Mental Health Awareness week at Motorsport UK
Here at Motorsport UK, we understand just how important the physical and mental wellbeing of our community is, so that everyone enjoys motorsport in a safe, fun and enjoyable way.
Mental health and wellbeing refer to how a person thinks, feels and manages their life experiences and any challenges. We recognise that taking care of mental health is as important as maintaining good physical health. In motorsport, it is not just the safety measures of our vehicles or equipment and the PPE worn, it is crucial that the mental health and wellbeing of anyone competing or involved in our sport is considered too.
Everyone involved in motorsport has a part to play in supporting the enjoyment and safety of its events, as well as looking after their own wellbeing and wellbeing of others, so that the benefits of our sport can be enjoyed by all.
Motorsport UK supports Every Mind Matters – the Public Health England’s (PHE) mental health campaign launched in partnership with the NHS. The government-backed campaign is designed to show the steps people can take to be better prepared for life’s ups and downs. It offers an online platform, that allows users to create a personalised action plan recommending a set of self-care actions to deal with stress, boost mood, improve sleep and feel in control.
It is for this very reason that we have a dedicated and experienced Safeguarding team.
Vickie Lewis, Head of Safeguarding explains more about aspects of what the team do, “Motorsport is a fantastic sport for all to be involved in and can have a positive effect on your wellbeing. Participation in sport can reduce stress, improve mood, foster emotional well-being through the physical activity but also the social interaction. However, you may find there are some situations which have a negative impact on your wellbeing. Our safeguarding team provide signposting and support to our members when they are experiencing poor mental health and wellbeing.”
For our community and affiliated clubs, we offer advice and support for young adults who are new to the sport, for parents to ensure that their children are kept safe while competing or training and for our adult members of the community whether a competitor, official or volunteer.
More information about Safeguarding and Welfare and the role that it plays at Motorsport UK can be found here.