ESA member Team GB has joined up with its Official Charity Partner British Red Cross to celebrate kindness during Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs from 18-24 May.
Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, the official theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is ‘kindness’.
‘Kindness is What Makes Us’ features a host of Team GB athletes from nine summer and winter sports reciting an emotive poem, highlighting the importance of kindness to ourselves and others to support our mental health, especially within the current climate.
The athletes, who between them amass 12 Olympic medals, include: Gabby Adcock (badminton), Becky Downie (gymnastics), Cheavon Clarke (boxing), Liam Heath (canoeing), Tom Mitchell (rugby sevens), Lutalo Muhammad (taekwondo), Helen Richardson-Walsh MBE (hockey), Vicky Thornely (rowing), Beth Tweddle MBE (gymnastics) and Lizzy Yarnold (skeleton).
Presented alongside the Olympians is a series of images that illustrate people within their communities supporting the British Red Cross during the coronavirus outbreak through simple acts of kindness. Through their ‘Kindness Will Keep Us Together’ campaign, people all over the country are stepping forward to help others in their hour of need, and the power of kindness has never been more relevant.
The British Red Cross has set up a free coronavirus support line for people who are staying home and finding it difficult to access food and medication, or feeling lonely or worried, during these uncertain times.
Kindness is What Makes Us is a build on Team GB’s overarching marketing campaign for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, ‘This is What Makes Us’.
The campaign is designed to bring the nation together and celebrates stories of overcoming the odds, courage, diversity and success that belong to the athletes who will represent Team GB next summer after it was recently announced that the Games would be postponed to 23 July – 8 August 2021 due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.
Dr Sarah Davidson, Head of Psychosocial and Mental Health, British Red Cross, said:
“As lockdown continues, we know that some people are finding it challenging. Everyone needs a listening ear and someone to talk to at one stage or another. We want the public to know that if they need to talk, we’re here to listen.
“For 150 years, the British Red Cross has helped the nation through its darkest days and coronavirus is no exception. We are focussed on supporting the most vulnerable people through this crisis and if you’re feeling lonely or worried, or staying home and finding it difficult to access food or medication, we can provide support. Because whilst this virus may keep us apart, kindness will keep us together.”
Olympic medallist, Beth Tweddle MBE, added:
“Mental health awareness is such an important topic, not just from the point of view of being a professional athlete, but for every single one of us.
“During these times of uncertainty we must recognise the unique challenges that everyone is facing, and small acts of kindness can go a long way. Whether it be checking in with your teammates, your coach, friends or family, it costs nothing to be kind, so let’s make sure we’re all doing our bit to look out for each other.”
If you or someone you know needs help, call the free Red Cross coronavirus support line on 0808 196 3651 to speak to a friendly British Red Cross volunteer. For more information visit redcross.org.uk
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British Red Cross support line:
The free and confidential British Red Cross coronavirus support line number is 0808 196 3651 and is open daily from 10am to 6pm.
British Red Cross volunteers from their psychosocial and mental health team will be able to provide both practical and emotional support and connect people with local support in their area.
The support line will provide support for people who may not be receiving help from anywhere else, and who are at risk of further health and well-being issues as a result of isolation.
About the BOA:
The British Olympic Association (BOA) is the National Olympic Committee for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Its mission is to develop, promote and protect the Olympic Movement in our territory in accordance with the Olympic Charter. The BOA achieves this through:
- Working in partnership with our members and key stakeholders to deliver world-leading services and support to enable British athletes to reach their full potential at the Olympic Games, Olympic Winter Games and other IOC-sanctioned events
- Working in partnership with our members and key stakeholders to provide athletes with relevant support on the journey to, during and following their Olympic careers
- Engaging people throughout the United Kingdom to pursue their very own goals and dreams through the Olympic Values and the example of Team GB Olympians
- Being the independent voice of Olympic Sport and collaborating with our members and other sport stakeholders, both domestically and internationally, to support the continued growth and overall health of the Olympic Movement in the UK
For further information, please visit TeamGB.com or contact:
Charlotte Harwood, Team TB Communications Team
charlotte.harwood@teamgb.com +44 7502 297632