Mental Health Football

Mental Health Football Aiming to improve attendees mental health using football and peer support. Friday evenings, 7-8pm. OL8 3EP Newcomers from all backgrounds are welcome.

Mental Health Football (MHF) is held every Friday night on the outdoor 3G pitch from 7pm – 8pm at The Hathershaw College, Bellfield Avenue, Oldham OL8 3EP. The session is open to men and women of all ages and abilities. We have attendees who have never played football before, and others who’ve played previously and have missed being part of a team. The aim of MHF is to help improve attendees mental health using physical activity and peer support, in a friendly, easy going atmosphere. Mental Health Football is a pressure and judgement free environment where attendees can just turn up and play, or watch and have a chat with a great group of friendly, welcoming people. There are no expectations, no score-lines, no winners or losers, just players. No sign up or commitment is necessary. MHF was founded in 2019 by AFC Oldham's First Team Managers, Ross Elliott and Andy Steel. It went on to win ‘Initiative of the Year Award’ at the Oldham Sports Awards, followed by the runners-up spot at The North West Sports Awards. In August 2021 Manchester FA announced MHF as their ‘Grassroots Project of The Year Award’ winners. To help raise awareness and to have fun, the group enjoy the occasional friendly against similar initiatives and like-minded projects. In 2023, MHF proudly announced that six volunteers completed their training to become qualified Mental Health First Aiders. If you’d like to get involved with MHF as an attendee or volunteer, please send us a message at: mhfoldham@gmail.com or follow our social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Each week, our attendees and volunteers select 'a champion of support, inclusion and the true spirit of MHF'. 🏆⚽🗣️Friday...
31/01/2026

Each week, our attendees and volunteers select 'a champion of support, inclusion and the true spirit of MHF'. 🏆⚽🗣️

Friday's recipient of the Spirit of MHF Award was Ashford.

Ashford brings a cool, calming presence to our sessions. He's a reassuring rock at the back for any team he plays for and we've been lucky enough to see his confidence grow week on week.

Great vibes tonight 💚🗣️⚽
30/01/2026

Great vibes tonight 💚🗣️⚽

It's MHF Friday! 💚⚽Fancy a game of football tonight with no pressure or expectations? Play, or watch and have a chat wit...
30/01/2026

It's MHF Friday! 💚⚽

Fancy a game of football tonight with no pressure or expectations? Play, or watch and have a chat with a great group of friendly, welcoming people.

7pm - 8pm on the outdoor 3G at Hathershaw College. Newcomers welcome.

Each week, our attendees and volunteers select 'a champion of support, inclusion and the true spirit of MHF'. 🏆⚽🗣️Friday...
26/01/2026

Each week, our attendees and volunteers select 'a champion of support, inclusion and the true spirit of MHF'. 🏆⚽🗣️

Friday's recipient of the Spirit of MHF Award ws Danny.

Danny is one of MHF’s regulars on a Friday, not only does he constantly check in on other attendees, he is also very welcoming to any newcomers to the session.

What a way to start the weekend! Over 40 of us got together on Friday night for our weekly pressure and judgement free k...
24/01/2026

What a way to start the weekend!

Over 40 of us got together on Friday night for our weekly pressure and judgement free kickabout.

It's always great to see attendees, talking, supporting, laughing, scoring goals and encouraging each other.

Each week, our attendees and volunteers select 'a champion of support, inclusion and the true spirit of MHF'. 🏆⚽🗣️Friday...
20/01/2026

Each week, our attendees and volunteers select 'a champion of support, inclusion and the true spirit of MHF'. 🏆⚽🗣️

Friday's recipient of the Spirit of MHF Award was Joe.

Joe is one of our qualified mental health first aiders. He's a supportive and unselfish teammate who encourages those around him, improving every session he attends.👏

Another supportive night at MHF 💚🗣️⚽48 people came along tonight to play football, chat, connect, and check in with each...
16/01/2026

Another supportive night at MHF 💚🗣️⚽

48 people came along tonight to play football, chat, connect, and check in with each other.

A reminder that whatever you’re carrying, you’re not alone - there’s always support out there.

Thank you to each and every one of these people. 💚

7 years of Mental Health Football 💚🗣️⚽What started as a simple idea - a free, friendly kickabout where people could play...
11/01/2026

7 years of Mental Health Football 💚🗣️⚽

What started as a simple idea - a free, friendly kickabout where people could play football, chat and feel supported, has grown into something really special.

From just 7 people at our very first session back on 11th January 2019, to 40–50 people every week, MHF has become a space where friendships are built, stories are shared, stigma is challenged and no one feels judged or alone.

We’ve played football, laughed a lot, checked in with each other, raised awareness, supported charities, created support networks and welcomed people of all ages and abilities, always with the same aim: using football, movement and peer support to help improve mental health.

Thank you to every attendee, volunteer and supporter who’s been part of the journey so far. You are the reason MHF works, and we’re proud of the community we’ve built together.

Here’s to another year of looking out for each other 💚

Each week, our attendees and volunteers select 'a champion of support, inclusion and the true spirit of MHF'. 🏆🗣️⚽Last n...
10/01/2026

Each week, our attendees and volunteers select 'a champion of support, inclusion and the true spirit of MHF'. 🏆🗣️⚽

Last night's recipient of the Spirit of MHF Award was our volunteer, Ben.

Since he first attended a session, Ben has had an amazing impact on MHF, eventually becoming a volunteer. He's a welcoming, supportive and fun presence and simply makes our sessions better. 👏

Great to be back for our first MHF session of 2026! 🗣️⚽Back at Hathershaw College, with over 40 people coming together ...
09/01/2026

Great to be back for our first MHF session of 2026! 🗣️⚽

Back at Hathershaw College, with over 40 people coming together to play football, check in with each other, share a few laughs and offer support. This is what community looks like.

Here’s to another year of looking out for each other 💚

Address

The Hathershaw College, Bellfield Avenue
Oldham
OL83EP

Telephone

+447760175925

Website

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MHF - Our Story

MHF (Mental Health Football) is a weekly project providing free indoor football at Oldham Futsal Arena every Friday from 7pm - 8pm. The aim is to improve people’s mental health using physical activity, in a friendly, easy going atmosphere where fun and enjoyment are the focus – hence #FootballForFun!

Founded by AFC Oldham manager’s Ross Elliott and Andy Steel with initial support from AFC Oldham and Oldham Athletic Community Trust, MHF is pressure free, with no expectations, no judgement, no scoreline, no referees and no winners or losers. Men and women of all abilities are welcome to attend with no referrals needed and no singing up necessary, it is casual and you are free to come and go as you please.

The first session on Friday 9th January 2019 had 7 attendees and it’s grown from there, with players ages ranging from 18 - 64! Friendships have formed, bonds have been made, and some brilliant (and admittedly terrible) football has been played since, but the one thing guaranteed is fun.

(September 2019 update) MHF recently won the Community Initiative Award at 2019 Oldham Sports Awards.