York City Foundation Champions Mental Health for National Self-Care Week

York City Foundation has launched a major awareness push in support of National Self-Care Week (17–23 November 2025), using two weeks of digital content to highlight the mental health charities and organisations making an impact across the city.

York City Foundation has launched a major awareness push in support of National Self-Care Week (17–23 November 2025), using two weeks of digital content to highlight the mental health charities and organisations making an impact across the city.

National Self-Care Week, led annually by the Self-Care Forum, aims to embed the importance of looking after both mental and physical wellbeing across communities. This year’s theme, “Mind & Body,” places a particular spotlight on physical activity as a central pillar of self-care.

Over the past fortnight, the Foundation has been sharing information about local support services for young people, women and men, signposting fans and residents to resources designed to help improve mental health and wellbeing.

Foundation Manager Paula Stainton said the initiative has been a welcome opportunity to raise awareness:
“Self-Care Week has provided us the opportunity to showcase some of the incredible services available to support people’s mental health here in York. We are delighted to be sharing information about those organisations and some of their offers on our digital media accounts throughout last week and in the run up, as well as at the next men’s match.”

The Foundation also highlighted its ongoing partnership with key York employer Portakabin, which has supported several wellbeing-focused programmes over recent years. These include Boot The Blues, a weekly men’s mental-health football initiative, and BusinessBelles Self-Care Edit, monthly women’s wellbeing events.

York City Foundation’s efforts coincide with the Government’s newly announced Men’s Mental Health Strategy, as well as the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority’s similar commitment to funding men’s mental health services. The Foundation says its role in awareness-raising is more important than ever.

As part of the campaign, the Foundation will host a mental health marketplace ahead of the Minstermen’s home match against Aldershot on 29 November. A range of local charities — including Kyra Women’s Project, Andy Man’s Club, Menfulness, Serendipity Counselling York, and North Yorkshire Sport Welfare — will be present outside the main entrance to share information, speak with fans and promote the support available across the city.

The initiative aims to ensure that everyone attending the match knows where to turn for help, and that mental health support remains visible, accessible and community-led.