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World Mental Health Day 2025
On this World Mental Health Day, we spoke to Deputy Greenkeeper, James Matthewman from Maesteg Golf Club and Course Manager, Stewart Marshall about why mental health is important to them.
How has working in turfcare effected your mental health?
Working in this industry has its many benefits working outdoors and being with nature can give your mental health a significant boost but no one mentions the darker sides to it. The stress involved in trying to keep up with demands and added pressure from committees and members takes its toll and along with the unsociable hours it’s a recipe for disaster.
What are the benefits of working outside?
There are many benefits to working outside. To be at one with nature is definitely a way to lift moral and a great way to boost those endorphins. However, it is difficult in those winter months. That's when been mentally prepared is a key benefactor.
Having worked inside and outside how does this compare in terms of wellbeing?
Working indoors can be a stressful job especially with deadlines and significant goals and objectives to be met. But if I'm completely honest well-being wise working outdoors is much harder because you are not only conducting your day-to-day tasks, but you are battling nature's elements in the process. Yes, someone will say but what about when the sun's out? And where I agree I also have to disagree because with climate change today our weathers are much more extreme and let's be honest how often is it sunny in Wales.
How important is mental health? Should we consider this in turfcare management?
Mental health is a huge deal nowadays, no one really use to talk about it 20-30 years ago or it wasn't as well known. But I am glad it is well known now, and it should definitely be brought into management because no job or any significant task is worth suffering mentally over. Something I always say to myself every day when I look in the mirror is 'are you ok' it always reassures me that I am and if I'm not I would certainly seek help as you are never alone.
Stewart Marshall
How has working in turfcare effected your mental health?
Working in turfcare has helped massively; During Covid, I was working in an officed based job and it was terrible. My wellbeing has never been better since stepping outside as a greenkeeper.
What are the benefits of working outside?
Working outside is incredible especially in the Lake District where the views and wildlife are breathtaking daily. I often walk out onto the course and just look into the distance, admiring the views and taking a minute to myself.
Having worked inside and outside how does this compare in terms of wellbeing?
Working outside has definitely improved my wellbeing, I now go home to the family, and I am in a great mood after work. When I worked in an office I would quite often return home, and my wellbeing would have been quite negative.
How important is mental health? Should we consider this in turfcare management?
Mental health is hugely important in the workplace, as I've got older it’s become more and more prevalent. I pay as much interest in that now with my staff as I do training, a happy well motivated employee is worth its weight in gold. This industry is hard work and without the high morale that can effect the whole team.
