Today (10th October) is World Mental Health Day. World Mental Health Day was first celebrated on 10th October 1992 and has been observed annually since then. It aims to raise awareness of the importance of good mental health through collaboration with different organisations and encourages action leading to lasting change. Within the boccia community we are aware of the positive impact the sport can have on our mental health. At World Boccia our focus is generally on elite athletes with physical disabilities who compete in classes BC1 to BC4, but we want to take this opportunity to look at a great example of how boccia has been used to support people with mental health difficulties.
The Loughborough Wellbeing Centre (based in Leicestershire in England) has offered groups and activities for nearly 10 years for adults from the local area who experience mental health problems. Their Chief Executive, Helen Carter, explained how the charity started introducing boccia when they met at a local leisure centre and saw the sets of balls. They then bought own when the sessions moved to a new premises because they saw how boccia became a sport that bought people together. The Loughborough Wellbeing Centre now offer boccia at their Monday Wellbeing Café, Wednesday Wellbeing Café, De-Stress Club (11-14 year olds), Veterans Wellbeing Hub, ManKind Meet Up and Sileby Wellbeing Hub. That can mean that some weeks boccia is being played for an incredible 10 hours plus!!
Within all the groups the Wellbeing Centre run, participants have a range of mental health conditions, with many also having physical health conditions, neurodiversity or even dementia. Session Leader (and now unofficial Head Boccia Coach!), Gareth Isaac, feels that boccia works so well at all the groups because it creates a “level playing field” and is “so simple and accessible” but “really exciting for all ages.” For those who are new to the Wellbeing Centre boccia is “a great icebreaker especially if participants have social anxiety. It takes the focus away from themself and onto the game.” It’s helped people engage in groups whereas without boccia they might have struggled.
At the ManKind Meet Up that Gareth runs, he highlights that it’s “great to see younger people and older people playing together and having a laugh.” He finds that the “older guys seem to be better and it’s a nice confidence boost for them.” Nevertheless, “the younger guys are always keen to play and always asking to play.” Particularly at the Sileby Wellbeing Hub, “some people come just for boccia.” After playing boccia Gareth “can see people being uplifted.”
Emma (from Emma Parry Fitness) who offers a range of physical activity sessions at the Wellbeing Centre added “I really enjoy including boccia in the sessions I run at the Wellbeing Centre. I love their team spirit, team tactics and friendly competitiveness and they all leave the session with a smile on their faces.”
Both Helen and Gareth also highlighted the benefits of competition: “because of the way the sport is, it’s great to have a bit of competition in a friendly way. If you are playing 6 ends there is always a chance of coming back even if you are losing by 5 points.” Gareth also feels that boccia “suits different personality types. You can do more aggressive shots and knock people out of the way without anyone getting physically hurt. Then there is also chance for other players to play gentle very controlled shots.”
Wellbeing Centre staff and participants enjoyed watching the boccia at Paris 2024 on TV. It “allowed people to see the tactical side and also different ways of throwing the ball.”
When asked about what advice they would give to other charities wanting to introduce boccia, Gareth said “it’s worth investing in a proper set of boccia balls as it makes the game so much better with the proper equipment. Learn the proper rules as they are there for a reason and makes it more fun.” He also said “be open minded about who you offer it to – I’ve expected certain people not to enjoy it and they have loved it!”
In conclusion, Helen says that boccia has “become a real part of what we do. It’s the game that keeps on giving!” I think all of us within the boccia community would agree with that!