KICKING OFF MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK WITH TEAM MINTRIDGE’S AILEEN WHELAN & THE MAX HUNTER FUND IN LEICESTER
KICKING OFF MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK WITH TEAM MINTRIDGE’S AILEEN WHELAN & THE MAX HUNTER FUND IN LEICESTER
The Mintridge Foundation’s Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 Roadshow began on Friday 9th May as former Leicester City Football Captain & Mintridge Foundation Ambassador, Aileen Whelan made her way to The Herewoode Academy.
The programme was funded by the Max Hunter Fund, a vital fund within the Mintridge Foundation that goes towards keeping our much-loved friend Max’s fun, caring and sporting memory alive as well as changing perceptions and challenging stereotypes in the process. The Mintridge Foundation delivers mentoring programmes across the UK focussing on Max’s favourite sports and encouraging a new dialogue around how to look after our mental health just as we do our physical for young people across the UK.
In partnership with Allexton & New Parks Football Club, Herewoode students were also joined by Babington Academy & Caste Mead Academy players to showcase the grassroots pathways that are available to girls in Leicester. With the theme of 2025’s Mental Health Awareness Week being community, Aileen spoke about the power in her footballing community growing up and the benefits that this has. Aileen encouraged the girls to join a club like Allexton & New Parks Football Club to build a sense of belonging for their mental health. A recent University of Bath study led by Dr Haydn Morgan echoes this: New Report: Grassroots sports clubs give children belonging and strengthen communities. Local clubs like Allexton & New Parks FC can help improve educational attainment and reduce feelings of social isolation, something that we know Max will be incredibly pleased to see. During her presentation Aileen discussed how important mental health, as well as physical health, is. A lot of this centred around resilience and how often Aileen was told growing up that she simply wasn’t good enough. We think that her stellar WSL Career & International appearance might think differently though…
Following Aileen’s empowering presentation, it was time for some fun in the sun as everyone headed outside for a morning of coaching sessions with drills and tips to all the students.
After lunch, it was time for photos and questions before the students were split into 6 teams for a competitive tournament.
There was some incredible talent on show all day and we are very grateful to the staff and coaches at Allexton & New Parks FC and the Herewoode Academy for hosting the three groups to launch Mental Health Awareness week. Thank you to the extraordinary Aileen Whelan for all that she does to support the next generation!
To learn more about the Max Hunter Fund, you can visit our link just here: THE MINTRIDGE FOUNDATION: 28 Not Out - The Max Hunter Fund
About Us:
The Mintridge Foundation is a UK-wide charity dedicated to turbo-boosting young people's development and opportunities through the transformative power of sports. Our innovative programs and collaborations inspire, mentor, and guide the next generation to thrive.
