Sport in Mind is the brainchild of Neil Harris and its origins can be traced to the simple act of trying to help a childhood friend, who had become mentally unwell.

In 2009, Neil devised a physical activity programme to help aid his friend Jamie’s recovery.

Little did he realise this would inspire a charity which would go on to help thousands of people with mental health problems.

Back in 2009, Jamie was in a terrible place, a place he’d never been before in his life.

He was depressed, anxious about going outside, about socialising, about life.

He became isolated and disconnected from the world.

Although Jamie was really struggling mentally, he was reluctant to engage with traditional mental health services… like a lot of people.

Despite Jamie not being at all keen on sport or physical activity, Neil knew the positive impact being active can have on mental health and decided to design a physical activity programme to help his friend’s recovery.

Jamie was initially reluctant to engage, but with patient encouragement Neil persuaded him to take part in some gentle physical activity.