Help and support for Mental Wellbeing, Gambling Harms, Domestic Abuse, Community Safety, Alcohol, Drugs and Financial pressures during the tournament.
If you are in immediate danger:
- Call 999 – If you cannot speak, press 55 when prompted
For further urgent support services, you can contact:
- NHS 111
- Samaritans 116 123
Mental Health and Wellbeing
The FIFA World Cup is one of the biggest sporting events in the world, bringing people together through a shared love of football. For many, it can have a positive impact on wellbeing by creating a sense of connection, community and excitement, whether watching with friends and family, attending events, or joining conversations online. It can also provide something to look forward to and a welcome break from everyday stress.
At the same time, major tournaments can also affect stress levels, sleep, mood and emotional wellbeing. The emotional highs and lows of supporting a team, changes to routine, financial pressures, alcohol use, online abuse, or feelings of isolation can sometimes leave people feeling overwhelmed, anxious or low.
It’s important to enjoy the tournament in a way that works for you. Taking breaks, maintaining healthy routines, and checking in on yourself and others can help support wellbeing throughout the competition. If you or someone you know is struggling, support and advice are available through local mental health and wellbeing services.
Looking After Your Wellbeing
- Take breaks from matches and social media
- Keep a healthy sleep routine
- Stay connected with supportive people
- Reach out early if things feel overwhelming
Local Service
BeWell BwD
Blackburn with Darwen’s local health and wellbeing platform, providing residents with information, advice and signposting to local support services.
The website includes mental health support, NHS Talking Therapies, crisis help, wellbeing resources, community activities and self-referral services, helping people find the right support for themselves or someone they care about.
Physical Health and Wellbeing
The World Cup can often lead to changes in daily routines, with late-night matches, increased screen time, eating out more regularly, reduced sleep and lower levels of physical activity. Pubs and venues may also stay open later during the tournament, which can sometimes lead to increased alcohol consumption and unhealthy habits over a short period of time. Busy schedules, emotional highs and lows, and long periods spent indoors watching matches can all affect physical and mental wellbeing during the tournament.
At the same time, major sporting events can also inspire people to become more active, reconnect with sport and take positive steps towards improving their health and fitness. Whether it is going for a walk, playing football with friends, joining a local activity group or building healthier daily routines, the tournament can be a good opportunity to focus on physical wellbeing.
Looking after your physical wellbeing during the World Cup is important for maintaining energy levels, sleep, mood and overall health. Small steps such as staying active, getting enough rest, eating well, staying hydrated and taking breaks from screens can make a positive difference throughout the tournament period. Physical health and mental wellbeing are closely linked, and maintaining healthy routines can help support both.
Refresh BwD
The Health & Wellbeing Team provides a range of support services to help Blackburn with Darwen residents improve their physical and mental wellbeing. Services include exercise referral, weight management, falls prevention, health coaching, community activities, and wellbeing advice tailored to individual needs.
Find out more about the service and available support by contacting
Contact:
- 01254 682037
- wellbeing@blackburn.gov.uk
Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or background. It can take many forms, including physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, financial or controlling behaviour, and can have a serious impact on health, wellbeing and relationships.
Major sporting events and periods of increased stress or alcohol use can sometimes increase tensions at home. It is important to remember that abuse is never acceptable, and support is available for anyone experiencing it, worried about someone else, or seeking advice. You do not have to face it alone.
Abuse Can Take Many Forms
Abuse is not only physical. It can include:
- Emotional abuse
- Mental or psychological abuse
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Financial abuse
- Cultural abuse
Abuse can happen:
- Inside or outside of the home
- Over the phone, online, or through social media
- In any relationship or family
- After a relationship has ended
- Through threatening behaviour or stalking
Local Services
The Wish Centre
The Wish Centre provides support for individuals and families affected by domestic abuse and gender-based violence. The service offers practical and emotional support to help people stay safe, recover and access the help they need.
Services include Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) support, refuge accommodation, counselling, and personalised safety planning for those experiencing or at risk of abuse.
Phone: 0300 561 0440
Humraaz
Humraaz provides specialist, culturally sensitive support for Black and minoritised ethnic women affected by domestic abuse and violence. The service offers a safe and supportive environment for women seeking help, advice or someone to talk to.
Support includes emotional support, advocacy, trauma-informed support, and access to staff who speak Urdu, Gujarati and Punjabi, helping ensure support is accessible and culturally appropriate for those who need it.
Contact:
- 01254 695800
- info@humraaz.org.uk
Community Safety and Anti-Social Behaviour
Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community during the World Cup and throughout the year. While major sporting events can bring people together, they can also sometimes lead to increased anti-social behaviour, noise, vandalism, intimidation or alcohol-related disorder in local areas.
Respecting neighbours, communities and public spaces helps ensure everyone can enjoy the tournament safely. If you experience or witness anti-social behaviour, support and reporting services are available through local community safety partners and the police.
Emergencies – Police
Call 999 if:
- someone is in danger
- violence is happening now
- a serious crime is in progress
Non-Emergencies
- Call 101
- Report online
Website: Lancashire Police Online Reporting
Reporting Anti-Social Behaviour
Blackburn with Darwen Community Safety Team
Report anti-social behaviour:
- community.safety@blackburn.gov.uk
- 01254 585260
Response time: within 5 working days
Local Services
Crimestoppers
CrimeStoppers allows you to report crimes anonymously.
Contact them via 0800 555 111
StreetSafe
Feeling Unsafe in Public Spaces?
Report concerns such as:
- poor lighting
- vandalism
- loitering
- drug-related activity
Gambling Harms
For many people, gambling is a normal part of major sporting events such as the World Cup. However, gambling can sometimes become harmful and affect finances, relationships, mental wellbeing, work and family life. Gambling harms can affect anyone, not just the person gambling, and the impact can often be hidden.
The excitement, emotional highs and lows, and increased exposure to betting during tournaments can make it harder for some people to stay in control. Feeling the need to chase losses, spending more than intended, or gambling affecting your mood or relationships can all be signs that support may be needed.
It is important to know that support is available without judgement. Early advice and support can help prevent gambling from becoming a bigger problem for you or someone close to you.
Local Services
NHS Northern Gambling Service
The NHS Northern Gambling Service provides specialist support for people experiencing gambling-related harms. The service offers confidential assessment, treatment and support for individuals affected by gambling, including support for family members and loved ones. Help is available for people experiencing impacts on mental health, relationships, finances or daily life as a result of gambling.
GamCare
GamCare provides free information, advice and support for anyone affected by gambling harms. The service offers a 24/7 National Gambling Helpline, live chat, online support and structured counselling to help people regain control and access ongoing support.
Contact: National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133
GamFam
GamFam provides support for families, friends and loved ones affected by someone else’s gambling. The service offers online peer support, recovery programmes and advice to help people manage the emotional and practical impact gambling can have on relationships and family life.
Drugs and Alcohol
Major sporting events like the World Cup can often lead to increased drinking and substance use during social gatherings, celebrations and nights out. With some matches finishing late into the evening and pubs and venues staying open longer, people may find themselves drinking more regularly or using substances more than usual during the tournament period.
While many people enjoy the World Cup safely, alcohol and drugs can sometimes begin to affect mental health, sleep, relationships, finances, work and physical wellbeing. The emotional highs and lows of supporting a team, combined with changes in routine and increased social pressure, can also have an impact on wellbeing.
If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available in Blackburn with Darwen. Local services offer confidential advice, treatment and recovery support without judgement.
Local Service
Spark
Spark provides confidential support for people affected by drug, alcohol and gambling-related harms across Blackburn with Darwen. The service offers advice, recovery support, counselling, detox support, harm reduction, family support and tailored treatment plans in a safe and non-judgemental environment. Support is available for adults, young people, families and anyone worried about their own substance use or someone else’s.
Contact:
- 01254 495014
- BWD@calico.org.uk
Address: St John’s Court, Ainsworth Street, Blackburn, BB1 6AR
