CPSL Mind supports ‘Bright Horizons’ café launch

A partnership between Cambridge United Foundation and Cambridge Charity Fund Raisers (CCFR) has seen the launch of the new community café, which offers a safe space for people in the community to connect and seek mental health support. CPSL Mind’s Head of Services (Community and Prevention) Chloe Humphrey, along with Good Life facilitator Matt Wright and CPSL Mind’s Communications and Engagement Manager Olivia Hubbard, headed down to speak to attendees.

The new drop-in café shares the same values and mission as CPSL Mind’s Good Mood Cafes across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire – to connect with like-minded individuals and to share interests in a welcoming and safe environment. Just like CPSL Mind’s Good Mood Cafes, there is no pressure to stay for the whole session time. This new informal programme will be an opportunity for members of the local community to gather together at the home of the U’s and have vital time to talk to one other. This will be a chance to meet new people, to chat about the latest action on the pitch, the weather or anything else that is on their mind.

Sessions will take place on the second Wednesday of each month in the hospitality suites at The Cledara Abbey Stadium. Refreshments will be provided thanks to the generous support of CCFR .

Supporting local people

The need for drop-in and local mental health support groups has never been greater, with 1 in 4 of us said to experience a mental health challenge in any given year. During 2023/2024, CPSL Mind supported more than 6,000 local people.

Chair of the Foundation, Godric Smith CBE opened the café with an introductory speech, followed by Cambridge United’s Stadium Manager and Head Groundsman Ian Darler, and Simon Wall – the Community Engagement Manager for the Foundation, who will be running the café.

CPSL Mind’s Head of Services (Community and Prevention) Chloe Humphrey spoke to Sky Sports Football at the event and shared the charity’s support for new café and praised CPSL Mind fundraiser Ian Darler for his dedication to raise awareness of mental health. Ian walked an impressive 700 miles in support of CPSL Mind in 2024.

Ian also took on ‘The Big Fish Off’ event, to raise vital funds to help us to support, develop, and grow our services.

The driving force behind Ian’s fundraising walk, and wishing to support CPSL Mind, is his own previous battles with mental health challenges. “Having personally had depression and PTSD I appreciate how important it is to get help and support and to be able to talk to people about how you are feeling,” Ian explained.

Reflecting on his journey, Ian told attendees at the launch event, “When I look back at my 46 years at this football club, I’ve been so privileged to have won just about any award, whether it be ‘Groundsman of The Year’, ‘Life Achievement Award at Cambridge Evening News’, or even winning the ‘Queens Honour’. But let me tell you, nothing comes close to someone coming up to me and saying, ‘You helped to save my life.’

“When you’re in crisis, you can’t wait a minute. The fact we are doing what we are doing, and the Cambridge United Foundation has been kind enough to support me and that there are so many people involved means a lot.”

Commenting on the partnership with CPSL Mind, Ian Darler said, “Over the past few years, I’ve worked with CPSL Mind and for those of you who don’t know, CPSL Mind has been legendary in supporting people in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire for years. We are proud to have them on board with us.”

CPSL Mind’s Head of Services (Community and Prevention) Chloe Humphrey said, “Thank you to the Cambridge United Foundation for inviting us to the launch and huge congratulations on your new initiative. Ian has been a real trailblazer in terms of what he has done at the launch, so many people have turned up. For us as a charity at CPSL Mind, Ian has fundraised so much for us, all it takes is for someone with a passion to make a difference.”

Adding. “I think football is the perfect place to be able to support people because you are capturing a group of people who maybe wouldn’t go to their local good mood café, or they wouldn’t reach out to their local mental health services.”

Community connections

Good Life Facilitator, Matt Wright, who supports people in the community at Good Mood Cafes in Cambridgeshire, took the time to speak to attendees and started those really important conversations.

CSPL Mind Good Life Facilitator Matt Wright

Reflecting on his experience, Matt said, “I thoroughly enjoyed attending the launch of the Bright Horizons Café, days in the community like today are the reason I do what I do – supporting people in my local community who experience mental health challenges. Having the chance to work with so many great people and build connections is crucial to our work at CPSL Mind. I am looking forward to supporting Cambridge United Foundation in this new initiative and hope to offer my support in the coming months. I would like to signpost people to the CPSL Mind website to explore our Good Mood Cafes, which run on a weekly basis and at different venues. By working together collaboratively with partners and the wider community, we can ensure that no one gets left behind, and everyone has access to vital services when they need them.”

Sponsors of the event – Tesco, TA Construction Ltd, DC Carpets, Baxter Storey, Rocket Branding, and Camclad were all in attendance, as well as special guests Luke Chadwick and John Taylor, and a number of local and national TV networks who captured the event.

‘Talking has made a massive difference’

Fellow Cambridge United legend Luke Chadwick, who has publicly spoken on his mental health struggles, most notably during his spell at Manchester United, spoke to CPSL Mind’s Communications and Engagement Manager, Olivia Hubbard at the event.

Left to right: Olivia Hubbard, Chloe Humphrey, Luke Chadwick

Luke said, “Cambridge United Football Club is the reason that I was lucky enough to have a career in professional football. I was here as a seven-year-old boy and fell in love watching the game. I’ve got so much gratitude to this club. Football has got a fantastic way of bringing people together, community is what football clubs are. Football is the connection that brings people together.

Luke continues, “I know the work that you do at CPSL Mind is all about connecting people, giving people the time to talk about their problems, it might be a conversation about how the game went last night but then it turns into: ‘How are you feeling? and ‘How are you?’ I think having those conversations are so beneficial to getting things off your chest and football is a great way to do that.

“Not every football club has an individual like Ian Darler who has brought this together working with the Cambridge United Foundation but I’m sure there are a number of initiatives across the UK – the more that can be done, the better. When you hear yourself talking, it helps to clarify things in your own mind, helps you understand your own thought process. I think what’s happening here is absolutely brilliant.”

Reflecting on his own mental health challenges. Luke said, “Throughout my life, I have gone through challenges. My biggest challenge as a young man growing up was not being emotionally intelligent enough or understanding why I was feeling like that, never having the vulnerability to talk about it. In my mind, saying that I was struggling was ‘weak’ but as a young man back then, that was what people thought. I think being comfortable to talk about my challenges has made a massive difference in my life and really improved my mental health.

“It’s not always easy to talk, but having a space helps. I would encourage people to visit the café. The drop-in nature helps because you don’t have to stay for the whole time. It makes it more relaxed and available for people if they choose to.”

The Bright Horizons Café runs on the second Wednesday of each month between 2-4pm. The next session will be held on 12 March – all are welcome to join. Launch of Bright Horizons Café – Cambridge United Foundation

Our weekly Good Mood Cafes provide an opportunity to meet new people to share interests, skills and wellbeing tips in an informal space to help boost your mood. Find your local session today: Good Mood Cafes | CPSL Mind