Mental Health Awareness Evening

Norwich City Fans Social Club (NCFSC) have held their fourth mental health awareness event at Carrow Road, the biggest so far, with 19 local mental health organisations in attendance.

The event was first organised back in 2017, with the aim of giving people the opportunity to listen and share their own mental health experiences and learn about relevant support services.

Although part of the social events organised by the NCFSC for Canary fans, the event has blossomed into a wider community event, with over 150 people attending on this latest occasion.

They heard from Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas, former footballer Darren Eadie, Norwich City’s head of academy goalkeeping Declan Rudd and under-21 coach Alan Neilson. Hosted by football journalist, Michael Bailey the panel shared their own life experiences, talking about grief, addiction, the power of counselling and the importance of communication when it comes to dealing with mental health issues.

Fosters’ Chief Executive, Chris Brown also joined the guests, exploring the role of employers in supporting their employee mental health.

There was also an opportunity for those attending to speak with all the groups in attendance, who covered a vast range of experienced support services who work to support people in the region. This included Norfolk and Waveney Mind and Rosedale Funeral Home, who Fosters work with locally.

Fosters have been sponsors of the NCFSC since 2017, with the group raising so far a wonderful £46,000 through their activities for the Community Sports Foundation. The charity helping to support disadvantaged, disabled and talented people across Norfolk through sport.