A football project set up to help people dealing with mental health issues has celebrated 10 years of success.

Coping Through Football uses sport the improve participants’ physical health, self-esteem, social skills and reduce their reliance on tobacco, alcohol and drugs.

The project is a joint partnership between Leyton Orient Trust, London Playing Fields and North East London Foundation Trust and delivered in Waltham Forest and surrounding boroughs.

At a ceremony at Webley Stadium on Wednesday, April 18, the Football Association praised the project for helping people get their lives back on track.

Last year, 27 participants completed education courses, 16 entered full or part-time employment and three undertook volunteering roles.

Alex Welsh, chief executive of London Playing Fields Foundation said: “The success of Coping Through Football highlights the importance of having a multi-agency approach in transforming and improving community mental health services.

“The thing that people experiencing mental health issues want more than anything, is to get their old lives back and Coping Through Football has shown how this can be achieved.”