Free activity campaign helps to improve mental wellbeing

A free activity campaign has launched in the Blaby District to support local people to improve their mental wellbeing.

Public Health England has launched its Every Mind Matters campaign to empower more people to take control of their mental health by getting active.

Everyone Active is supporting the scheme by offering free swim and gym sessions every Monday from now until mid-December at its Enderby Leisure and Golf Centre.

As well as physical benefits, being active is proven to reduce stress, increase energy levels and improve sleep. Public Health England aims to get more people feeling these benefits through the Every Mind Matters campaign.

It is being trialled exclusively with Everyone Active across the Midlands. Those wishing to make the most of the free activity can sign up online. From there they will receive a voucher allowing them into Swim 4 Everyone and Swim 4 Fitness sessions, or free access to the gym between 10am-3pm. The passes can be used on Monday’s only from now up until 17th December at participating Everyone Active sites.

Every Mind Matters also offers free online resources that provide expert advice, tips, and a personal action plan to help improve our mental wellbeing.

Ann Crawford, Deputy Director of Health and Wellbeing with PHE East Midlands, said: “With the pressures of modern life, it’s normal to feel stressed, anxious, low or have trouble sleeping some of the time. But when these become overwhelming or frequent they can manifest into a more serious problem.

“It’s just as important to take action to look after your mental health, as you would your physical health. Our campaign helps you take your mental health into your own hands, so you can protect and improve your own mental health and that of others.”

In total, Everyone Active is opening up the doors to 26 of its leisure facilities across the Midlands as part of the campaign.

James Naylor, Everyone Active contract manager, said: “We are huge advocates of the role of physical activity plays in helping people to improve their overall health and wellbeing. It is extremely important that we all look after our mental health, and we’re delighted to be supporting a campaign that helps people to do just that.”

To find out how to make the most of the free activity, visit
www.everyoneactive.com/everymindmatters or for more information about Every Mind Matters, go to www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters.