The Problem:

Fivemiletown, a rural community in Northern Ireland, ranks among the top 15% nationwide with access to services deprivation, meaning residents struggle to find basic services like leisure facilities, GP surgeries, opticians and pharmacies. Heart disease causes nearly a quarter of all deaths in Northern Ireland and around 4,000 deaths each year – an average of 11 people each day. Men over the age of 40 are also especially vulnerable to heart disease due to factors such as physical inactivity, poor diet and mental health challenges. As the only football club in Fivemiletown, the charity was aware of the lack of physical activity and social engagement opportunities for men in the area and is running this project to better their heart health.

The Project:

Lifeline Football: Fit, Fuel and Flourish project focuses on re-engaging men over 40 in physical activity through social football. They will run both coaching sessions and recreational games each week for those who wish to become more active and reduce their risk of heart disease. Participants will have the chance to socialise and develop friendships through regular workshops including nutritional, mental health and cooking sessions. All participants will attend a first aid course, and two beneficiaries will also be given the opportunity to attend UEFA coaching courses, safeguarding training and mental health training so they can continue to coach projects similar to this one afterwards.

The Benefits:

This project aims to benefit a minimum of 50 people from the Fivemiletown community over the course of the 12-month programme. It aims to deliver lifelong skills and knowledge as well as increase social togetherness through a built-in buddy system. The impact of this project on the beneficiaries’ heart health will be measured by taking weight, blood pressure, resting heart rate and body composition measurements pre, mid and post-project. Lifeline Football: Fit, Fuel and Flourish aims to benefit more people, past this grant funding, who are at risk of heart disease by helping beneficiaries achieve their UEFA coaching awards and first aid training.