An event was held to show how people can improve mental health through exercise at a leisure centre in Reading.
A group of organisations came together for the session held at Rivermead Leisure Centre.
Speeches came from NHS practitioners and private health initiatives.
Steph Smith from Better Leisure, which runs Reading Borough Council’s leisure centres, told participants about the range of discounts for exercise and swimming sessions.
Charlotte Alchin, from Green Health Thames Valley, spoke about the benefits of gardening activities for mental wellbeing.
James Momoh, from NHS Talking Therapies, spoke about how depression can sap a person’s energy, and how ’embedding exercise’ into daily routines could improve energy levels and reduce stress.
Mark Dibben, from Compass Recovery College, told participants about the workshops his team provides, which include courses on psychoeducation, wellbeing workshops and drop-in sessions.
The Recovery College is a mental health and wellbeing organisation based in Reading, Berkshire, UK, commissioned by Reading Borough Council.
At the end of the event, guests took part in an exercise session held by Nadine Demontfaucon, a fitness instructor working for Better leisure.
The event was held as part of Mental Health Awareness Week on Friday, May 17.
It was attended by Andre Silva service and oversight project manager at Together for Mental Health and Wellbeing, an organisation which devised a free public art exhibition during the week.
Mr Silva spoke about the community-based services its provides for people in Reading and the Berkshire West area.
The mental health through exercise event was organised by the Reading Community Health Champions, a group which was formed following the pandemic.
Initially the vaccine champions, an initiative run by Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality (ACRE) volunteers discovered that residents in Reading desired support and information on a wide range of health issues, not just coronavirus.
George Matthew from ACRE said: “The key idea was not to try and persuade people to try and get the vaccine, it was just to give the information about where to go to get the vaccine if they wanted.
“After six months uptake of the vaccines went up.
“When the champions were talking to the residents, those residents started talking about other issues, such as mental health, diabetes, diet and more.”
Now the Community Health Champions run outreach events, signpost those in need to health services, and provide evidence-based information or advice that is NHS approved or Public Health approved.
If you are interested in becoming a Community Health Champion, you can sign up on the council website: https://www.reading.gov.uk/adult-care/public-health-and-wellbeing/community-health-champions/
