Football programme scores wellbeing boost

A community football programme is helping people in Darlington improve their mental wellbeing through regular sessions combining physical activity with social connection and support.

Darlington FC Foundation’s Think With Your Feet programme provides mental wellness football sessions for local people, with its work being supported this season by Amazon.

Among its longest-standing participants is Darlington resident Carl Mansfield, who joined in November 2022 after living with depression for much of his life.

Carl credits the weekly sessions, and particularly the friendships formed through them, with playing a part in improving his wellbeing.

He has now been off medication for more than two years.

Having previously played Sunday league football, the sport gradually disappeared from Carl’s life as other commitments, including raising a family, took priority.

Think With Your Feet has given him an opportunity to reconnect with football while becoming part of a supportive group that meets regularly at Eastbourne Sports Complex.

Carl said: “I think that was a big part of why I ended up suffering with depression. 

“So, coming back and playing again through this programme with the Darlington FC Foundation has massively helped me. 

“I suffer with depression. 

“I’ve been on medication for it in the past. 

“Thankfully, because of this and other things I’ve done – like developing new coping mechanisms – means I’ve been off medication now for over two years.” 

Carl added: “Just coming out here, getting a run about every week, seems to blow the cobwebs away and help me a lot.

“Everyone’s got a different story on how they’ve ended up here, but everyone’s friendly, they’re open. 

“If anyone had problems, they wouldn’t feel afraid to pull me to one side and have a chat with me, and I wouldn’t feel afraid or worried if they were doing that.

“There are some very good players here, to be fair. 

“But then there’s the likes of me at the other end of the spectrum, so it’s not too bad!”

The importance of the sessions to participants is reflected in the lengths some go to ensure they can attend, with members arranging annual leave around the programme.

Carl’s employer allows him to finish at midday each Tuesday so he can take part.

Carl added: “I work five days a week, but on Tuesdays I’m able to finish at twelve so I can get down here. 

“They know how important it is to me.” 

Think With Your Feet is among a wider range of community initiatives delivered by Darlington FC Foundation, which attracted more than 9000 participants during the 2025/26 season.

Its programmes aim to improve lives, strengthen communities and reach people who may otherwise struggle to access support.

The mental wellness football sessions now run on Tuesday and Friday afternoons at Eastbourne Sports Complex.

Amazon recently announced a wider partnership with Darlington Football Club and its Foundation, running until 2027.

As part of the agreement, the company has donated £25,000 to help expand programmes supporting mental health, disability and youth engagement across the area.

Employees from Amazon’s Darlington fulfilment centre will also volunteer at activities and events organised by the club and Foundation.

Jack Docherty, site lead at Amazon's Darlington fulfilment centre, added: “Amazon cares deeply about serving the communities where our employees live and work, and our partnership with Darlington Football Club and its Foundation reflects that.

“We’ve been a proud supporter of the Darlington community since we opened our doors here in 2020, and we’re delighted to build on that support through this new partnership with Darlington Football Club.” 

Carl is now encouraging others experiencing mental health difficulties to consider joining the sessions and discover how combining football with a supportive community could help their own wellbeing.

He added: “A lot of people these days are facing mental health crises. 

“Things like this can really help. It can only be a benefit to the community.” 

“Get yourself down here!

“It’s just two hours of football. 

“Whatever your worries are, you can leave them on the side of the pitch. 

“Everyone’s friendly. You’ll have a good time. It can only help.” 

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