Saints by your Side's Dear England experience
Saints Foundation’s men’s mental health group have taken a trip to Mayflower Theatre to Olivier Award-winning Dear England.
From the National Theatre and writer James Graham, Dear England addresses strong themes of mental health and stigma, with team psychologist Pippa Grange playing a key role.
Saints by your Side gives men the tools to better manage their mental health through in-person group support sessions at St Mary’s Stadium. Once they have completed the group, they are invited to monthly catch-up sessions to check in with our staff and other men from their own group, or others that have been through the programme.
It is participants from this group who joined our staff to visit Mayflower Theatre for Dear England, with Saints Foundation using the trip to inspire conversation around stigma at their next catch-up session.
Patrick O’Sullivan, Mayflower Theatre Head of Participation, said: “We are delighted to be working with the Saints Foundation in ensuring their participants have access to top live Theatre.
“Dear England teaches us what it is to be resilient, as well as encouraging us to share our thoughts and feelings, demonstrating that theatre can have an important role in supporting our mental health.”
One of our Saints by your Side participants reflected on their experience of Dear England: “Most enjoyable storytelling show with some humour added in. Makes you smile and feel good."
If you need support for your mental health, Saints Foundation’s Saints by your Side is here for you. Find out more about the project here: https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/saints-by-your-side
