Get Set to Go and improve mental health
A mental health charity in Bath and North East Somerset has been awarded funding to help improve people’s physical and mental health by trying new sports and activities. Bath Mind is launching its new programme Get Set to Go which will support people experiencing mental health problems – such as depression and anxiety – to build their confidence by encouraging them to get active. The programme, supported by Olympic gold medal skeleton racer, Amy Williams and Olympic judoka, Ben Fletcher, aims to improve the lives of everyone with mental health problems in the area through access to sport and physical activity, thanks to funding from Sport England and the National Lottery. Get Set to Go, which launched in 2015, has so far helped more than 3,500 with mental health problems try out new activities in a relaxed and friendly environment. Mind aims to support more than 120,000 people with mental health problems across the country to be more active through its work in communities and partners in the sport sector. Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, said: “We know that physical activity can play a vital role in the lives of people with mental health problems, reducing the risk of depression by up to 30 per cent. “Unfortunately we also know that many people who do want to participate in sport are being held back by their mental health, whether that’s feelings of low selfconfidence, exhaustion or fear of crowded spaces. “The findings of the first phase of the Get Set to Go programme shows us that it works as a model, improving participants’ resilience and building their support networks. We are delighted to have received funding to build on this and support more people with mental health problems to become more physically active.” Bath Mind will be working closely with partners such as Virgin Care, the public health team, B&NES Council and others to deliver community sessions and to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment within local sport and leisure facilities. As part of this work, they will be offering free Mental Health Aware- ness for Sport and Physical Activity (MHASPA) training to sport sector staff, developed with UK Coaching. The charity will train peer volunteers to support participants to attend the Get Set to Go sessions and try out different activities. To find out more about being a peer volunteer, call 01225 316199 or visit the Thoughtful Bread Company, Barton Street, on August 29 at 3pm.