Tendring Community Assets Full Final Report

29 7.2 Adults 7.2.1 There are some challenging issues in Tendring with regard to mental wellbeing for all age groups. Tendring has the highest level of hospital stays for self-harm in Essex (notably very high at 289 vs. 157 Essex average) and the highest suicide level in Essex (again high at 16 vs. 9.6 England – in fact, it is the 5 th highest rate in England) - see Appendix A. Stakeholders report that there appears to be limited access to community based counselling for all age groups. 7.2.2 Many providers of the social activities are convinced of the mental health benefits that structured social activities can bring to all age groups, particularly in helping motivate and inspire people who may otherwise become socially isolated. Evidence suggests that social disconnection and loneliness in adults affects the physical health of those affected to the same degree as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and overall increased mortality of up to 26%. Mental health is also affected with an increased risk of depression and dementia in later life. 32 7.2.3 Recognising the need to improve people’s lives by helping them restore their self- belief , self-reliance, self-need and self-worth, SUMMIT (Tendring Mental Health Support), based in Clacton, provides a range of service to restore and maintain people’s mental and emotional wellbeing. Their client-centred work includes mindfulness and meditation, relaxation, art therapies, mutual support groups and advocacy. They maintain their independence, ensuring there is no conflict of interest, and treat their clients with honesty, dignity and respect. This enables people with mental health problems and learning disability to be supported in a culture of enablement, not dependency developing the skills and confidence and take back control over their lives. 32 Campaign to End Loneliness; Holt-Lustead 2015; Valtorta et al 2016; et al FC Clacton is a community football Club, based in Rush Green Road, Clacton run on a strictly not for profit basis to provide football and social opportunities to players, their families and supporters. They are proud to be an FA Charter Standard Community Club – the highest accolade The FA can award to non- league Clubs to recognise excellence in coaching and long term player development. They engage with all age groups and next season they expect to have around 500 players representing the club each week, with around 75 volunteers working behind the scenes. This will be in 33 teams, ranging from under 7s to Veterans, plus an under 6s development squad and a weekly FA Wildcats girls only training session. Of the 33 teams, 29 are youth teams (including 5 girls only teams) and the remaining 4 senior teams includes our Ladies squad. They are one of the largest football Clubs in Essex and one of the largest sports Clubs in Tendring. New coaches usually take on a team at u6s and ideally stay with them right through to u18s, moving up each year with the same team and building lasting trust and a close bond with their players and families that will often last long into adulthood. They encourage coaches to continue their professional development and over half have gone on to do the FA Level 2 or beyond. Some finding employment with these coaching qualifications and experience, and some setting up their own businesses to provide coaching in schools, holidays etc. Players also get involved with more than just playing. At 14 players can complete the Junior Football Leader course to assist with coaching. 4 of the Ladies team are undertaking their FA Level 1 to coach girls at the FA Wildcats sessions. At 14 plus players can take the FA basic referee course and several who have done so now referee the younger ages.