KADS Mental Health Champions
Jogging and running can boost our mood, build confidence, improve sleep, sharpen our thinking and ease stress, anxiety and depression. We also know that getting started — and staying motivated — isn’t always easy. That’s why England Athletics, in partnership with Mind, has developed a network of Mental Health Champions you can #RunandTalk with.
At Kimberley and District striders we have trained three Mental Health Champions. Their role of our Mental Health Champions is to:
- Promote mental wellbeing through running by championing the aims of #RunAndTalk.
- Work with Welfare officers, the club or group to help members use running to support and improve their mental health.
- Support people experiencing mental health challenges to start running, return to running, or keep running in a safe and encouraging environment.
Our Mental Health Champions are Nick Tennant, Katie Newton and Emma Makin:
Mental Health Awareness Week 2026
These ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’- are a set of pillars which are key to improving our mental health. Modelled by the New Economics Foundation, they are geared around themes of social connectedness, physical activity, awareness, learning, and giving.
Day 1 - Connect
Connection is about relating to one and other and feeling understood. Speak to the people in your life, be it friends, family, colleagues or neighbours. Build new connections to expand your circles – this could be at work, school or in your local community. Think of these as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them. Developing these connections will support and enrich you every day.
Day 2 – Be Active
As members of KADS, I think we’ve probably got this one covered, but here’s today’s “Pillar of Wellbeing”.
“Engaging in regular physical activity is known to go hand in hand with lower rates of depression and anxiety across all age groups. Not everyone needs to be a fitness fanatic to boost your wellness through activity. Simply step outside, exercise your green fingers or organise a games night. You could go for a walk or run, cycle or dance. Exercise releases hormones that make you feel good. Most importantly, being active is about discovering a physical activity you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility and fitness.”
Day 1 - Connect
Connection is about relating to one and other and feeling understood. Speak to the people in your life, be it friends, family, colleagues or neighbours. Build new connections to expand your circles – this could be at work, school or in your local community. Think of these as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them. Developing these connections will support and enrich you every day.
Day 2 – Be Active
As members of KADS, I think we’ve probably got this one covered, but here’s today’s “Pillar of Wellbeing”.
“Engaging in regular physical activity is known to go hand in hand with lower rates of depression and anxiety across all age groups. Not everyone needs to be a fitness fanatic to boost your wellness through activity. Simply step outside, exercise your green fingers or organise a games night. You could go for a walk or run, cycle or dance. Exercise releases hormones that make you feel good. Most importantly, being active is about discovering a physical activity you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility and fitness.”
|
|
Day 3 – Take Notice
Again, this one probably applies to most of us who are running outdoors. Those who were out on the Map Run to Emma’s bench couldn’t have not noticed our beautiful surroundings. It was a very special run.
“Take stock of your surroundings, be curious, catch sight of the beautiful. Being in a state of ‘mindfulness’ has been shown to be associated with a positive mental state. Greater awareness of the world around us helps us see the unusual and notice simple pleasures like the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you’re walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be present to your feelings and environment. Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.”
Day 4 – Keep Learning
Here’s the next “Pillar to Wellbeing”.
“Learning something new is good for your brain and often exciting for the learner. Trying something different, rediscovering an old interest or signing up for that course you’ve always wanted to do can also improve our confidence and widen our skillset. Take on a new responsibility at work, do some arts and crafts or pick up an untried recipe. The challenge and enjoyment of learning new things gives a sense of fulfilment that is second to none.”
Day 5 – Give
I think today’s “Way to Wellbeing pillar” encapsulates everything about our sport. Without amazing volunteers, we simply wouldn’t be able to do what we love. From weekly parkruns, from small local events to huge national races, they’re all run by volunteers. Not to mention our wonderful Committee and Run Leaders. If you’ve not volunteered for a while, give it a go - especially if you’re injured. It’ll make you feel part of something bigger than you.
“Giving encapsulates many things – from showing goodwill and generosity of spirit to giving presents and giving up our time. Evidence suggests that ‘giving back’ or helping others promotes wellbeing for all ages. Why not do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. You could even volunteer your time with a charity or join an online community to give and receive peer support in equal measure. The key to giving is to look outwards, as well as inwards. Seeing yourself, and your happiness, linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you.”
Again, this one probably applies to most of us who are running outdoors. Those who were out on the Map Run to Emma’s bench couldn’t have not noticed our beautiful surroundings. It was a very special run.
“Take stock of your surroundings, be curious, catch sight of the beautiful. Being in a state of ‘mindfulness’ has been shown to be associated with a positive mental state. Greater awareness of the world around us helps us see the unusual and notice simple pleasures like the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you’re walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be present to your feelings and environment. Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.”
Day 4 – Keep Learning
Here’s the next “Pillar to Wellbeing”.
“Learning something new is good for your brain and often exciting for the learner. Trying something different, rediscovering an old interest or signing up for that course you’ve always wanted to do can also improve our confidence and widen our skillset. Take on a new responsibility at work, do some arts and crafts or pick up an untried recipe. The challenge and enjoyment of learning new things gives a sense of fulfilment that is second to none.”
Day 5 – Give
I think today’s “Way to Wellbeing pillar” encapsulates everything about our sport. Without amazing volunteers, we simply wouldn’t be able to do what we love. From weekly parkruns, from small local events to huge national races, they’re all run by volunteers. Not to mention our wonderful Committee and Run Leaders. If you’ve not volunteered for a while, give it a go - especially if you’re injured. It’ll make you feel part of something bigger than you.
“Giving encapsulates many things – from showing goodwill and generosity of spirit to giving presents and giving up our time. Evidence suggests that ‘giving back’ or helping others promotes wellbeing for all ages. Why not do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. You could even volunteer your time with a charity or join an online community to give and receive peer support in equal measure. The key to giving is to look outwards, as well as inwards. Seeing yourself, and your happiness, linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you.”
As a club we are going to continue to host Run and Talk nights. Here are some photos of our previous nights:
|
|
As I’ve said on the welfare page, please do not suffer in silence. If you contact [email protected], this is only monitored by the Lead Welfare officer.
Support Resources
Shout Crisis Text Line: Text "Shout" to 85258.
Stay Alive app: https://www.stayalive.app/.
Samaritans: National Helpline 24/7: 116 123. Email: [email protected]
National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK: National Helpline 0800 689 5652.
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): National Helpline: 0800 585858. Live chat: available online
SANE: National Helpline (SANEline): 0300 304 7000.
Staying Safe: https://www.stayingsafe.net/home.
(Over 55's) The Silver Line: National Helpline: 0800 470 8090.
(Under 35's) Papyrus: prevention of young suicide: National Hopeline 24/7: 0800 068 4141. Text: 88247. Email: [email protected].
Hub of Hope: https://hubofhope.co.uk/. The Hub of Hope is the UK's leading mental health support database. The services and support listed on the Hub of Hope are not only for when things become unbearable a crisis point. They are also for those times when we notice we are starting to struggle, or when we need extra support as we start to emerge from a particularly difficult time.
Sorted: mental health app: https://www.sortedmentalhealth.app/Available on iOS and Android. From healing unresolved distress, to helping with everyday upsets, to sleeping better, the app has so much to offer in helping you sort out your life.
Togetherall: https://togetherall.com/en-gb/ A safe online community of people who are anxious, down or not coping who support and help each other by sharing what's troubling them, Guided by trained professionals. Sign up to free access online.
Wellbeing and Coping: https://wellbeingandcoping.net/#/ Use this website to complete a wellbeing plan, practice the 30-3-30 method, and learn ways to cope with distress.
Get Self Help website: http://www.getselfhelp.co.uk This website provides Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) self-help and therapy resources, including worksheets and information sheets and self-help MP3s. Has been proven to help mental health problems.
Stay Alive app: https://www.stayalive.app/.
Samaritans: National Helpline 24/7: 116 123. Email: [email protected]
National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK: National Helpline 0800 689 5652.
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): National Helpline: 0800 585858. Live chat: available online
SANE: National Helpline (SANEline): 0300 304 7000.
Staying Safe: https://www.stayingsafe.net/home.
(Over 55's) The Silver Line: National Helpline: 0800 470 8090.
(Under 35's) Papyrus: prevention of young suicide: National Hopeline 24/7: 0800 068 4141. Text: 88247. Email: [email protected].
Hub of Hope: https://hubofhope.co.uk/. The Hub of Hope is the UK's leading mental health support database. The services and support listed on the Hub of Hope are not only for when things become unbearable a crisis point. They are also for those times when we notice we are starting to struggle, or when we need extra support as we start to emerge from a particularly difficult time.
Sorted: mental health app: https://www.sortedmentalhealth.app/Available on iOS and Android. From healing unresolved distress, to helping with everyday upsets, to sleeping better, the app has so much to offer in helping you sort out your life.
Togetherall: https://togetherall.com/en-gb/ A safe online community of people who are anxious, down or not coping who support and help each other by sharing what's troubling them, Guided by trained professionals. Sign up to free access online.
Wellbeing and Coping: https://wellbeingandcoping.net/#/ Use this website to complete a wellbeing plan, practice the 30-3-30 method, and learn ways to cope with distress.
Get Self Help website: http://www.getselfhelp.co.uk This website provides Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) self-help and therapy resources, including worksheets and information sheets and self-help MP3s. Has been proven to help mental health problems.