Mental Health Awareness Week
Today marks the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK
The week-long campaign was started in 2001 by the Mental Health Foundation, to raise awareness, and encourage people in the UK to focus on getting good mental health. It takes place every May and is open to anyone to participate in some way.
This year’s theme is ‘Movement: Moving more for our mental health’ – to highlight how regular physical exercise is known to improve mental health, quality of life, and wellbeing. As well as being beneficial for the mind, increasing movement also helps to prevent and treat heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and more.
Despite these benefits, over a third of UK adults do not meet the recommended amount of activity – and why this year’s theme is so important.
How to get involved
Share – download free posters and graphics to raise awareness
Wear – organise a Wear It Green Day in your workplace, community, or with family and friends to raise vital funds
Do – participate in the week yourself by making a conscious effort to move more
How we are getting involved
As well as helping mental health charities save money on essential products and services, we use our profits to support the National Walking Football Association (NWFA).
The decision was made by one of the Charities Buying Group(CBG) directors, who watched first hand the positive impact and opportunities walking football brings to its players. Not only does the game encourage fitness and movement, it creates a space for people to build friendships with new people.
The NWFA supports the expansion of walking football communities across the UK by helping teams and individuals who want to play.
“We want to promote more participation in the sport, working towards having an impact on physical and mental wellbeing, and maintaining the ethos of having fun making new friends,” explains the NWFA.
Since 2023, the NWFA has built a club directory to connect teams, given away five defibrillators with help from the Red Sky Foundation, and hosted walking football sessions for people with Autism.
The Charities Buying Group will continue to help the NWFA promote and facilitate the playing of walking football in the UK to encourage even more social interaction and physical exercise.