FGR puts football on repeat prescription after last season’s winning streak
Dale Vince OBE and Dr Simon Opher MP have announced the return of the ground-breaking Football on Prescription at Forest Green Rovers for the 2026/27 season, following a successful pilot that saw more than 30 people referred to attend matches.
The pioneering social-prescribing initiative offers live football as part of mental-health support, helping people experiencing low mood, loneliness, social isolation or other mental-health challenges to connect with others and their local community.
The initiative is believed to have been the first scheme of its kind in the UK, and potentially the world.
Working with more than a dozen GP surgeries across the Stroud area, Football on Prescription was developed by FGR Chairman Dale Vince and Dr Simon Opher MP around a shared belief that attending a football match can offer much more than simply watching the game.
Being part of a crowd, sharing an experience and feeling connected to a community can all contribute to wellbeing.
More than 30 referrals were made during last season’s pilot, with many participants saying they would like to attend another match.
While the pilot was initially aimed primarily at men, a number of women also took part, with participant feedback indicating improvements in mood and wellbeing.
The experience also highlighted how live football can complement more traditional approaches to mental-health support by providing an opportunity for connection, companionship and a sense of belonging.
Dr Simon Opher MP said: “As a GP for thirty years, I have witnessed first-hand the impact that effective social prescribing can have on improving mental health and overall wellbeing.
“I’m really pleased that participant testimonials from last season were so positive, and I’m confident we can take the learning from the pilot forward into this new season and continue to deliver meaningful outcomes for participants.”
FGR Chairman Dale Vince said: “Football is a positive and considerable social force. It brings people together, creates a sense of belonging, gives us shared endeavour - and it’s fun. At FGR last season, we saw the difference that this shared experience game can make for people struggling with their mental health.
“No surprise then that it’s back this season. Sometimes in our lives all of us need some simple human interaction, some connection, community and simply having somewhere to go and people to be around. Football fits that bill perfectly."
Feedback from participants in last season’s pilot highlighted the impact of attending a match and being part of the FGR community.
One female attendee said: “The atmosphere was fantastic. Chatting to the people sat next to us was lovely. The game was exciting with a last-minute goal making FGR the winners — it was crazy!”
Another female participant described the importance of connection and shared experiences: “Having the chance to be connected and hearing the cheers. Having a real goal and achieving something is so enjoyable.”
For some participants, a match also provided an opportunity to spend time with loved ones and take a temporary break from difficult circumstances.
One male attendee said: “It was a fine sunny afternoon. Over the years I've always enjoyed attending football matches. I was with one of my grandsons, who's an avid football fan and loves attending games. He's great company and, with the recent loss of my wife, it was a perfect opportunity to be out and about and, albeit for 90+ minutes, a chance — although not forgetting the circumstances as to why we were there — to take my mind and thoughts elsewhere, albeit briefly.”
Another male participant highlighted the sense of belonging he experienced: “Being part of a happy crowd of supporters who didn't know how depressed I had been. Also the kindness of staff and volunteers and the camaraderie of the crowd. And we won!”
Football on Prescription returns
Football on Prescription is now live for the 2026/27 season, operating in the same way as it did during last season’s pilot.
Anyone who discusses their mental health with their doctor at one of the participating GP surgeries in and around Stroud may be eligible to take part.
Patients can be referred through their surgery and attend a Forest Green Rovers match as part of their social-prescribing support.
