David Skaith and Andy Burnham ignited a friendly Roses rivalry in Scarborough to promote the role that Mayors are playing in supporting healthy communities.
The Mayors of York and North Yorkshire, and Greater Manchester took part in a friendly cricket match at Scarborough Cricket Club, with Mayor Skaith raising awareness of the upcoming Movement, Activity and Sport, and Men’s Mental Health Investment Programmes.
The Movement, Activity and Sport Investment Programme was recently allocated £2.75 million with the fund going live in October. It has been designed to look at ways of adding value to existing provision and better engage more marginalised communities in the benefits of and inclusivity of movement, activity and sport.
Prevention and early intervention activities will be enhanced, and funds will help deliver programmes that support participation for women and girls, rural isolation and disability sports and inclusion.
The Men’s Mental Health Investment Programme has been allocated £715,000 with the fund going live in November. It will fund a programme that seeks to address change within men’s mental health provision and find ways of tackling the challenging reality of poor mental health and suicide rates within some male dominated sectors.
Both initiatives are being supported by NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and wider Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire (who played a starring role in the Yorkshire victory) said: “As Mayors we have the ability to support people in our regions to live healthy and fulfilling lives.
“In York and North Yorkshire, through our focus on improving men’s mental health and getting more people moving, active and into sport, we’re doing just that. Over eight years Mayor Andy Burnham has embodied this approach, tackling homelessness and supporting people in Greater Manchester to ‘be well’.
“It’s great to welcome Andy to Scarborough for a friendly ‘war of the roses’ match and to highlight the importance of improving men’s mental health across York and North Yorkshire.”
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Events like today’s cricket match show the best of our regions – coming together, having fun, and proving that sport has the power to bring people closer. It’s also a great reminder of the importance of working together to improve health, wellbeing and opportunity for everyone in our communities.”
More than 75 attendees from local businesses also attended the afternoon’s York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub Summer Showcase.
Growth Hub specialists were on hand during the networking opportunity to advise on the programmes of support starting this summer, designed to help their businesses thrive.
Menfulness, a York men’s mental health charity, brought representation on the day to highlight the support that has recently been extended to Scarborough.
Jack Woodmans, Chief Executive Officer of Menfulness said: “We’re incredibly proud to be part of this special cricket match with Mayor David Skaith and Mayor Andy Burnham at Scarborough Cricket Club.
“At Menfulness, we believe in the power of connection, conversation and community and this event brings all three to life. We’re also thrilled to be expanding our Menfulness offering to Scarborough, enabling us to reach and support even more men across the Yorkshire region.”
Further information on the Men’s Mental Health Fund, and Movement, Activity and Sports Fund can be found at www.yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk