Stockport Moves for Mental Health Awareness Week

Movement is important for our mental health. But so many of us struggle to move enough. We know there are many different reasons for this, so this Mental Health Awareness Week we want to help people to find moments for movement in their daily routines. This links well with our Stockport Moving Together initiative, which encourages people of Stockport to move in a way that suits them, whether that's putting on your favourite music and dancing around the kitchen, chair exercises when you’re watching television, heel raises whilst waiting for the kettle to boil or joining a group walk, it all counts!

This year, groups and organisations in Stockport and Greater Manchester are offering free events, resources and online courses, these include:

• Monday May 13th 12:15-12:45 Free Zoom Yoga Workshop (online)- Book here
• Tuesday May 14th 11:00-1:00 Stockport Mental Health Pop Up Stand at Viaduct Park
• Wednesday May 15th Mindfulness stroll to Viaduct Park, meeting at Life Leisure Grand central 12:30 start. Just turn up or for more information contact - [mailto:Lisa.arrandale@lifeleisure.net]
• Wednesday May 15th Community Yoga @ Upward Frog CIC Studio 10:30-12:00 – book here
• Wednesday May 15th Yoga for all in Viaduct Park 12:15-12:45 book here
• Thursday May 16th 12:15-12:45 Qigong in Viaduct Park book here
• Healthy Minds Greater Manchester is a free mental health and wellbeing online course available to residents in Stockport. The one hour online course encourages you to take a proactive approach to caring for your mental health and wellbeing. The course can be accessed now, without needing to register, on the Royal Society for Public Health’s website. Access the course and start feeling better today.
• Beacon Counselling is celebrating 40 years of supporting the mental health and wellbeing of people in and around Stockport. Visit them at their week long (Mon-Sun) pop up stand for mindful activities that create and celebrate connections as well as offering a space to chat, get support and advice.
• BOOST has a full programme of sessions – supporting mental health with physical activity. There’s something for everyone. Visit www.boostgm.com/sessions
• During the week Life Leisure are running a school colouring competition where submissions will be entered into a draw to win family activity passes with Life Leisure and a day’s physical activity for one school. Contact Hanahbowler@lifeleisure to enter your school.

There is help and support for young people too as exam season approaches, it’s normal for young people to feel worried and the anxiety can also affect parents and carers too. Useful exam tips and advice can be found on the NHS website. One of the tips is to move more during this time, exercise can help boost energy levels, clear the mind, and relieve stress. It does not matter what it is – walking, cycling, swimming, football and dancing are all effective.

Kooth offers free, safe and anonymous online support including a live chat option for Greater Manchester students aged 11-18. Qwell offers free, online mental wellbeing support for those over 18.

The Family Hubs website has lots of information and resources to support families mental health and in many other areas. Visit Family Hubs for more information.