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Nottingham Forest Community Trust hosted a special edition of the Tricky to Talk programme, focusing on the powerful intersection of physical activity and mental wellbeing.

The bespoke workshop moved beyond the traditional seminar format, offering a relaxed and supportive space for fans and the local community to explore how regular movement serves as a tool for mental resilience.

Led by Dr. Karen Neil and the youth-focused mental health charity The Wolfpack Project, the evening highlighted that staying active isn’t just about fitness – it’s about strengthening social connections and finding community.

The session provided practical strategies for integrating activity into busy daily schedules and shed light on the various support pathways available through The Wolfpack Project and other local services.

Dr Karen Neil, Independent Pharmacist, Health Coach and Health Promotion Consultant, said: “From my perspective working in public health promotion, the work Nottingham Forest Community Trust is doing is exactly what we need more of. Their mission to empower and enable people to look after their own health and wellbeing aligns perfectly with evidence-based interventions. By bringing people together in a supportive, safe space to connect, they are fulfilling a fundamental human need. We know that people need that sense of belonging to truly thrive.”

Jennine Fox, CEO at The Wolfpack Project, said: “It was a brilliant opportunity to be part of the Tricky to Talk session and have the opportunity to hear about people’s real life experiences. For me it reinforced the fact that strangers can have so much in common and build connection to combat a feeling of being alone or poor mental health.”

A key focus of the evening was the Trust’s Healthy Goals programme. This initiative provides accessible, low-pressure routes for individuals to become more active within their own communities, ensuring that the momentum from the workshop translates into long-term lifestyle changes.

Nigel Plant, Mental Health Practitioner at Nottingham Forest Community Trust, said: “Events like tonight’s Tricky to Talk session are vital because they break down the barriers surrounding mental health discussions. By linking physical activity with emotional wellbeing, we’re giving people tangible tools to improve their quality of life.

Seeing the community come together to share their experiences and support one another is exactly what this programme is all about.”

Tricky to Talk is Nottingham Forest Community Trust’s flagship mental health initiative, designed to break the stigma surrounding mental health within the football community. By providing a safe, informal environment for fans and the wider community to speak openly, the programme encourages peer support and ensures that no one has to tackle their challenges alone.

The Wolfpack Project is a Nottingham-based charity dedicated to reducing loneliness and promoting mental health among young adults. Through one-to-one support and community groups, they help individuals build the social confidence and connections needed to lead more fulfilling, connected lives.