The Grampian Strikers recently became the first ever stand-alone mental health and well-being team in Scotland to achieve the SFA Standard Quality Mark award with the support of AFC Community Trust.

Formed in 2002 the main aim of “the Strikers” was to motivate and engage with 18-65 year olds suffering from various mental health issues such as depression and anxiety through a weekly football session. This received great support by the NHS and the Aberdeenshire Council Community Mental Health Team who sign post individuals from their case-loads to the sessions based at Ellon Meadows.

AFC Community Trust provide support to the team for every coaching session and on match days as part of the recently formed Scottish FA Mental Health League.

The league has expanded over the last year with teams taking part from all over the country in regular fixtures. Aberdeen was one of the host venues for the first time in March this year at Aberdeen Sports Village.
The Grampian Strikers have gathered real momentum in the last year which is highlighted by the improved confidence and well-being of the participants, some of whom have started volunteering at AFCCT programmes and even went into full-time employment.

By becoming the first Mental Health Team to achieve the Scottish FA Standard Quality Mark Award the Grampian Strikers are now recognised as a leading example in the nation to groups of its kind.
SFA and AFCCT Community Coach Scott Duncan who works closely with the group said: “the progression of the Strikers over the last year has been brilliant and by becoming the first team to achieve the Quality Mark award is hugely satisfying.”

“More importantly seeing the improved self-esteem and confidence of the participants with some of them now volunteering with AFCCT and going into employment is what the group is all about.”
Russell Brinklow a Community Psychiatric Nurse with the NHS and committee member of the Grampian Strikers added: “I think I speak for all of us when I say this signifies a very positive step forward.

“The training sessions have improved our focus on a weekly basis and our connection with AFCCT has given us a sense of pride in what we have been doing for some 12 years now.”