The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), in partnership with the Jac Lewis Foundation and The Royal Foundation, has launched a new mental health hub at Principality Stadium. The hub is designed to provide a preventative wellbeing and mental health service to local rugby clubs and the wider community.
The new initiative was launched with a visit from the WRU’s Patron, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, on World Suicide Prevention Day.
Operating from the stadium, the hub will offer weekly drop-in sessions facilitated by qualified counsellors, giving attendees access to professional help and support for mental health difficulties. The service is an expansion of the successful model the Jac Lewis Foundation already runs at other sporting venues, including Swansea City Football Club.
This initiative is an extension of the WRU’s comprehensive player welfare strategy, which provides guidance and support throughout the community game. The hub will complement existing WRU welfare resources, such as the ‘Rugby Safe’ training programme and safeguarding policies available via the WRU website.
During the launch event, The Prince of Wales met with Men’s Head Coach Steve Tandy and Wales International Jac Morgan to discuss the role of sport in promoting positive mental health.
Wales International and British & Irish Lion, Jac Morgan said:
“It was great to be here today for the Jac Lewis Foundation, which is expanding into Cardiff. They’ll be holding drop-in sessions weekly at the Principality Stadium with support from both the WRU and the Royal Foundation.”
“The Jac Lewis Foundation was set up in Ammanford, which is where I went to school. So it’s a charity that I’ve been aware of and known for a number of years, since it’s been up and running.”
“There’s a lot of volunteers that I know from that charity who were here today. It’s been great hearing the different activities and workshops they do during their drop-in sessions and how much support they’ve given a number of people in the community to help them with their mental health.”
The partnership with The Royal Foundation will enable the hub to operate for one day per week over a three-year period, covering costs for staff and counselling services.
The first drop-in session at the Principality Stadium hub will take place next week on Wednesday, 17th September. The service is free and available to members of the rugby community and the public seeking support.