Mental Health Mates
Peer to peer support via community walk and talks, to help people connect without fear of judgement.
5 step guide
Read the guide to start your own Mental Health Mates
5 step guide
Read the guide to start your own Mental Health Mates
Register to Become a Walk Leader
Please check our website to make sure there isn't already a walk in your local area. Then if there isn't email [email protected] with the following:
- Name
- Address
- Phone Number
- Area you plan to start your walk
We will then set you up as a Walk Leader, providing any additional guidance or support you might need and you can get started.
Create your Own MHM Email Address
We encourage you to create your own MHM email (e.g. [email protected]) for the walks so that you won’t have to share your personal information. You can create your MHM email address with yahoo, hotmail or gmail and share it with us.
Complete the MHM Walk Leader Training
Once the above steps are completed we will set you up on our MHM Walk Leader training created for us by SHOUT85258.
We will send an invite to your MHM email address inviting you to log in to our online portal (do check your junk) where you will find our training. Please try and complete this as soon as possible (it should only take 4-6hours).
Choose the Location, Date & Time of your First Walk
TIPS:
- Decide on a location that is easy to get to, for example, locations that have good public transport links, clear signage or an accessible central meeting point like a cafe.
- Walks are done by timing not distance. We always say aim for a 1 hour walk based on a moderate pace.
- Make sure your location is accessible for all, including wheelchairs and pushchairs.
- We suggest planning your walks for weekend mornings or weekday evenings due to MHM member’s work scheduling/childcare or medical appointments.
Create & Share Your Poster
With your new email address, send us your chosen location, date, time and poster to [email protected]. We can then advertise your walk or meet up on our website and social channels.
We have a selection of posters for you to add your information to – to access our Poster Guide click here and email us to be sent the link of templates
TIPS:
- You are welcome to print your posters and share them at local places such as town halls, libraries, hairdressers, doctor’s surgeries, or local cafe’s. You might also want to contact your local newspaper or find a local publication or community group who will want to promote your Walk.
About Mental Health Mates
"Mental Health Mates has had a hugely positive impact on my life. I’ll never forget the day I went along to my first walk and got talking to a girl who was clearly having a difficult time. I connected, I resonated, I realised that I was experiencing something similar, I realised I wasn’t alone. I think that was pretty significant.You could say that the confidence to talk and share has led me to today, aiding me to getting a specific diagnosis for my Mental Health Condition.I’m really proud to be a Walk Leader. It’s been almost two years and every meet up, I’m just immensely proud of the members who show courage and determination to come outside of their comfort zone and get involved and talk. It really is humbling to see and I feel very proud."
Great for
- Anyone above the age of 18
- Someone who wants to bring people in the community together
- Someone who is excited about the opportunity of getting outside for mental health
- Someone who wants to connect
Time
Suggested: You'll need to organise and partake in at least 1x 1 hour walk per month (though you are welcome to organise more than that). The training to get started will take about 4-6hours (online)
Resource checklist
- Walk Leader Guide
- Code of Conduct
- Poster Guide
- Safeguarding Toolkit
- Online Walk Leader Training