Mental Health Football

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Mental Health Football

Aiming to improve attendees mental health using football and peer support. Friday evenings, 7-8pm. OL8 3EP Newcomers from all backgrounds are welcome.

Mental Health Football (MHF) is held every Friday night on the outdoor 3G pitch from 7pm – 8pm at The Hathershaw College, Bellfield Avenue, Oldham OL8 3EP. The session is open to men and women of all ages and abilities. We have attendees who have never played football before, and others who’ve played previously and have missed being part of a team. The aim of MHF is to help improve attendees mental health using physical activity and peer support, in a friendly, easy going atmosphere. Mental Health Football is a pressure and judgement free environment where attendees can just turn up and play, or watch and have a chat with a great group of friendly, welcoming people. There are no expectations, no score-lines, no winners or losers, just players. No sign up or commitment is necessary. MHF was founded in 2019 by AFC Oldham's First Team Managers, Ross Elliott and Andy Steel. It went on to win ‘Initiative of the Year Award’ at the Oldham Sports Awards, followed by the runners-up spot at The North West Sports Awards. In August 2021 Manchester FA announced MHF as their ‘Grassroots Project of The Year Award’ winners. To help raise awareness and to have fun, the group enjoy the occasional friendly against similar initiatives and like-minded projects. In 2023, MHF proudly announced that six volunteers completed their training to become qualified Mental Health First Aiders. If you’d like to get involved with MHF as an attendee or volunteer, please send us a message at: mhfoldham@gmail.com or follow our social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

12/11/2025

2 years ago we were celebrating that we had 6 newly trained Mental Health First Aiders.

After further training this year, we now have 14 volunteers/attendees who are are Mental Health First Aiders.

This means MHF has multiple Mental Health First Aiders at every session for anyone who feels they need to talk or needs support.

Thank you to Pathlight Ltd for the brilliant training.

Congratulations to our 6 newly trained Mental Health First Aiders!

MHF will have Mental Health First Aiders at every session for anyone who feels they need to talk or needs support.

We'd like to say a huge thank you to Pathlight Ltd for 2 days of brilliant training.

Thank you to Dr. Kershaw's Hospice / The Furniture Hub - Dr Kershaw's Hospice / The Business Centre - Dr Kershaw's Hospice for the great training venue.

09/11/2025

Each week, our attendees and volunteers select 'a champion of support, inclusion and the true spirit of MHF'. 🏆⚽🗣️

Friday's recipient of the Spirit of MHF Award was Ed.

Ed is a popular and supportive part of our MHF family who is always willing to check-in, listen and encourage at sessions. On Friday he was nominated by 4 people for the 'Spirit' award which shows just how much he is valued by those around him. 👏

08/11/2025

Community and connection. 💚🗣️⚽

07/11/2025

It's MHF Friday! 💚⚽

Please note: Temporary venue change until December.

Fancy a game of non-judgemental football with no pressure or expectations? Play, or watch and have a chat with a group of friendly, welcoming people.

7.30pm-8.30pm at Oldham Academy North, Oldham OL2 5BF

02/11/2025

Each week, our attendees and volunteers select 'a champion of support, inclusion and the true spirit of MHF'. 🏆⚽🗣️

Friday's recipient of the Spirit of MHF Award was Ryan.

Ryan started attending MHF a few years ago and got a lot from our sessions. He asked about giving back and is now a brilliant and supportive volunteer. He's an excellent ambassador for our initiative and has captained MHF at tournaments and stadium days. 👏

01/11/2025

Another spook-tacular night under the lights 👻💚

Our mental health football family came together to play, chat and check in with each other - proving again it’s more than just a game ⚽💬

With plenty of tricks on show we were also treated to support, connection and a few laughs too.

28/10/2025

Each week, our attendees and volunteers select 'a champion of support, inclusion and the true spirit of MHF'. 🏆⚽🗣️

Friday's recipient of the Spirit of MHF Award was Robin.

Robin hasn't been attending MHF for long but he quickly understood what our sessions are about - peer support, understanding and connection, and he has made a great impact. It was fantastic to hear people nominating him already. 👏

26/10/2025

We had another brilliant night under the lights on Friday! 💚

38 amazing people came together to play football, chat, laugh and check in with each other.

MHF is more than just a game — it’s community, support and connection ⚽💬

24/10/2025

21/10/2025

Each week, our attendees and volunteers select 'a champion of support, inclusion and the true spirit of MHF'. 🏆⚽🗣️

Last Friday's recipient of the Spirit of MHF Award was Doolz.

Doolz probably brings a lot more to MHF than he thinks. He's one of the players you really want on your team, bringing fun, support and calmness to those around him. We really appreciate him at our sessions.👏

20/10/2025

Nearly 50 of us came together on Friday for our Mental Health Football session.

Different ages, abilities, backgrounds and fitness levels, all supporting each other, chatting, laughing and enjoying the session. ⚽💬

Connection, community, and care. 💚

Address

The Hathershaw College, Bellfield Avenue
Oldham
OL83EP

Telephone

+447760175925

Website

https://afcoldham.co.uk/mhf/

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MHF - Our Story

MHF (Mental Health Football) is a weekly project providing free indoor football at Oldham Futsal Arena every Friday from 7pm - 8pm. The aim is to improve people’s mental health using physical activity, in a friendly, easy going atmosphere where fun and enjoyment are the focus – hence #FootballForFun!

Founded by AFC Oldham manager’s Ross Elliott and Andy Steel with initial support from AFC Oldham and Oldham Athletic Community Trust, MHF is pressure free, with no expectations, no judgement, no scoreline, no referees and no winners or losers. Men and women of all abilities are welcome to attend with no referrals needed and no singing up necessary, it is casual and you are free to come and go as you please.

The first session on Friday 9th January 2019 had 7 attendees and it’s grown from there, with players ages ranging from 18 - 64! Friendships have formed, bonds have been made, and some brilliant (and admittedly terrible) football has been played since, but the one thing guaranteed is fun.

(September 2019 update) MHF recently won the Community Initiative Award at 2019 Oldham Sports Awards.