From the 7th to the 13th of October,  twenty organisations in locations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are hosting events to mark World Mental Health Day.

This year, to mark the theme of mental health being a universal human right, the call is for people to have conversations with school friends, family and friends, and colleagues on the day and ask them how they are feeling with the ‘RU OK’ campaign?

The events are being spearheaded by our voluntary sector organisations who are working to deliver mental health support to their local communities, teaming up with partners from the NHS and local councils.

Tracey Pollard, from the Rural Community Council, is one of the voluntary sector partners taking part. She said: “The Rural Community Council has recently started to run one of the NHS’ Neighbourhood Mental Health Cafes in Syston. World Mental Health Day is an opportunity for us to get out and talk to local people about mental health – and to promote the new Café that we are running. We are going to be in Asda in Thurmaston on the day to talk to people as they do their shopping, we’ll be handing out information leaflets for the new Syston café, as well as offering advice and support on other local services & organisations available in the area.”

Healthwatch Leicester and Healthwatch Leicestershire (HWLL), the local health and social care champion for the public are taking to public transport to spread the message to commuters on the 10 October at the Loughborough, Leicester and Market Harborough railway stations. Gemma Barrow, Healthwatch Manager, said: “We’re delighted to be taking part on the day with our team of volunteers. We’ll be starting at Loughborough in the morning before hopping onto the train to get to Leicester and Market Harborough in the afternoon. It’s important for us to be talking to people about mental health, to raise awareness of the support that is out there and to listen to any feedback.”

World Mental Health Day also includes two mobile buses, one from Blaby District Council and one from NHS Talking Therapies, two full day conferences from Peepul Mental Health and from the Adhar Project, plus a host of activities across the city and county that include cookery classes, a skipping competition, a sing loud be proud session and arts and crafts events.

Tanya Hibbert, Director of Mental Health at Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, said: “World Mental Health Day is a fantastic opportunity to highlight some of the great work that we and our partners are doing together across all parts of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. We would like to encourage everyone to get involved in any of the many events running on the day. Even if you can’t get to an event, we would urge people to take part by making the time to ask their employees, colleagues, friends and members of their family ‘RU OK?’ and to encourage open conversations.”

Rachna Vyas, Chief Operating Officer at the Integrated Care Board, added: “The local NHS winter campaign this year is once again encouraging people to ‘Get in The Know’ about the local health and community support that’s out there for them and this covers both mental and physical health. It is fantastic that so many of the Neighbourhood Mental Health Cafes that we have recently opened are taking part in the day as these are a new place for people to drop in and get support when they feel in crisis.”

Download the What’s On Guide here 

 

  1. Peepul Mental Health Community Symposium – 7th October, 10am – 1.30pm, The Peepul Centre, Orchardson Avenue, Leicester, LE4 6DP
    A range of speakers and stands, find out how you can get the right support. Download the flyer here
  2. Oadby & Wigston Neighbourhood Mental Health Café – Provided by Turning Point – 7th October Saturdays, 10.30am – 5.30pm (latest arrival 5pm) 40 Bell Street, Wigston, Leicestershire, LE18 1AD
  3. Shama Women’s Centre – 4th & 11th October, 10am – 12 noon, Shama Women’s Centre, 39 – 45 Sparkenhoe Street, Leicester, LE2 0TD
    Free cooking session to improve your eating habits. Join us for a free healthy lunch. For more information email info@shamawomenscentre.co.uk or call 0116 251 4747. Download the flyer here.
  4. Loughborough Wellbeing Centre – 10th October, 10am – 4pm, Loughborough Wellbeing Centre, Asha House, 63 Woodgate, Loughborough, LE11 2TZ
    A range of activities including mindfulness, talks and workshops. Download the flyer here.
  5. Team Hub CIC – 12th October, 12 noon – 3pm, Team Hub CIC, New Parks Community Centre, St Oswald Road, Leicester LE3 6RJ
    Afternoon tea drop-in event so people can attend to see what mental health support Team hub offer and surrounding groups and organisations.
  6. Rural Community Council/Syston Mental Health Networking Group – 10th October, 12 noon – 6pm, Asda Thurmaston, Barkby Thorpe Lane, LE4 8GN
    Offering support, signposting to local and NHS services
  7. De Montfort University Student Union with Mental Health Matters – 10th October, 10am – 3pm, DeMontfort University Students Union, Mill Lane, Leicester, LE2 7DR
    Community Skipping Challenge. The idea is to have at least one person skipping at a time constantly! Staff will be outside to engage with people about World Mental Health Day.
  8. Sunny Skies CIC Community Art Piece- 10th October, 10am – 4pm , Sunny Skies Café, Melton Country Park Café, Wymondham Way, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE13 1HX
    Visitors to the Sunny Skies café (in Melton county park visitor centre) can share how they are feeling that day by writing, drawing or using stickers to decorate a coloured square that will be added to a ‘patchwork blanket’ art display.
  9. Jamila’s Legacy Pop-up Event – 10th October, 9.30am – 3.30pm, Highfields Library, 98 Melbourne Road, Leicester, LE2 0DS
    Offering support, signposting to local and NHS services
  10. Rutland activities with Peppers, RISE and Root and Branch on 10 October
    The new Neighbourhood  Mental Health Café for Rutland will be outside Citizens Advice on Tuesday 10th October 10:30-14:30. We will be joined by Pepper’s, RISE and Root and Branch Out.
    The café will also be  having an open morning with free coffee and cake at Pepper’s- A Safe Place (2A High Street, LE15 6AL) 10:30-12:30 for any adults who want to pop in to find out more about the neighbourhood café or any other support we know about.
  11. RU OK? Public Interaction session – 10th October, Loughborough Railway Station, 8.30am – 11am, Leicester Railway Station 12 noon – 6pm, Market Harborough Railway Station, pm – 4pm
    Healthwatch Leicester and Healthwatch Leicestershire will be at railway stations asking people ‘RU OK?’ and sharing information on local health and care services. Download the flyer here.
  12. NHS Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland Talking Therapies: Making People Better Bus –  2nd – 14th October
    10th October, 9am – 5pm, Leicester City Centre, Humberstone Gate between Primark and M&S, LE1 1WL
    The Making People Better bus will travel to various communities, making it easier for you to access professional help. Find all the locations for the bus here
  13. All is Well Van – 10th October, 9am – 1.30pm, Glen Hills Library and Park Cafe Dorothy Avenue, LE2 9JE
    Offering support, signposting to local and NHS services
  14. Feel Good Café – 10th October, 9.30am – 12.30pm, Marlene Reid Community Action, 85 Belvoir Road, Coalville, LE67 3PH
    The Marlene Reid Centre in partnership with Enrych are dedicating the ‘Feel Good Café’ to celebrate World Mental Health day and host the ‘Sing Loud, Be Proud’ choir. Attendees can also take part in arts and crafts, board games and a seated exercise class which are integral to the café activities. There is also a buffet provided for £1.50 per person.
  15. Age UK Pop-up Event – 10th October, 10am – 2pm, Measham and District Community Library, 6 High Street, Measham, Swadlincote, DE12 7HR
    Offering support, signposting to local and NHS services.
  16. P3 1st Birthday Party – 10th October, 10am – 4pm, 21B St Martins, Leicester LE1 5DE
    Celebrating what has been achieved in P3’s first year of service. Download the flyer here.
  17. Adhar Event – 13th October, 9.30am – 3.30pm, Birstall Social Club 16-18 Wanlip Ln, Birstall, Leicester LE4 4JS
    Each year, Adhar celebrate World Mental Health Day to help increase awareness about our work within the community and to continue the important dialogue around mental health, especially within BAME communities.
  18. Leicester Community Radio/Leicester City Council – 10th October, 10am – 3pm, Haymarket Shopping Centre, 1 Kildare St, Leicester LE1 3YH
    A range of activities including therapeutic colouring, signposting to Adult Education courses, music and more. Download the flyer here.
  19. Hinckley & Bosworth Community Mental Health Support
    9th October- 13th October- Community Houses & Volunteer Led Groups in Burbage, Barwell, Desford, Earl Shilton, Wykin, Newbold Verdon, Ratby & Barlestone will be hosting numerous activities and social opportunities in neighbourhoods, as well as promoting positive mental health offers for World Mental Health Day. Join us at any one of our locations for tea, cake & the opportunity to take part in activities. For further information & specific venues, dates and times please contact Community House Co-ordinators on: 01455 255941.9th October, 10am – 1pm – Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council & their Health & Wellbeing Ambassadors are holding a ‘Lets Talk’ Market stall in Hinckley Town Centre, to talk and signpost residents to local services and gift goody bags from their ‘Let’s Talk’ campaign.