COPING THROUGH FOOTBALL, a mental health project based in Waltham Forest and delivered by LOCSP beat stiff competition to win Best Sport, Physical Activity and Health project in London at the Pro Active London Awards last week.
The awards which took place at the Brit Oval were organised to recognise the outstanding achievements of the unsung heroes of community sport. They are the only awards to celebrate community sport on a London wide scale.
The event was attended by over 200 members of sports clubs, community organisations and charities from London's 33 boroughs as well as representatives from the five Pro Active Partnerships. The awards were presented by Derek Redmond, who attained gold medals at European, Commonwealth and World Championship as a 400m sprinter.
Coping Through Football was up against two other short listed projects. A special judging panel of experts was set up to judge the awards.
Barbara Armstrong from North East London Foundation Trust nominated London Playing Fields Foundation for the award. She said "I am delighted that LPFF has been recognised for the outstanding work it has done in the borough through the delivery of Coping Through Football. The project has provided a valued service for our clients and I look forward to it becoming part of mainstream services."
Alex Welsh, Chief Executive of the London Playing Fields Foundation said "Coping Through Football demonstrates how protecting playing fields can improve lives by using the power of sport to help long term mentally ill adults regain their self esteem, confidence and self worth. The project also illustrates the importance of working in partnership to overcome barriers to participation. In this regard the LPFF is extremely grateful for the support it has received from North East London Foundation Trust and Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme."
Matt Howard-Jones, Coping Through Football Project Co-ordinator, was there on the evening to accept the award from Derek Redmond. He said "It's great to get recognition for this project which really makes a difference to people's lives."
