MSP learns about LinkLiving’s vital work

Health and wellbeing charity, LinkLiving, part of the Link group of companies, welcomed Michael Matheson MSP to its Falkirk Academy, where he learnt more about the support available to young people in increasing their confidence and self-esteem through sport.

LinkLiving recently received £25,000 of grant funding from the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, administered by CVS Falkirk and the Scottish Government, for its Sporting Chance programme, which is being run in partnership with Falkirk FC’s Falkirk Foundation.

Young people aged 16 to 25 taking part in the programme learn tools and techniques to manage their mental health and wellbeing through sport and physical activity. The programme is also supported by Raith Rovers FC in Fife and Gold and Gray Soccer Academy in Edinburgh.

As well as meeting members of the LinkLiving team, Mr Matheson spent time with some of the young people participating in the programmes to hear first-hand about the benefits of attending Sporting Chance. Sarah Smith, LinkLiving’s CEO and Link Group’s Director of Communities, said: “We were delighted to welcome Michael Matheson MSP to learn more about the fantastic and vital work all our LinkLiving teams do. Our suite of resilience-building programmes, which includes Sporting Chance, equip young people with the tools and techniques to better manage their mental health and to successfully navigate all the challenges life throws at them. We warmly thank Mr Matheson for taking time out of his busy diary to come and meet with us.”

Michael Matheson MSP said: "I really enjoyed visiting LinkLiving and meeting people who use their vital services. It was also great to hear about the transformational work undertaken through the Sporting Chance programme, which is an excellent example of partnership work at its best. I was also delighted to see the important role the Moving On Up programme plays in ensuring young people get the support they need to lead productive and positive lives."

Chief Executive of the Falkirk Foundation Derek Allison said: “The Falkirk FC Foundation, official charity partners of Falkirk FC, are extremely pleased to be a part of the Link Living Sporting Chance programme. This programme very much aligns with our own strategic aims and objectives, which use the power of sport and, in this case, football to improve the lives of the young people in our communities. The Foundation understands the importance of good mental health and the benefits of being active; together they go a long way to building the resilience of our young people. We believe that everyone deserves an opportunity to succeed, and through our Pathway to Success programmes we want to ensure that no one gets left behind.”