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'. 🏆⚽🗣️Last n...
07/03/2026

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 Tom.

Tom has been getting quite a few votes recently which shows how supportive he is and how much fun he brings to our sessions. He celebrated being a champion with a champion meal as a treat!👏

55 at MHF tonight 🗣️⚽Plenty of football, lots of laughs and people looking out for each other along the way.More than ju...
06/03/2026

55 at MHF tonight 🗣️⚽

Plenty of football, lots of laughs and people looking out for each other along the way.

More than just a game - a safe space where everyone is welcome, conversations happen naturally, and no one has to face things alone.

Grateful for this community and everyone who keeps showing up 💚

It's MHF Friday! 💚⚽Fancy a game of football tonight with no pressure or expectations? Play, or watch and have a chat wit...
06/03/2026

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 The Hathershaw College. Newcomers welcome.

Each week, our attendees and volunteers select 'a champion of support, inclusion and the true spirit of MHF'. 🏆⚽🗣️Friday...
01/03/2026

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 Jim.

Jim always looks to encourage and support those around him, building trust and confidence. He doesn't get to MHF as much as he used to, but he improves every session he attends. 👏

48 at MHF on Friday 🗣️⚽Another evening of football, chatting, laughter and people checking in with each other.Different ...
01/03/2026

48 at MHF on Friday 🗣️⚽

Another evening of football, chatting, laughter and people checking in with each other.

Different stories, different reasons for being there, but the same shared space of support and understanding. 💚

Each week, our attendees and volunteers select 'a champion of support, inclusion and the true spirit of MHF'. 🏆⚽🗣️Friday...
23/02/2026

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 Alex.

Alex was a smiling, encouraging and vocal presence throughout Friday's session, lifting those around him. We were so pleased to see him receive lots of nominations from our attendees.👏

It's game day!⚽ Happy Somedays v MHF🗓️ Saturday 21st February 🕑 2pm kick off 📍M22 9RE💷 Free entryCome along, have a watc...
21/02/2026

It's game day!

⚽ Happy Somedays v MHF
🗓️ Saturday 21st February
🕑 2pm kick off
📍M22 9RE
💷 Free entry

Come along, have a watch and a chat, and support two great initiatives. 💚

47 at MHF tonight 🗣️⚽Another Friday evening of football, chatting, laughter and people checking in with each other.Diffe...
20/02/2026

47 at MHF tonight 🗣️⚽

Another Friday evening of football, chatting, laughter and people checking in with each other.

Different stories, different reasons for being there, but the same shared space of support and understanding. 💚

We were delighted to take part in a Football v Homophobia tournament with 15 incredible teams in Sheffield last Sunday. ...
19/02/2026

We were delighted to take part in a Football v Homophobia tournament with 15 incredible teams in Sheffield last Sunday. It was a brilliant and positive day of football, inclusion and diversity. 🌈⚽

Well done to everyone involved and these guys who represented MHF so well, they also came away with the runners-up trophy. 🏆

Massive thank you to Rainbow blades for organising a great tournament.

Each week, our attendees and volunteers select 'a champion of support, inclusion and the true spirit of MHF'. 🏆⚽🗣️Friday...
15/02/2026

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 Ash.

Ash hasn't been attending our sessions for too long, but he quickly got what it's all about - support, inclusion and encouragement. We love it when people bring fun and humour to MHF and we can see why so many people nominated him this week. 👏

Address

The Hathershaw College, Bellfield Avenue
Oldham
OL83EP

Telephone

+447760175925

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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.