This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and many of ActivLives’ activities specifically focus on helping people improve their mental health. This is done through our inclusive sports sessions, courses at our community gardens and many of our activity Hubs.
The positive links between physical activity and mental health are now very well-documented. Regular physical activity is widely recognised to foster a variety of mental health benefits including: improved mood, reductions in stress levels, improvements in self-esteem and its effectiveness in preventing and managing depression (Sport England, 2023).
Our ActivSport programme is designed to be accessible and fun, offering a range of different sports for people to try. Although many of the sessions are competitive the emphasis is on having fun, improving fitness and connecting with new friends through sport. Connection with other people and physical activity is known to help people improve their mental health. The positive benefits of exercise cannot be underestimated.
Find out more about our ActivSport programme here: https://activlives.org.uk/activsports/
ActivLives also provides a variety of other positive activity opportunities, for example at the community gardens we have Grow Your Future coming up later this year, this is aimed at anyone over 16 years old and who is unemployed or economically inactive, and not engaging in education or training. The 12 week course will focus on gardening, horticulture and nature conservation and is certainly worth taking a look into if you need a change of direction.
Find out more about Grow Your Future here: https://activlives.org.uk/activgardens/grow-your-future/
There is so much going on at ActivLives, you really are spoilt for choice of what to get involved in. If gardening or sport isn’t your thing then why not check out our specialist hubs. These are friendly groups that get together once a week to enjoy a craft session or activity, some sessions even provide lunch. They are a great way to meet new people and add some variety into your day!
Find out more about our ActivHubs here: https://activlives.org.uk/activhubs/
We also run singing sessions, singing is known to have beneficial impacts on people’s physical and mental health. Singing floods the brain with healthy chemicals, which gives a natural ‘high’, it also improves concentration, aids ‘muscle memory’ and boosts self-confidence and self-awareness.
Find out more about ActivSinging here: https://activlives.org.uk/activsingers/
Whatever activity you decide to take part in you’ll be sure of a warm welcome here at ActivLives, our motto is ActivLives changes lives and that is what were always aiming to do.