Welshpool Rugby Club is launching an innovative new community partnership with the Ponthafren, to promote and support mental wellbeing within the club and community.

It will include a walking rugby initiative as well as wellbeing workshops offered to club members, along with a ‘drop-in and chat’ service ran by committee member Donna Lewis at the club once a week, once Covid regulations allow.

The club will also proudly wear the Welshpool-based charity’s logo on its new kit.

Club Chairman, Dave Roberts, explained:

“We are passionate about supporting the mental wellbeing of our members as we come out of an incredibly challenging year. If just one of our members chats about their challenges, or our mini and junior players grow up in a culture that supports their mental wellbeing then we will be happy.

Ponthafren are a fantastic charity and they share our vision of supporting the people of Welshpool. They will support us in offering well-being workshops to our members. In addition to this, committee member Donna Lewis is undergoing several mental health training courses and will be on hand (via email, or our drop-in chat sessions) should a member of the club community need a friendly face to chat to.

Our walking rugby initiative will allow anyone in our community to enjoy the fresh air, an opportunity to socialise and a chance to engage in our great game, without the need for sprinting and tackling.

We want to make it abundantly clear that anyone can get involved in our game, and our game and club are here to support you.”

Julia Gorman, of Ponthafren, added:

“We are delighted to form a community partnership with Welshpool Rugby Club. We have recently moved premises into the Armoury in Welshpool and as such, with the extra space we want to promote physical activity into our services for the community’s health and wellbeing.

Working alongside the rugby club will help us achieve this as well as us supporting the club with raising knowledge of mental health and offering our services.”

Walking rugby will begin at Welshpool Rugby Club pitch, Maesydre, at 6pm on May 20. 

For further information please contact Donna at [email protected] or Dave at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on www.mywelshpool.co.uk