The Blues’ official charity, Everton in the Community, runs an exercise programme, known as Inside Right, for veterans who are at risk of developing or who have mental health problems.
The North West of England is the largest recruitment ground for the British Armed Forces and sees the largest number of personnel returning from service and resettling. This number is currently estimated to be 6,000 per year.
Inside Right is designed to support veterans who are at risk of becoming isolated once they have returned to civilian life, and is backed by leading military organisations including The Royal British Legion, Combat Stress, the RAF Benevolent Fund and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and also the Football Foundation and Comic Relief.
The programme not only promotes physical activity but also the chance to gain football coaching qualifications as well as wider training courses. The project also aims to harness the feel-good factor of playing football by creating opportunities to volunteer and compete in leagues and competitions, helping our troops to cope more effectively with the transition back into civilian life.
There have been many successes from Inside Right, including players who have improved their fitness, made new friends, gained qualifications and in some cases, secured employment.
The initiative recently celebrated another triumph, taking the 'Health Improvement and Promotion' award at the Military and Civilian Partnership Awards in May 2013.
For more information or to sign up to the Inside Right programme, call 0151 530 5253.
