Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA have partnered with Sheffield City Region charity ‘Flourish’ to operate the previously named ‘Good Mood League’. 

The Sheffield Flourish League represents an inclusive football opportunity for clubs who can evidence an inclusive approach to people from marginalised groups. Teams play 11v11 football in a completely flexible format, with team’s allocated 1 fixture a month throughout the season.

Clubs already involved in the league demonstrate an inclusive approach by creating active partnerships with some of the following services: NHS foundation trusts, mental health charities, homeless charities, refugee & asylum seekers, drugs & alcohol. Games can take place at any time during the month with teams left to arrange their own fixture. However due to some of the partnerships matches usually take place during the day mid-week. 

Sam Firth (Football Development Officer- Disability) said ‘This is a really important step for the league, Flourish is a well-respected local charity & someone we have worked with indirectly in past through Brunsmeer Awareness FC.  We are really looking forward to working with flourish who we believe will help build the profile of the league & spread awareness of the positive impact football is having on mental health’. 

Sheffield Flourish is a Sheffield City Region charity whose aim is to involve those with lived experience of mental ill health in everything that they do. Flourish help people to share their stories by publicising them through their website: www.sheffieldflourish.co.uk & also provide the Sheffield Mental health Guide: www.sheffieldmentalhealth.co.uk which provides information about local support & activities. Flourish also work with directly with 4 community enterprises: Brunsmeer Awareness FC, CAST, Oasis & Open Door Music. You can find out more about those community enterprises by following the link to their website. 

Josie Soutar (Managing Director, Sheffield Flourish) said "We are delighted that Sheffield Flourish will be a key partner in the new Sheffield and Hallamshire Flourish League. We know through our own team, Brunsmeer Awareness FC, how important football can be in helping individuals living with mental health conditions to lead more rewarding lives. But more broadly than that, we love what this league will represent: the coming together of people from all walks of life, with no labels and no judgements, flourishing by simply being part of a team and enjoying a good game of football. As a big football fan myself, it doesn't get much better than that."