A Blackburn Rovers fan has revealed how joining 'Men in Sheds' has had a 'positive impact' on his life, to coincide with World Mental Health Day.

In the past two months, the group run by Blackburn Rovers Community Trust has helped more than 100 participants through various programmes and projects focused on mental well-being.

During this time, Men in Sheds has helped many different people, including Blackburn Rovers supporter Ross, who has been attending the sessions for more than five years.

Men in Sheds is run in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen Council, with the aim of supporting men in our community to discuss their mental health and develop new skills in a safe environment.

The group meet up on a weekly basis and have developed close friendships courtesy of the Men in Sheds programme.

Ross wanted to share his story on World Mental Health Health Day in the hope of inspiring others.

He said he has made new friends, gained confidence and attended group trips across the UK, including to Belfast.

He said: “I joined the Men in Sheds group to improve my mental health and see where it would take me.

“It has really helped. The programme has helped me get my first-ever job as a steward at Blackburn Rovers and build up my employability skills.

“I have enrolled on other Community Trust programmes such as the Community Ambassadors programme and they have helped me enormously.

"My confidence has been restored by meeting new people and supporting others too."

Ross has also visited BelfastSince joining Men in Sheds, Ross has seen a positive change in his mental well-being, and has now got a full-time job at a warehouse in Blackburn.

He added: “We have done some great things together at Men in Sheds, including maintaining a garden as a group, as a team building exercise, and we have also gone on an annual trip to Belfast to meet a like-minded group in Northern Ireland.

“It has had a really positive effect on my mental health, and I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for Men in Sheds."

Blackburn Rovers Community Trust inclusion manager, Ilyas Patel, added: “When Ross first came to Men in Sheds, within the first couple of weeks of Ross attending, we were launching the Community Ambassadors programme.

“The Community Ambassadors was a free 12-week accredited programme that was open to anyone over the age of 16 who wanted the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and become more involved in local life through working with others on projects that improve their neighbourhoods.

“I thought it would be good for Ross to be part of that. At first, he wasn’t too sure, but I told him he could walk away any time, but he completed the full 12-week programme.

“It was about confidence building and at that time he didn’t feel comfortable being around others.

"He was in a room with 30 others, but that is what built up his confidence, talking to others and doing group work.

“Supporting people now is one of his greatest qualities, and his mum is really proud of him for what he has achieved.

“We’ve got to a stage now where the guys will open up about their feelings and everyone checks in on each other, and that’s the beauty about this group.”

To find out more about Men in Sheds email Ilyas.Patel@brfctrust.co.uk.