NHS staff are playing a mixed gender football match in the Clay Country as part of Mental Health Awareness Week.

Players from the Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust were due to don their football boots on Wednesday (May 15) to play at Nanpean Football Club against a United Cornwall FC team.

The theme of the week is “Movement: Moving more for our mental health” and the trust’s health and wellbeing team has organised the match which will kick off at 6.30pm.

The match is one of a number of events being put on for trust staff during the week.

The events include a number of face-to-face talks with the health and wellbeing team, and a “coffee corner” talk on Teams. There is also a wellbeing walk taking place on Thursday on the South West Coast Path.

Jack Greaves, who runs weekly social football sessions for people of any age, ability or gender, said: “Our games are designed to create an inclusive weekly kickabout, bringing people together through the game we love.

“Whether players come to lose weight, make friends or just blow off steam, it does not matter to us.

“We are really excited about putting a session on for our fantastic NHS staff.”

Health and wellbeing practitioner Gary Wheildon said: “Physical activity and movement is well documented as a highly effective way of managing and improving our mental health.

“Football is an excellent vehicle for combining physical activity with social interaction - another well-known antidote for mental health issues.

“So, we have arranged this very friendly match against United Cornwall FC for our staff.

“Mental Health Awareness Week is the perfect opportunity to showcase events like this but what we hope is that activities like this match plant the seed for more sustained involvement over a longer period of time.

“We’re really grateful to Jack and also the lovely people up at Nanpean FC for enabling this to happen.

“Absolutely everyone is welcome to either play or support, so please just let us know at [email protected] if you fancy it!”

Admission to the game is free and refreshments will be available.