Foxes Stars Support Bradgate Mental Health Unit

Four of Leicestershire’s One Day Cup-winning quartet offered their advice on mental wellbeing during a trip to Glenfield Hospital last week.

Club captain Lewis Hill, Sam Evans, Josh Hull, and Louis Kimber spoke to patients at the Bradgate Mental Health Unit about the Foxes’ trophy-winning 50-over campaign, as well as the pressures that came with the occasion and the mental challenges of being of a professional cricketer in general.

Hull detailed his mindset during a nerve-wracking final over, where he successfully defended eight runs to clinch the trophy, while Evans spoke about handling mentally testing times and the importance of assembling a strong support network.

The group, who meet weekly, then tested their cricket skills with a small pick-up game alongside the Foxes stars “ before the session concluded with autographs and a signed shirt presentation.

Leicestershire CCC captain, Lewis Hill, said: “Talking about mental health is majorly important in modern society. We’re always keen to get out into the community and meet different people who can benefit from opening up whilst discussing cricket.

“As a Club, we have a platform to help spark those crucial conversations, and we’ve been incredibly fortunate in recent months to be able to give back to programmes across Leicestershire.”

Mia Foulkes, Activity Co-Ordinator at the Bradgate Mental Health Unit, said: “We have patients from all different types of cultures and backgrounds, but we’ve found cricket to be the perfect common ground for the group.

“A lot of our patients are huge cricket fans, so it was hugely beneficial for them to be able to chat, as well as pick up a bat and ball together with Leicestershire’s players.”

The programme targets people with acute mental health difficulties who are experiencing an episode of crisis which is unable to be managed at home, and provides weekly physical and social activities to promote recovery.

The visit follows the Club’s work with Menphys and Loros over the winter months. To read more about Leicestershire CCC’s work in the community, click HERE.