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Nottingham Forest Community Trust is proud to support Mental Health Awareness Week 2025, a national campaign dedicated to raising awareness of mental health issues, challenging stigma, and promoting positive mental wellbeing. This year, the week takes place from 12 to 18 May, and the theme is ‘community’.

This year’s theme gives us the opportunity to celebrate the power and importance of community in protecting and improving mental health.

Being part of a safe, positive community is vital for our mental wellbeing. We thrive when we have strong connections with others and feel supported by the people around us.

Communities offer a sense of belonging, safety, and purpose, and they remind us that we are not alone, especially during difficult times.

In Nottingham, the need for this kind of connection and support is especially urgent. Local data shows that residents report lower levels of happiness, life satisfaction, and sense of purpose than the national average. Furthermore, 24 per cent of adults in the city report experiencing high levels of anxiety.

At Nottingham Forest Community Trust, we are proud to play our part in building stronger, more connected communities. This includes delivering a range of community-focused health and wellbeing programmes, and most notably our flagship ‘Tricky to Talk’ mental health initiative where we are helping individuals manage their mental health in accessible, meaningful ways.

Tricky to Talk, is our dedicated mental health support programme offering drop-in hubs, peer-led conversations and signposting. It creates a safe and welcoming space for anyone affected by mental health challenges, including fans and local residents both in-person and online.

“Our commitment to mental health is embedded across all our programmes,” said Colin Eley, Health and Wellbeing Manager at Nottingham Forest Community Trust.

“We believe in delivering long-term, meaningful impact and Tricky to Talk is a perfect example of that.

“By listening to our participants, working closely with health professionals and community partners, and staying grounded in real data, we continue to evolve and improve how we support mental wellbeing.”

That long-term approach is making a tangible impact.

A survey – conducted by Nottingham Forest Community Trust during the 2023/24 football season – found that 80 per cent of participants reported a positive impact on their mental wellbeing through engagement with our programmes.

Even more significantly, adult participants who have been involved with our programmes for one year or more reported 28 per cent lower levels of anxiety.

Our work goes beyond delivering services.

It’s about creating lasting, positive change. By using evidence-based practices, listening to participant feedback, and working with local professionals and organisations, we ensure our support remains relevant, effective, and community-driven.

Our efforts are further supported by Nottingham Forest player and Mental Health Ambassador, Harry Toffolo. His openness and support play a vital role in making conversations about mental health more visible and breaking down stigma within football and beyond.

If you, or someone you know, is struggling, please don’t be afraid to reach out. Help is available — from us or from one of the many brilliant organisations working across Nottingham:

• Nottingham Forest Community Trust
• Nottingham Counselling Service
• Will Garvey Trust Foundation
• Sands United FC
• Nottingham Recovery Network
• Bottled Up Blokes
• Tough to Talk
• Nottingham City Council
• Renewal Trust
• Nottingham Muslim Women’s Network
• Aspire PCN
• Double Impact