who we help

Meet some of the participants that have benefitted from the Community Sports Foundation’s work

i needed A sociAl group. And i needed A chAllenge, both mentAlly And physicAlly to get bAck to being fit And heAlthy AgAin.

briAn briAn’s story

Brian Moore joined Run For Me after his wife of 47 years passed away.

Following his bereavement, Brian’s physical and mental health plummeted. Once a keen runner and a member of running clubs, his fragile mental state meant he neglected his passion.

Thankfully, Brian stumbled across a Facebook post from the Foundation, advertising the Run for Me programme. After taking part for the last couple of years, Brian now feels more confident about going outside and meeting new people. The weekly run and chat has become a key part of his weekly routine.

“I needed a social group. And I needed a challenge, both mentally and physically to get back to being fit and healthy again.

It’s a great way to start the week. It helps clear my mind and allows me to interact with the others in the group, many of whom I now consider friends.”

run for me

Run For Me is a weekly community running group, with an emphasis on improving mental wellbeing. A legacy programme from Run Norwich, it takes place every Monday morning at The Nest and is completely free. Interested?

Find out more here

he just needed thAt someone else to believe in him And tell him he’s good enough

theo

theo’s story

The Foundation has helped reignite the spark in a teenager with autism – giving him back the confidence and self-belief he had unfortunately lost.

Before joining the charity’s Realising Potential programme, Theo’s mother Bree said, “He had lost a lot of confidence and had been showing signs of anxiety and depression. The pandemic and resulting lockdowns then made these issues even worse.”

With the support of the programme, which includes a weekly youth club and one-toone support, the Theo that arrived on day one is now very different to the one who attends today.

With Theo’s confidence and love for football back, he has now expressed interest in the possibility of getting involved with the Foundation’s volunteer football coaching programme.

“He just needed that someone else to believe in him and tell him he’s good enough.”

reAlising potentiAl

Realising Potential, which is supported by Norfolk Hire, the Professional Footballers’ Association and the Foundation’s City Giving programme, offers a range of free support sessions to children and adults with physical or learning difficulties.

Find out more here