A Reading based charity has launched a million-pound regional project with the help of two iconic tennis players.

Sport in Mind, an independent mental health charity formed in Caversham (unaffiliated to Mind), has launched a new project that will use sport to help improve the health and wellbeing of local people experiencing mental health problems.

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The charity was joined by former British No 1 tennis ace, Tim Henman and current No 1 British wheelchair tennis player Lucy Shuker to launch the project last month.

Its aim is to provide thousands of people experiencing mental health problems the opportunity to engage in sport and physical activity groups in a supported environment to help aid recovery.

Neil Harris, Sport in Mind’s founder, said: “We’re all incredibly excited to get this project up and running and using sport to help combat isolation and improve the lives of local people experiencing mental health problems.”

Sport England has funded £830,000 of the venture which will see the charity working in partnership with NHS trusts across the South East and Dorset.

The £1.5 million project will also provide services in inpatient care to help people get active when they are most unwell.

Participants can take part in a wide range of activities such as football, badminton, yoga, table tennis and tennis.

So far more than 10,000 people have been supported by the charity and has recently been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services, the highest award a charity can receive.