come together to play and talk about mental health and challenge the stigma that exists.”

Goal for Hope 5-a-side charity football tournament at Basingstoke Football Complex, Winklebury Photography by Sarah Gaunt 12th Sept 26 (Image: Sarah Gaunt)

Marie said football had been chosen because it could help people build connections and feel part of a community.

She said: “Football really brings people together, it builds the community, it gives that sense of belonging and we know that belonging is such a protective factor around mental health.

“Sport just gives everyone an opportunity — family, friends, supporters — to get together, do some exercise, play some games and spend the morning together.”

Inclusion Education Team. Goal for Hope 5-a-side charity football tournament at Basingstoke Football Complex, Winklebury Photography by Sarah Gaunt 12th Sept 26 (Image: Sarah Gaunt)

The tournament brought together teams connected with organisations working in mental health and suicide prevention.

Marie said: “I think football can really break down those barriers to talking about the things that are on our minds and our mental health and things.

“They’re part of every amazing organisation that continues to work in this field of mental health and suicide prevention.”

Goal for Hope 5-a-side charity football tournament at Basingstoke Football Complex, Winklebury Photography by Sarah Gaunt 12th Sept 26 (Image: Sarah Gaunt)

Teams were competing for the Goal for Hope Trophy and the Inclusion Education Cup.

There were also awards for sportsmanship, the most goals scored and the most goals saved.

The Goal for Hope tournament was one of a series of events connected with the Baton of Hope’s work in Basingstoke.

Marie said an anniversary event would be held at The Anvil on Friday, September 25, from 1.30pm to 4pm, marking one year since the Baton of Hope came to the town.

Sands v Kick out Stigma Goal for Hope 5-a-side charity football tournament at Basingstoke Football Complex, Winklebury Photography by Sarah Gaunt 12th Sept 26 (Image: Sarah Gaunt)

She said: “We’ve got a lovely event planned at The Anvil, where we’re going to bring together all the organisations.

“We’re going to hear from speakers, we’re going to look back over a year of Hope and have some lovely music and resources as well.”

Helplines 

If you would like any help with bereavement, loss or mental wellbeing, here are some helpline numbers:  

Call the Samaritans on 116 123 or go online at samaritans.org 

Child Bereavement UK 0800 028 8840 childbereavementuk.org 

Cruse Bereavement Care 0808 808 1677 cruse.org.uk  

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) 0300 111 5065 uksobs.org