“Life always presents its challenges, but it is how you overcome them that defines you." - The Mintridge Foundation visit Brooksby Melton College for a fantastic Max Hunter Fund Programme #28NOTOUT
The Mintridge Foundation visit Brooksby Melton College to share why mental health matters in a fantastic Max Hunter Fund Programme with Patrick Foster and Stevie Eskinazi #28NOTOUT
“I lost my balance, and what I thought was my identity, which nearly ruined my life… I didn’t do enough to look after my mental health, which is definitely something I know now could have changed my life…”
“If this ever happens to me again, I endeavour to be more open and honest with my family and support network, as this really did change my outlook and performance in all areas of my life… ”
Patrick Foster and Stevie Eskinazi certainly got the students at Brooksby Melton College listening, thinking and taking action during our Max Hunter Fund Programme recently.
With two incredible stories to tell, relevant journeys to reflect on and messages about the importance of looking after your mental health, it was no surprise that the students were hooked on the stories and words of advice our two inspirational Ambassadors shared, during this very special 28NOTOUT Max Hunter Fund programme.
Throughout our time at Brooksby Melton College, Patrick and Stevie both shared their journeys and experiences in professional sport but also how the path you devote yourself to and the journey you choose, may not always turn out the way you had planned.
As a current professional cricketer, Stevie Eskinazi on the surface may appear to have it all and has made it to the highest peaks of his career to date. Although his achievements and gratitude for the game is something he spoke about in detail with the students, Stevie also highlighted the setbacks he has faced on that road to perceived success and the daily work he does to look after his mind, especially in a game where you fail 66.5% of the time.
Patrick Foster shared his harrowing lived experiences of addiction and mental health with the sports and agricultural students and enlightened them to the dangers of neglecting their mental health when faced with a setback. With the lows though have been some incredible learnings and life-affirming moments, and Patrick shared some brilliant insights with the students about what they can do to support themselves in all areas of their lives.
As two Ambassadors that are used to working in a male-dominated, high performance and high-pressure environment, Stevie and Patrick also shared the importance of using those around you to lean on when times are tough.
Patrick and Stevie shared their stories with raw emotion and vulnerability, which really hit home with the students involved in our day. Key themes remained throughout about how we can all maintain and improve our mental health but remain true to the fun and close environment that team sport and being part of a community can bring.
One of the key reasons the Max Hunter Fund is supporting programmes like this is to raise awareness of looking after your own mental health and to ensure that everyone knows where they can get support when they need it the most. Mental health and suicide awareness is improving; we only have to see an increase in articles in the news to see this rise. One such example is this Guardian article that highlights the impact of the Covid – 19 lockdown and the rise in suicidal feelings among young people, something that we are determined to change through the Mintridge Foundation’s Max Hunter Fund.
This vital fund enabled us to travel to Brooksby Melton College, a college with both a sport and agricultural focus, to support those just like Max Hunter, and highlight the help that is available for the agricultural community. This fund was created by the Foundation in his memory.
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
Patrick and Stevie both shared their thoughts, lessons and useful tips on supporting your own mental health, as well as sharing other resources with the students, like this video from Joe Marler and his “Big Boys Don’t Cry” documentary.
As part of this programme, The Mintridge Foundation were delighted to be joined by We Mind & Kelly Matters, who delivered a brilliant SAFE talk with the agricultural students, to help them understand and recognise the role they have in looking after their own mental health but also the mental health of those around them, especially when working in an often isolating and high pressure industry.
Other resources included:
The Max Hunter Fund aims to leave a lasting legacy and support as many young people as possible. As part of this brilliant programme, four students have been selected from Brooksby Melton College, to receive a six-month mentoring programme with Stevie Eskinazi and Patrick Foster. This programme will support them over a longer period of time and in any way they deem necessary. The mentoring programme will also provide an opportunity for both the Ambassadors and students to develop a really beneficial mentor-mentee relationship.
Thank you very much to the staff at Brooksby Melton College for welcoming The Mintridge Foundation and We Mind & Kelly Matters to visit for this incredibly impactful Max Hunter Fund Programme, to open up the conversation on this topic. We hope to do many more programmes like this in the future.
Thank you very much to Patrick Foster and Stevie Eskinazi for your support in our mission to harness the power of sporting role models in tackling physical and mental wellbeing in young people.
If you would like to understand more about our mentoring programmes with elite athletes and how they can support the young people at your school or club, please contact Katie Smith.
If you are considering supporting the Mintridge Foundation as a business, organisation or as an individual, head to our SUPPORT US page below.
The Mintridge Foundation is a registered charity dedicated to enhancing life skills in young people through sport. We provide a support network for young people by harnessing the power of positive sporting role models. The Mintridge Foundation assists young people of all ages, abilities and physical capabilities to develop confidence and resilience, and creates awareness of the importance of mental and physical wellbeing through sport.
Our team of Ambassadors - Olympians, Paralympians and other professional sports stars from over 20 sports, both team and individual - work with young people in schools, clubs and academies across the UK. Starting with visits including assemblies, coaching clinics and classroom sessions tailored to each organisation’s requirements, our ambassadors can then provide one- on- one remote mentoring in a safeguarded environment, delivered via technology such as Fitswarm and Playwaze to build a lasting legacy for individuals.
The Mintridge Foundation’s successes demonstrate the incredible power of sport; from a mentee’s selection to represent Great Britain in their chosen field to enabling disabled children to find confidence and happiness just through participation. Understanding life after sport, we also support our Ambassadors in their transition from active sport to the next stage of their careers.
The Mintridge Foundation
Unit 4, Shieling Court
Northfolds Road
Corby
Northants
NN18 9QD
Tel: +44 (0) 1536 447106
www.mintridgefoundation.org.uk
