Mental Health Minister lauds former professional boxer’s efforts
to help those with mental ill health stay in work via programme
of controlled non-contact boxing classes
Visit comes as government unveils unprecedented £795 million of
additional funding to support thousands of people struggling with
mental health back into work over next five years
Government is dedicated to boosting nation’s mental health, and
helping people nationwide to stay healthy, get off benefits and
move into work
Pioneering efforts by the former World Boxing Council heavyweight
champion Frank Bruno, who is helping people with mental ill
health back into work, have been welcomed by Health Minister
during a visit to The Frank
Bruno Foundation in Northampton.
It follows the government unveiling an unprecedented £795 million
of additional funding so thousands of people can be helped back
into work over the next five years, keeping them out of poverty,
improving their wellbeing, and raising their living standards.
Funding will expand NHS Talking Therapies, so an additional
384,000 people will benefit from courses of treatment by over the
next five years and increasing the number of sessions available.
The former professional boxer has spoken openly about how
exercise has played a vital role in his battle with mental health
challenges. He set up The Frank Bruno Foundation in 2017,
offering wellbeing programmes and structured non-contact boxing
sessions for anyone over the age of 10 years who is experiencing
problems with mental ill-health.
A stay in work scheme is central to the Foundation’s work – aimed
at helping professionals with mental health difficulties stay in
work and prevent long term sickness. And an innovative wrap
around service helps professionals deal with other contributing
struggles such as housing, money worries, addiction, family
difficulties and bereavement.
Mental Health Minister, , said:
Frank and his team are doing a great job at getting people
fighting fit through boxing classes, using innovative techniques
to support local people with their mental health and wellbeing.
In particular, it’s great to see his brilliant ‘stay in work’
scheme.
This government is determined to help as many people as possible
stay healthy, get off benefits, and move into work. That’s why
we’ve just unveiled £795 million of new funding to provide more
mental health treatments nationwide and help those with mental
health conditions stay in or find work.
Former professional boxer, Frank Bruno, said:
I am honoured that the Frank Bruno Foundation received a visit
from . We are providing a unique
service to the mental health community in Northamptonshire and it
is having a really positive impact.
The minister was really interested in our work and I was keen to
hear how the government is looking to improve the future of
mental health care.
I was delighted the minister got into the boxing ring with me and
pledged to continue the fight against mental health challenges.
If there was somewhere like this foundation available when I was
ill it could have really helped, so we need to see more services
like this made available.
Mum of one Jo from Northampton, who has bipolar disorder, said:
This place is like a family and has really helped me. I came to
the foundation because I suffer from bipolar and coming here has
really helped with my confidence and self-esteem. I have used the
coping mechanisms I have learned here to help me in my life.
Deni first came to the foundation in May 2021 and is now a
full-time member of staff who works as a Mental Health
Development Officer.
Deni from Northampton, who suffered crippling anxiety attacks and
struggled to leave his home, said:
I was really lucky to come here and enrol in programmes – and I
now love helping other people. This is a safe place that tests
your boundaries but where you also feel comfortable.
With its additional funding, the government is boosting four key
programmes – NHS Talking Therapies, Individual Placement and
Support, Restart and Universal Support – to benefit up to 1.1
million people over the next five years and help those with
mental or physical health conditions stay in or find work.
NHS Talking Therapies provides evidence based psychological
therapies, including cognitive behavioural therapy, for treatment
of mild and moderate mental health conditions such as depression
and anxiety disorders.
The additional £795 million investment will also fund an
additional 100,000 Individual Placement and Support places over
five years, which will help people with severe mental illness
gain and retain paid employment.
