£3 million to help keep York and North Yorkshire mentally and physically well

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority has agreed two programmes worth over £3 million to support healthy and thriving communities.

Today (18 July), the Combined Authority signed off the Movement, Activity and Sport Investment Programme and Men’s Mental Health Investment Programme at a meeting. The two programmes will work to improve the mental and physical health of everyone in the region, addressing the unique challenges and barriers faced by residents in York and North Yorkshire.

The Movement, Activity and Sport Investment Programme has been allocated £2.75 million. It will look at ways to join and add value to existing provision and better engage more marginalised communities in the benefits of and inclusivity of movement, activity and sport. Prevention and early intervention activities will be enhanced, and funds will help deliver programmes that support participation for women and girls, rural isolation and disability sports and inclusion.

The Men’s Mental Health Investment Programme has been allocated £715,000. This will fund a programme that seeks to address change within men’s mental health provision, to tackle the challenging reality of poor mental health and suicide rates within some male dominated sectors. A mapping exercise will identify what help is already available, and a workplace pilot within the Combined Authority, will support the design of programmes that can help employers to understand mental health in male dominated and isolated professions and better understand how to engage their workforces. The programme will also seek to address providers of men’s health provision, driving change in services to better meet the needs of men.

David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire said: “Suicide is a leading cause of death in men under 50 – it’s a national tragedy and it’s something personal for me. After losing my dad, I struggled with my mental health and it took opening up, socialising and getting back into sport to start feeling better again.

 

“That’s why it’s so important to invest £3 million into these two programmes to improve our physical and our mental health.

 

“By taking a lead, we can directly tackle rural isolation and health inequalities – issues that York and North Yorkshire particularly struggles with.

 

“We will do this by tackling the financial barriers to movement, activity and sport while improving mental health support in male-dominated and isolated jobs, like farming, our blue light services and construction.

 

“What is good for our mental and physical health is also good for our economy. This investment will ensure we keep more people in their jobs and reduce healthcare costs, while ensuring that nobody faces these challenges alone.”

These programmes have been formulated through consultation with industry leaders and experts on the Sports Steering Group and Men’s Mental Health Taskforce.

David Watson, Chief Executive of North Yorkshire Sport, and Chair of the Sports Steering Group, said, “Low levels of activity and sport cause many issues. 30% of our adult population are inactive, we have more over 65-year-olds than the national average, and around 60% of adults are overweight or obese.

 

“By having discussions and acting, we can really get to the bottom of how we weave activity into our decision making, and the daily lives of everyone in our region. Helping us age healthily, have less dependence on health and social care services, and improve issues of health inequality.”

Paul Galdas, Professor of Men’s Health at York University and Chair of the Men’s Mental Health Taskforce said, “This isn’t just about raising awareness for men’s mental health or encouraging men to talk. It’s about meeting men where they are, adapting our services to fit the unique needs of men in our area, and ensuring that every man, from urban to rural areas can feel the benefit. By improving men’s mental health, we improve the lives of individuals, their loved ones, entire communities, and our economy.”

Lisa Nandy MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said: “Sport is one of the most powerful ways we can bring people together and tackle deep inequalities in our country.

 

“This fund shows what happens when bold local leadership meets a government serious about change. Mayor David Skaith is backing practical, community-led solutions that will tackle health inequalities, reduce crime, and restore pride in place.

 

“When we invest in sport, we’re not just building facilities, we’re building stronger, fairer communities where everyone has the chance to thrive.”

Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care said: “Every day, men across England are dying early from preventable causes. Men are hit harder by a range of conditions, while tragically suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50. That’s why this new initiative from the Mayor is so important and will help tackle the problem head on.

 

“By working with employers in the area including the military, blue light services, and farming, Mayor David Skaith is making sure York and North Yorkshire will be a trailblazer for supporting interventions to improve men’s mental health.

 

“Through its Plan for Change, the government and York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority will work together to fix the NHS and get a grip on the stark health inequalities that exist across the county. With a clearer, more tailored approach for both men and women, we’ll make sure everyone’s health needs are met better.”