Boxing to help mental health pilot project announced

Reporter: Judith Grinter

One in four people experience mental health problems at any one time and these people also have worse physical health outcomes and higher levels of work absence than the general population. In response to these pressing issues and against a background of huge cuts to health and social care services innovative ways of working are required.

A new partnership between Oldham Boxing and Personal Development Centre (OBPDC), Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust and Tameside, Oldham and Glossop Mind is addressing these issues head on through the development of a new project. As part of their Ringside Recovery Programme by launching Mind Fit Project and funded through the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Based on the findings of an earlier pilot people with mental health problems will be able to take part in a twelve-week pilot project focusing on fitness, personal development and employment skills. Each Wednesday afternoon participants engage in an hour of physical fitness based around boxing training and techniques and an hour learning about areas such as Mindfulness, Resilience, Nutrition, 5 Ways to Wellbeing, Interview skills and general Self Care.

Data is being collected from the participants in a number of areas, such as Body Mass Index, blood pressure, symptoms of mood and anxiety and overall functioning to assess the effectiveness of the project. The hope is that the data gathered will convince stakeholders that the project is an effective, cost efficient and innovative way to improve both physical and mental health as well as develop key life, self-management and employment skills.

Eric Noi the director of OBPDC has always worked towards a better understanding of how body and mind are interlinked.

He told Saddleworth News and Life:  ‘Our club motto is “A Sommes Envico A Mens Envinco” – “A Body To Conquer A Mind To Conquer” forms the basis of all the work we undertake in Oldham. It is important to approach health in a holistic manner to ensure all aspects of a person’s wellbeing are addressed rather than simply prioritizing one area, as mental health issues can have direct consequences on a person’s physical health and vice versa.

Author: Jude Gidney - Editor

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