Hampshire FA has commissioned official mental health charity partners, Havant and East Hants Mind, to provide a wellbeing service for its staff.

Havant and East Hants is a local and independent mental health charity. The charity works to promote good mental health and seeks to support and empower people to lead fulfilling lives. The charity offers a wide range of services and supports individuals, groups and workplaces across South and East Hampshire and in some cases, county wide, through various services and projects. The range of wellbeing services also support kids and young people, families, adults and workplaces.

Hampshire FA has been working closely with Havant and East Hants Mind since 2021, when the charity was announced as the association’s official mental health charity partners. The partnership has seen extensive collaboration which has included teaming up for Time to Talk Day initiatives, World Mental Health Day Charity tournaments, Football for Better Minds (courses and mental health workshops), and even saw the charity become the headline sponsors of Hampshire FA’s annual grassroots football awards ceremony, to drive home the importance of mental health to all members in attendance.

“The steps taken by the association to incorporate a wellbeing service for staff with the charity was a natural and logical step to the partnership. This commitment further cements the incredible work that is being done with the charity across the entire organisation. We have built a close relationship with our partners and their workforce, and I believe that commissioning this service with them gives our workforce reassurance and confidence to discuss mental health matters with their qualified professionals”. Neil Cassar, Hampshire FA CEO.

"We're excited to offer HFA as part of our ongoing partnership - our ‘Workplace Wellbeing Service’. Like an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), employees can refer themselves to us. We'll provide up to six confidential one-on-one sessions with a workplace wellbeing practitioner, where they’ll receive tools, techniques, and signposting to help manage both work and personal situations, supporting with overall mental health and wellbeing". Anna Zakotti, Workplace Wellbeing and Training Manager at Havant and East Hants Mind.