LEISURE centres in Reading are partnering with Sport in Mind to join its seasonal campaign in support of people’s mental health.
Soles of the Season is an initiative aimed at counteracting the detrimental effect that winter weather can have on mental health and exacerbate struggles with keeping active.
To offer support and uplift the community, Reading’s leisure centres will display Soles of the Season Christmas trees throughout December, each decorated with handwritten “messages of hope” created by local people, community groups, and centre staff.
Every message is written on a Soles of the Season gift tag, a symbol of taking positive steps forward during difficult times.
Visitors are invited to take a message, leave one of their own, or simply pause and reflect.
The initiative forms part of Sport in Mind’s wider Soles of the Season Appeal, a national campaign encouraging the public to “step up” for mental health by supporting the charity’s free, life-changing sports and activity programmes delivered in partnership with the NHS.
It comes after Sport in Mind released figures last week that showed that darker evenings had a negative impact on more than half of the charity’s participants who were surveyed (55%) and more than two-thirds said that shorter days reduced motivation to stay active.
This can lead to disrupted routines, isolation, and financial pressure, which can all contribute to emotional and mental strain.
Neil Harris, Founder and CEO of Sport in Mind, said:
“Soles of the Season is about bringing kindness, hope, and community spirit to people who may be
finding things tough. Here in Reading, we’ve seen how powerful it is when the community comes
together. Even a simple message can help someone take a positive step forward, and we’re proud to
work with local leisure centres to support the wellbeing of residents.”
