Mind funds nine new regional hubs to help more people with mental health problems get physically active The mental health charity Mind has announced the launch of nine new Regional Networks to help more people with mental health problems engage with physical activity. By linking up local organisations across the physical activity, mental health and charity sectors Mind hopes its Regional Networks will support sport and physical activity organisations to be more inclusive of people with mental health problems.
The Regional Networks will work to increase the number of groups in their region who are equipped with the skills to support and engage people with mental health problems in physical activity. They will offer training, toolkits and resources, as well as providing a platform for networking and sharing best practice to build stronger relationship between organisations. We are delighted to be working with the other North East Active Partnerships: Tyne and Wear Sport (hub organisation), Tees Valley Sport and Northumberland Sport to bring this opportunity to County Durham. We will receive support and funding from Mind until the 31st March 2021.
Becks Lippe, Assistant Director at County Durham Sport, said: “We know how important physical activity is to our mental health so are delighted to be working with the other North East Active Partnerships to improve mental health awareness and break down some of the barriers people face when getting active, allowing more people with mental health problems to become active in County Durham.”
Hayley Jarvis, Head of Physical Activity at Mind, said: “We know that physical and mental health go hand in hand and it is now well-established that being more physically active can have real benefits to our mental health. Yet despite this, many people with mental health problems face barriers to getting active, ranging from fears about physical appearance or being intimidated by going to the gym, to finding it hard to get out of the house. The good news is that, by upskilling staff and volunteers across the sport and physical activity sector, we can begin to break down some of these barriers. We hope that the Regional Networks will help bring about real change in the sector that leads to more people with mental health problems feeling able to get more active.”
This is a great opportunity for local groups and sports clubs in County Durham and the surrounding areas, who are keen to do more around supporting people with mental health problems and the barriers they face to become more active. For more information about Mind’s Regional Networks or if you are interested in getting involved please contact Becks Lippe on becks.lippe@countydurhamsport.com. We are looking to develop a network with both sport & physical activity and mental health organisations.
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