LTA takes part in Sport in Mind’s Take Action portrait exhibition to mark Mental Health Awareness Week
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We are delighted to be celebrating our partnership with Sport in Mind, by taking part in their Take Action portrait exhibition, a curated collection of images that highlight what action through movement can do for mental health, driving awareness of the shared belief that sport can change lives.
The physical exhibition launch coincides with Mental Health Awareness Week, and can be viewed at Reading Museum from 11th May, before moving to the nearby Oracle Shopping Centre for a wider public display on Wednesday 13th May. An immersive, digital extension of the exhibition will feature further exclusive images that bring to life the powerful impact sport, and in particular tennis, can have on your mental health. It can be viewed here Taking Action: Photo Exhibition | Sport in Mind.
Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 is all about Taking Action, and real action happens when organisations come together with a shared purpose. In April 2023 the LTA Tennis Foundation awarded a three-year grant to Sport in Mind to help expand and develop its tennis sessions, supporting people living with mental health problems.
The impact of the grant has gone far beyond initial expectations. It has enabled Sport in Mind to positively transform the lives of nearly 500 people experiencing mental health challenges. Over the course of the grant, more than 1,100 sessions have been delivered across 16 locations. Impact data shows that 78% of participants grew in confidence, while 69% reported an improvement in mood as a direct result of taking part.
Matt Elkington, Equality, Diversion and Inclusion Programme Manager, LTA commented “We are delighted to take part in the Sport in Mind Take Action Exhibition. Over the last three years the LTA Tennis Foundation has worked with Sport in Mind to open tennis up to people who may never have seen themselves on a court. Through inclusive coaching, community outreach and consistent weekly delivery, our partnership has broken down barriers, showing that tennis can be for everyone, regardless of background, ability or experience. Our involvement in the exhibition is a perfect way to celebrate our ongoing work together.”
The latest initiative to come out of the Sport in Mind partnership is the equipping of coaches and volunteers with the tools, training and understanding they need to support people experiencing mental health challenges. Available since February, there is now a mental health component included in the LTA’s Open Your Doors, disability-inclusion module, open to people within a club, park, community or education landscape who want to make their venue more inclusive.
Continued growth and impact
In January 2026, the LTA Tennis Foundation awarded a second three-year grant to Sport in Mind, reflecting the strength of the partnership and the proven impact of its tennis provision. This continued investment will enable Sport in Mind to sustain and deepen its existing delivery, while significantly expanding its reach and ambition.
When I first joined Sport in Mind sessions, I was inactive and not doing much with my time; I wanted to change that. I was recovering from a tough time after being sectioned for psychosis. I wanted something gentle to help me get back into things. Sport in Mind felt like a safe first step.
Over the next three years, the partnership will support expansion into Suffolk, Lancashire and Cheshire, extending access to inclusive tennis sessions for more people living with mental health challenges. The grant will also enable padel to be introduced into the programme, broadening opportunities for participation and offering new, engaging ways for people to be active. In addition, Sport in Mind will deliver an annual tennis festival, celebrating movement, connection and mental health, and helping to challenge stigma through visible, community-led activity.
“The LTA Tennis Foundation’s mission is to improve lives through tennis, and through our grant programme we work in partnership with expert organisations who work in their communities to achieve the greatest possible impact. The grant awarded to Sport in Mind clearly demonstrates what can be achieved through this approach, and we look forward to seeing the continued development and impact of this valued partnership.” Tom Gibbins, Head of LTA Tennis Foundation Development
Sport in Mind sessions are designed to be inclusive, low-pressure and free from expectation, allowing participants to take part at their own pace. This approach has been central to their success, with many participants highlighting the sense of safety and reassurance the sessions provide.
For more information about how you could get involved and deliver programmes to improve people’s mental health please visit LTA Open Court
