Published on: 9 October 2025
People with severe mental illness in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin (STW) are being offered sporting opportunities to support their recovery thanks to an innovative new partnership.
The Wellbeing, Belonging and Moving for Mental Health Project represents a collaborative effort to address the physical and mental health needs of adults living with severe mental illness (SMI).
Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) is working with Energize Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, Shropshire Council, Telford & Wrekin Council and Telford Mind to develop inclusive, safe and supportive environments for individuals to take part in a range of free physical activity sessions promoting physical health and mental wellbeing.
Supporting the NHS 10 Year Plan in its key ‘shift’ of moving care in to the community, the project follows the success of a scheme delivered by MPFT and Tennis Shropshire to support service users with SMI to get active.
Alongside tennis, sessions will be available across the county offering football, gentle exercise, and multi-sports.
Claire Parrish, MPFT Community Mental Health Service Manager explains: “The tennis sessions we delivered last year were a great success. They offered a fantastic opportunity for our service users to try a sport that they may not have had access to previously with no commitment or costs to them and in a no pressure environment. We saw service users improve their physical health, fitness and mental state.
“People with an SMI who are prescribed antipsychotic medication are likely to have a life expectancy of 15-20 years less than those who aren’t. They are prone to high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and cholesterol, cancer and liver disease, and we know from population health data that Shropshire and Telford have some of the highest incidence of deaths related to these. It’s therefore really important that local services come together to address this and support people with SMI to stay healthy. We are committed to improving the lives of our SMI population and are excited to be working with our project partners to reduce health inequalities.”
Michelle Pullen, Empowering Communities Manager at Energize STW said: “We’re really pleased to be part of this project. Our focus is on supporting communities who face the biggest barriers to getting active and making sure they have opportunities to take part. Being active is such a powerful tool — it helps our physical and mental health, and it’s also about fun, connection, and community. The providers we’re working with are very passionate about supporting this group, and it’s been such a positive, collaborative project for the benefit of everyone involved.”
Councillor Kelly Middleton, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Healthier Communities at Telford & Wrekin Council said: “Reducing health inequalities for people with severe mental illness is not just a health priority - it’s a moral imperative. By working in partnership together across sectors in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, we’re creating inclusive, supportive environments where individuals with SMI can improve their physical and mental wellbeing in the community. This project is about more than activity - it’s about belonging, empowerment, and giving people the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives.”
Councillor James Owen, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Housing at Shropshire Council added: "The council are excited to be part of this project, however it could not be delivered without the support from Telford & Wrekin Council, Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Energize and the project providers who are delivering sport and physical activity sessions across Shropshire. The benefits of being physically active are well documented so it's good to see this project is targeted at people with an SMI who may not have access to regular activity sessions."
Activity sessions are available now and will continue into 2026:
• Tennis – Thursday, 9.30 – 11am at Oakengates Leisure Centre, Telford
• Football – Tuesday, 10.30am – 12noon at AFC Telford United, SEAH Stadium and Monday, 12.00noon – 2pm, Shrewsbury Town Foundation, The Croud Meadow.
• Gentle exercise group – Wednesday, 2.30 – 4pm at Hadley Community Centre, Telford
• Multi-sports - Tuesday, 2 - 3.30pm at Harlescott Grange Community Hub, Shrewsbury
Registration is for patients who are 18+, considered to have an SMI (prescribed antipsychotic or mood stabilising medication) and registered with a GP in STW, via email: ActivitiesSMIPH