A groundbreaking initiative is set to make live football matches accessible via prescription to help alleviate symptoms of depression. Spearheaded by Labour MP and former GP Dr Simon Opher from Stroud, alongside Eco-tricity founder and Forest Green Rovers owner Dale Vince, the pilot program invites patients in Gloucestershire to attend National League games at Forest Green Rovers’ stadium.
Since acquiring Forest Green Rovers in 2010, Dale Vince has transformed the club into the world’s first vegan, carbon-neutral football club. The scheme forms part of Dr Opher’s broader approach to social prescribing—offering non-medical treatments like comedy, gardening, and now live football, as alternatives to antidepressants for patients with mild to moderate depression.
Dr Opher emphasizes that around 80% of those prescribed such activities commit to them, highlighting the essential role of social interaction in combating loneliness—a major contributor to poor mental health linked to risks comparable with smoking 20 cigarettes daily. “Watching football offers a sense of community,” he notes. “It’s about socializing, cheering on your team, and temporarily escaping your own worries.”
Reflecting on the rising trend of antidepressant prescriptions—an increase of 2.1% last year leading to 8.7 million users—Dr Opher expresses concerns about overreliance on medication when effective mental health support remains limited. “For mild to moderate cases, tablets are often prescribed due to lack of alternatives, but this doesn’t always help,” he says.
The trial involves a dozen GP surgeries near Forest Green’s The New Lawn stadium in Nailsworth. Patients will receive free tickets donated by the club, starting with the match against Yeovil Town on August 16, running through the full season. While the outcome of matches cannot guarantee mood improvement, the opportunity to connect with others through sport holds promise.
Dale Vince believes football’s power to foster community could be extended nationwide. “Many men don’t openly share their struggles, leading to loneliness and isolation,” he explains. “My own experiences of feeling down inspired me to create this opportunity. Forest Green has been transformative for me, and I’m eager to share that impact.”
Dr Opher’s initiative builds on decades of clinical experience observing the limitations of antidepressants alone. “Many patients showed no improvement despite medication,” he recalls. “Introducing activities that encourage social engagement and new behaviors has proven transformative for many, with patients eventually needing fewer consultations.”
The pilot project aims to demonstrate how integrating sport into social prescribing can offer a meaningful, community-focused complement to traditional mental health treatments.