Cambridgeshire Golf Union
Cambridgeshire Welcomes 13 Newly Trained Mental Health Ambassadors
Cambridgeshire has strengthened its commitment to mental health support across the counties golf clubs, with 13 new Mental Health Trained Ambassadors completing training this week at St Neots Golf Club.
The two-day programme, delivered by Lianne Bowskill of Mental Health First Aid England, was praised for its positive atmosphere, strong engagement, and enthusiastic participation from delegates. Many involved described the experience as uplifting and energising.
The initiative follows the successful pilot scheme in Bedfordshire, where organisers encountered early hesitation from clubs and volunteers. With those lessons learned, the Cambridgeshire rollout faced none of the same obstacles.
The momentum has also sparked a wider conversation about recognising existing mental health qualifications. During the recruitment phase, it was discovered that St Ives Golf Club already had a member trained in mental health, opening the suggestion that clubs with certified individuals could appoint ambassadors without duplicating training.
Organiser, Steve Whitney feels this approach would reduce costs, improve coverage, and allow more clubs to participate quickly. With the ultimate goal of having a Mental Health Ambassador in every club, acknowledging equivalent qualifications could accelerate progress.
Looking ahead, Cambridgeshire currently has 20 affiliated clubs, 13 of which now have trained ambassadors. Training the remaining clubs requires additional financial planning, and refresher training will also be due in three years’ time. With new ambassadors to train each year and refreshers to organise, we are now looking at ways to roll this out over the next 2-3 years.
The growth in mental health representation reflects a broader cultural shift within the sport. As awareness and demand increase, we hope that every club in the County will ultimately have a dedicated ambassador to support wellbeing across the golfing community.
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