Mind collaborate with physical activity partners to improve mental health across the North West

During current coronavirus crisis and social distancing, people are faced with increased uncertainty, making mental health a national priority and the sport sector can play a key part in the current and future mental health strategies.

The Mind’s Mental Health in Physical Activity Network programme aims to bring sport, physical activity and mental health organizations together throughout the North West to share best practice. Part of Mind’s Physical Activity Sector Support and Get Set to Go programme and funded by Sport England and the National Lottery, the aim of the programme is to help and increase the number of organizations in the region who are able to support and engage people with mental health problems in being active.

The lead body for sport and physical activity in Cheshire and Warrington, Active Cheshire have joined forces with MSF (Merseyside Sport Foundation) and Mind to enhance health outcomes through promoting and engaging the population to be physically active. Many campaigns national and local have been released such as #StayInWorkOut, #ActiveMums, and #IsolationGames encouraging inclusive ways to exercise from the comfort of your own home.

Anne Boyd, Chief Executive Officer from Active Cheshire, said; “We are really excited to be working in partnership with MSP to deliver this exciting project to improve the lives of local residents and benefit the mental health services across the North West.”

“Given the current challenges, it is important that we combine opportunities to stay physically active at home, to stay connected while we are in the period of isolation and increase the awareness of the intrinsic power of physical activity over our mental health.”

Kyle Tunstall, Lead for Mind North West network from MSP, said; “

"Minds North West Regional Network is working to connect people and expertise to make physical activity support for mental health even stronger in the region. Merseyside Sports Foundation is the hub of the North West Network in partnership with Mind, and we are pleased to be collaborating with Active Cheshire to bring the benefits of the North West Regional Network to Cheshire. Active Cheshire are the perfect partners to work with on this as our track record shows with our successful collaborations to date, and a shared enthusiasm for the power of sport and physical activity on our mental health. We look forward to the impact that this network and its opportunities will have in Cheshire, as well as sharing the many success stories across the North West."

As part of this collaboration, Active Cheshire’s Active Minds will:

a.      Deliver a minimum of one Mind Hub workshop.

b.      Deliver one (virtual) Mind Hub networking session bringing together a minimum of 15 different organizations.

c.       Distribute 64 licenses for Mental Health Awareness Course for Sport and Physical Activity e-learning.

d.      Continue to engage with a wide range of sport, physical activity and public health audiences to identify and promote outstanding practice.

The first appointment and launch of the partnership with Cheshire and Warrington based stakeholders will be on Friday 24^th April 2020 when Active Minds will be hosting a virtual Active Cheshire Chat, bringing like-minded people in Cheshire and Warrington together whilst being physically apart to talk about. To book a place https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/102336764016

Active Cheshire is the lead body for physical activity and sport in Cheshire & Warrington. Since 1989 the organisation has been working across the sub-region to improve the provision of sport and physical activity opportunities. Since 2014 Active Cheshire has focused on changing behaviours to encourage embedding physical activity in all aspects of everyday life.

As an organisation Active Cheshire works across the whole of the market partnering with a diverse range of organisations ensuring a positive impact in all walks of life; ensuring people can get active at home, school, in the workplace and everywhere in between.

We help people take small steps to have a big impact on their quality of life.

www.activecheshire.org