A pioneering project in Berwick is helping young men tackle mental health issues and transform their lives for the better – using the power of physical activity and movement. 

Rise is the North Easts’ leading health and wellbeing charity, transforming lives using the power of physical activity across Northumberland and Tyne and Wear.

One of the charity’s projects is in Berwick, where it works with men aged 16-30. 

Young people in the town face many challenges, including unemployment, poor health, relationship difficulties, debt, poverty, and substance misuse, coupled with isolation exacerbated by COVID-19. This has led to significant mental health issues in the town: 

• 43% constantly consider suicide 

• 76% have diagnosed mental health disorders 

• 81% have substance abuse issues 

• 67% are unemployed 

• 43% face significant debt 

Jaki Duffy is the key worker for the Rise project, providing a holistic, one-to-one support service for young men. 

Deacon’s story 

Deacon Sneddon is 29 years old and lives in Berwick. He explains: “I’d had social issues since quite a young age. I struggled with things like anxiety, depression. My living situation wasn’t great, my environment wasn’t great, I felt isolated. I’d moved away from a friend in the Seaton Valley area up to Berwick with my Dad and then COVID hit, which was just two years of complete isolation. 

“I needed to be more active and find solutions. I’d never filled in housing applications, I'd never filled in job applications.  

“That help was there when I needed it – I've improved in every aspect of my life. I refer to Jaki as the woman who saved my life. Absolutely amazing, cannot thank her enough.” 

Jaki adds: “Coming in, I could have scraped [Deacon] off the floor – he had no sense of self-worth and I think that had been destroyed with just the environment that he had been in. 

“I got him on an employment and wellbeing course, and they paid for transport which took away that barrier of getting him in from where he lived, and he secured a job out of it. Then a month after that he was offered a local authority flat. The smile on his face – immense! I’m really proud of how Deacon has turned it around. 

“Rise's work in Berwick addresses the physical and psychological aspects of wellbeing but also gives people practical skills to navigate life's challenges. This holistic approach contributes to stronger and more resilient mental health, enhancing young people's overall quality of life.   

“We work with people to improve their immediate health and wellbeing but also to improve their aspirations, motivation and employability prospects. This fosters confidence, improves mental health through building connections, and enhances wellbeing through physical activity.” 

Clare Morley, chief executive of Rise, said: “We all know that movement and physical activity are powerful tools for maintaining good mental health. But here at Rise, we’re passionate about the transformative effect that physical activity can have at a much broader level, transforming lives in the communities that need it most in the North East of England. 

“Jaki does amazing work in Berwick, working with partners in the town to address the inequalities that are faced by young men. It’s a strong example of how it’s possible to address a range of wider issues, including mental health, unemployment, and poverty, through the power of physical activity.”

Since May 2021 Rise has supported 69 young men to improve their lives. Recent evaluations found: 

• 67% improved confidence to make positive choices 

• 43% improved employment opportunities 

• 65% now engage in physical activity  

• 67% increased resilience/ability to cope  

• 63% have an action plan 

• 65% reduction in anti-social behaviour and violence 

• 100% improved their mental wellbeing

Rise’s work in Berwick is supported by: Sir James Knott Trust, London North Eastern Railway, Northumbria Police& Crime Commissioner’s Violence Reduction Unit and mental health charity Mind