Strengthening Mental Wellbeing & Life Skills

Our Impact

1- 20% rise in pupils’ understanding of mental toughness tools

2- 6% average rise in wellbeing

The Context

1- The Office for National Statistics (ONS) uses the WEMWBS to track UK wellbeing; annual changes are typically under 1% at a national level. Anything above that is flagged as noteworthy.

2- Studies in schools and youth programmes using WEMWBS show interventions often achieve 1-3% improvements over several months (Youth Sport Trust, Sport England pilot data).

The NHS reports that 1 in 5 children aged 8-16 has a probable mental health disorder. Levels of anxiety and low mood have risen sharply post‑pandemic, particularly among disadvantaged groups.

Our mental toughness programme in schools has gone from strength to strength since launching in September 2023. Year two saw us pass 1,400 schools registered to deliver Unleash Your Drive in Schools, and the impacts have started to be seen. The programme is proving to be a powerful force in supporting young people’s mental health.  

Year 6 pupil Josh said: “So when you are stepping up, it’s quite nerve wracking, so you have to try and calm down and get your focus on. I’ve used the skills in a test in class. For 30 seconds you just need to calm down and get the question done. Breathing. Just clear your mind and try and answer the question or do the shot. We take a big breath in and then you exhale it in five seconds. So 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. I want to go to the golf club to try and get better and see where I can end up with golf.” 

Every school that completes the programme receives a summary of the results showing the pupils’ change in mental toughness understanding and overall mental wellbeing.

• 1,403 schools registered across GB&I 

• 700+ schools completed training and received equipment 

• 1,058 pupils completed pre and post measures of mental toughness and wellbeing 
  

OUR RESULTS INDICATE:

• Pupils showed a 20% increase in understanding about how to apply mental toughness skills 

• Pupils measured a 6% increase in overall mental wellbeing 

• Pupils showed a 93% increase in understanding of key golf skills (Grip, Aim, Stance, Posture) 

“Any increase, or simply maintaining wellbeing in today’s challenging world, is a meaningful success worth celebrating,” explains Dr John Perry, sports psychologist and mental toughness expert from the University of Limerick in Ireland. “Even a small improvement in a child’s wellbeing can have a lasting impact on their development, resilience, and mental health. The results from Unleash Your Drive are so impressive because they are founded on mental toughness, and we know that leaves a lasting impact, not just a temporary improvement in mental wellbeing. All of that means these youngsters are being better prepared for life.” 

“After playing in the golf programme, the children are much kinder to themselves,” explained Michelle Regan, the PSHE Lead at the school, “and they supported each other. Plus we’ve seen an improved ability to be ready to learn – they’re now implementing the tools in daily life. The reward is seeing that the children are happy and healthy, seeing that they’re successful in their learning, and seeing that they’re participating in a new sport.” 

You can read more about the inspiring journey of St James the Great here.