£15,000 was donated in April 2025 to Sport in Mind, to support projects running in partnership with the NHS to aid recovery, promote mental well-being and physical health and combat social isolation. Thanks to players of The Health Lottery, the donation went towards empowering people to move their lives forward in a positive direction. It specifically enabled the charity to continue its provision across Hampshire in its Adult, Children, Mum and Baby and Education Programmes.
Who did the money help?
The donation funded:
- 10 weekly adult sessions
- 1 weekly children and young people session
- 1 weekly Mother and Baby programme – 1 Education assembly
467 individuals took part and accessed 3,608 sessions with most attendees being involved in the Adult Education Programmes.
Common mental health issues include anxiety and depression, alongside conditions such as bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, and experiences like loneliness and low mood.
Key feedback from participants
Through conversations and a survey of participants, Sport in Mind reports a strong consensus that sessions improve mood.
Participants overwhelmingly felt included and part of a group, and state trusting the organisation and feeling supported. Responses are consistently positive, with only minor variation. This is backed with most participants choosing to socialise before or after a session.
Most respondents agree that sessions help build confidence, with the majority then being more open to trying other activities.
Starting to feel ‘normal’ again
In July 2022, after encouragement from the Early Intervention in Psychosis team, one participant took a first step toward recovery by attending a Sport in Mind session. At the time, they had been through a difficult period following psychosis and described themselves as inactive, wanting a gentle way to rebuild their life. Sport in Mind felt like a safe place to begin.
What kept them coming back was the atmosphere. The sessions were relaxed, with no pressure or judgement—just a chance to show up and move at their own pace. Over time, this consistency became important. They have now attended more than 100 sessions and even cycle 10 miles each way to take part, showing just how much it means to them.
The impact has been significant. They describe feeling “lighter” after sessions, as if their mind has been cleared. Being around others in a calm, supportive environment has helped them slowly rebuild social connections and feel “a bit more normal again.”
Now a regular part of their routine, Sport in Mind has helped them regain confidence, making physical activity feel possible again.
Sport in Mind hopes to expand provision into the New Forest, Portsmouth and Romsey to reach more people in need of support.