What we do

Football Sessions:

We provide six football sessions a week based in Redbridge and Waltham Forest for adults and young people. All sessions take place outdoors on 3G artificial turf pitches.

Further information about our adult and youth sessions are available on our Downloads page.

Venue details:

Douglas Eyre Sports Centre, Coppermill Lane, Walthamstow, E17 7HE  Bing Map Link

Fairlop Oak Playing Field, Forest Road, Hainault, Ilford, Essex, IG6 3HJ Bing Map Link

How do I get involved?

There is a short referral form to complete which can be downloaded from this site.  This can be completed by a health care worker involved in your care and if you do not have one please contact Sonia Smith for further information on 07538 101450. There is no waiting list or cost involved so providing that you have no current health risks, you can start attending as soon as you have been assessed.

We accept referrals from the 4 NELFT boroughs of Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge and Waltham Forest.  We can also provide a service for people outside of the 4 NELFT CCG’S. This client contact is referred to as a ‘Non Contractual Appointment’ (NCA). 

If you do not want to start playing in the session straight away you can come and watch, socialise or attend our social activities such as going to watch Leyton Orient FC matches.

Social Inclusion

Whilst the main activity is football, the real goal is about social inclusion as many of our participants have experienced discrimination, unemployment, poor physical and mental health and a lack of social networks and support.  Participants attending the sessions typically feel a real sense of belonging and self worth and this helps in their road to recovery. 

There are clear exit strategies; CTF staff will support services users to engage in social inclusion activities of their choice (volunteering, education/training, leisure interests or work).

Impact

We have had many success stories with our participants attending the project for a variety of reasons. Most want to improve their fitness and health, make more friends or achieve a vocational goal.

The benefits of the project and the positive impact it has had on participants’ lives can be seen in the following short film and case study:

Luke’s story shows how one young man who experienced depression and chronic anxiety used Coping Through Football as part of his recovery journey.