Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event and a great opportunity for the whole of the UK to focus on achieving good mental health. The Mental Health Foundation started the event 21 years ago and each year the Foundation continues to set the theme, which this year is ‘loneliness’.
As part of this campaign, we are sharing comments from our Everybody Healthy members who have found exercise to benefit their mental health, they are getting out more, building more confidence and meeting other people as a result of attending one of our health programmes.
Liz Edwards – Long Covid Rehabilitation programme (Macclesfield)
Liz has provided her feedback about the course, she shared;
“I greatly valued the chance to mix with others who are ‘in the same boat’, and to discuss and share experiences. After 20 months of largely being stuck at home, I had lost confidence and was particularly nervous about driving. The twice weekly rehab sessions have started to put a bit of structure back into my week, which I intend to continue in the multi-rehab classes.”
Laura Halket – Exercise Referral Programme (Crewe)
With the support of the exercise referral programme Laura has increased the amount of physical activity she is doing and now attends the gym 2 to 3 times a week. The programme has helped her get fitter, she has lost over 9kg in weight and also improved her mental wellbeing!
This is what Laura had to say about the heath programme;
“This programme is really helpful, I’ve now become more active on a regular basis, feel much healthier, and the consultations with Gavin throughout the programme have been really helpful. I wouldn’t be where I am now without the programme.”
Denise Unwin and Julie Flood – Long Covid Rehabilitation programme (Macclesfield)
Denise and Julie have recently completed the Long Covid programme and have now started on the exercise referral programme. They said,
“It has increased our confidence and the exercises made us feel good. I liked the social element of it by getting out and meeting new people who are also experiencing Long Covid like ourselves. Whilst on the course I have reconnected and become closer with a friend I previously went to school with who also attended the programme. The course has made me realise I need to look after myself and It has encouraged me to become more active, and I will continue using the facilities such as the gym and aqua fit classes.”
We will be sharing more stories from our amazing members each day this week on our Facebook page.
A huge 76% of our health clients have seen an improvement in their mental wellbeing as a result of attending one of our wellbeing programmes (Data from 1st July 2021 – 31st March 2022)
Our Everybody Healthy service encapsulates a range of services that are all designed to support people who have long term conditions and illnesses, so that they can better manage their condition, and improve their quality of life.
Find out more, or contact the Everybody Healthy Team, email: [email protected] or call 01270 685589.