Former West Ham United footballer Ryan Briggs has launched a not-for-profit financial education service to support mental health and financial wellbeing in sport.

The new service is called: Financial Wellbeing Within Sport (FWWS).

Mr Briggs played in West Ham United's most successful ever youth team alongside future Chelsea and England star Joe Cole, as well as Michael Carrick and Jermaine Defoe.

They were all part of the West Ham United squad that won the FA Youth Cup in 1999.

But Mr Briggs senior football career was cut-short after he was released by West Ham in 2000 and the midfielder went on to play for Dover Athletic, Chesham United, Folkestone Invicta, Grays Athletic, Bromley, Dulwich Hamlet Tonbridge, Dartford, Erith & Belvedere, Ashford Town and Thamesmead Town.

After leaving football Mr Briggs became a financial wellbeing specialist and trainer and gained a level four diploma in Financial Services.

He is a mental health first aider and ambassador and advisory board member for the R;pple (sic) Suicide Prevention Charity.

Now he has launched a new, not-for-profit financial education service designed to support the wellbeing of young sportspeople and help prevent mental health issues related to money management. Known as Financial Wellbeing Within Sport CIC, it is a community interest company.

It helps sports people and organisations build better relationships with money by focusing primarily on training, education, guidance and support to navigate the world of finances, rather than just financial advice. The service includes access to online educational content, ways to measure financial wellbeing, group workshops, one-to-one guidance sessions, money management technology and leadership/champion training.

Supporting service providers to FWWS currently include FinWELL Training Ltd, a financial wellbeing service for employees; Maji, a money management and wellbeing platform and the R;pple Suicide Prevention Charity.

Mr Briggs said: “We’ve all seen how important it is to focus on our physical and mental health, especially over the last few years, and recent reports show that the biggest driver of stress, anxiety and mental health issues is poor financial wellbeing and money management problems. Sportspeople’s careers are limited in terms of duration and earning potential, and can often get cut short due to injury or contract decisions that are out of their hands, so it’s therefore essential that they are able to make informed decisions to protect and secure their financial future and their life and career after sport.

“By taking control of their personal finances, young sportspeople can learn how to budget more effectively, invest wisely, and protect their long-term financial journey and lifestyle choices.”

As a community interest company, FWWS’ nominated charities include The Street Soccer Foundation, The Alan Shearer Foundation and R;pple Suicide Prevention Charity.

Alice Hendy MBE, founder of R;pple, said: “There is a huge link between financial wellbeing and mental health. The impact poor financial wellness can have upon our minds, thought processes, and lifestyle should not be underestimated.”

Keith Mabbutt, founder of Street Soccer Foundation, said: “Financial instability breeds stress, which in a sports context can hinder performance and decision-making, potentially affecting an athlete’s financial and mental health and wellbeing. Athletes face immense pressure, leading to issues such as lack of confidence and depression. Teaching mental health awareness and financial planning is vital for athletes with typically short careers.”

• FWWS website can be found here: FWWS

• The R;pple Suicide Prevention Charity can be found here: R;pple