It’s World Mental Health Day (10 October 2024). This year’s theme is workplace mental health, highlighting the importance of addressing mental health and wellbeing in the workplace for the benefit of people, organisations and the wider community.
At Campaign Collective, mental health and wellbeing are a regular topic of discussion. We’re proud of the network of supportive members that we’ve built – we check in with one another regularly to offer support, and take a survey of our members’ wellbeing each year to try and identify and resolve any issues that might be affecting mental health and wellbeing. We also share with each other the things that support our own mental health, be it time with family and beloved pets, a walk in the mountains, or a book or podcast that really resonated with us.
Nancy Platts, Campaign Collective member, shared how running in and volunteering at your local parkrun can be a great support to your mental and physical health:
“Confessing to a friend one day back in 2015 that I was worrying so much about things that I was having trouble sleeping led to him recommending running. He said it was a good way to de-stress and keep life in perspective.
“I was surprised to find that once I could run a few kilometres, I loved it. I am very lucky to live by the sea which is a huge motivator. You see the sea in all its moods and running in stormy weather along the coastline is exhilarating!
“Having achieved my 5k running goal, I was on the lookout for a new challenge when I discovered parkrun. It is a free 5k event that takes place in hundreds of locations around the world every single Saturday.
“A new parkrun was about to start at Hove Promenade and I went along with a slight feeling of trepidation. I’d never run with other people before – what if I came last? It turned out that coming last is a universal worry so each parkrun has a Tail Walker whose job it is to come last.
“I found the volunteers really friendly and soon learned that parkrun happens because walkers and runners take turns volunteering.
“Parkrun is all about building a community and volunteering is a great way to meet new people and make friends. Research shows: ‘Those who run/walk and volunteer reported interacting with more people each week (both known and previously unknown individuals), compared to runners/walkers.’
“The researchers also found that parkrun is good for your mental health: ‘It is clear that participation in parkrun has wide ranging benefits, but that they might be greatest for those who walk or run as well as volunteer, especially if people are living with a mental health condition.’
“Parkrun is a good habit formed. Nine years on from my first parkrun, I’ve clocked up 130 runs at 23 locations and volunteered 164 times. I’ve become a volunteer event ambassador and now help teams to set up new events.
“Parkrun has become an anchor point and my weekly tonic – a way to leave the troubles of the world behind and enjoy being out in the fresh air with friends.
“If you haven’t tried a parkrun yet, register here and pop down to your local event this Saturday. You will always get a warm welcome.”
–
Nancy Platts is a member of Campaign Collective