Impactivity: Talking Without Limits - The Beginning!
Good Afternoon Everyone! Welcome to the first ever blog for Impactivity: Talking Without Limits. This is our way of welcoming you to the company and letting you know what we have been up to over the last couple of months! We hope you enjoy.
Time to make an IMPACT:
In December of 2020, the founder of Impactivity: Talking Without Limits; Andy Ryley was diagnosed with depression. It was at this moment Andy decided to make this a defining moment in his life and make a change in other peoples. The stigma surrounding male mental health had prevented him from opening up about his problems to a point it was nearly to late and this was something he did not want to see happening to other people.
This is where the concept of Impactivity was born. Using Andy's passion of sports coaching and physical activity to promote positive conversation surrounding mental health. This led to the creation of two programmes (Big Men Can Talk and Everybody Can Talk).
Big Men Can Talk is the program that inspired the opening of Impactivity - Getting a group of like minded men together to complete physical challenges as a team and sports classes to make natural friendships which would hopefully give participants the confidence to have the tougher conversations.
This is supported by the Everybody Can Talk program which see's Andy go into schools, business and sports teams to give a presentation telling participants his story and using teambuilding exercises to encourage positive communication and offer advice on what support is available for anyone struggling with their mental health.
What we have been getting up to:
Time has flew by since the opening of Impactivity: Talking Without Limits and we have been working hard behind the scenes to ensure our sessions are fun, informative and safe for all who take part. Firstly, Andy has renewed qualifications in first aid, Covid safety and had his DBS cleared meaning Impactivity can now deliver in schools.
In terms of programs a total of 12 men have signed up to climb Mount Snowdon in Wales for the first ever Big Men Can Talk Challenge which is supporting Impactivity programs and CALM charity. The first aim is to raise awareness of the benefits that physical activity can have but also that men can get together and be confident in opening up to their friends, family and team mates.
Elsewhere, Andy has also just taken part in the Still Parents podcast in association with The Lily Mae Foundation talking about the benefits sport can have on mental health and how it can provide the ice breakers for the tough conversation. If you would like to listen to the podcast search for the Still Parents podcast on Spotify or Apple Play. Alternatively, the live video is on the Impactivity: Talking Without Limits Facebook page.
It's been an exciting couple of months and there is plenty more to come so keep your eyes peeled and if any of our programs appeal to you please don't hesitate to get in touch!
Yours in coaching,
Andy Ryley
Founder of Impactivity: Talking Without Limits