As a small local charity we’re always very humbled by the support we receive from the local community. One event which continues to receive a huge amount of support is our annual Fun Run and Walk.
We think it’s really important to promote mental health positively and the ultimate aim of the event is to get as many people together, from all walks of life, to promote and raise awareness of the issues surrounding mental ill-health. Volunteers are at the heart of the day – there are a group of volunteers who put in many hours helping to plan and organise the event and then there is the team that come together on the day to help with the many jobs involved with an event of this scale. These volunteers take on roles ranging from marshalling and stewarding, setting up (and clearing up) on the day, helping with registration to the most important job of them all – the Sunday Tea volunteers who help serve (and make) the scrummy tea and cake for runners and walkers!
Pre-registration closed over the weekend and again it looks like it’s going to be a very busy event. This year the Fun Run and Walk takes place on Sunday 25th August in the new location of Cunningsburgh. Although pre-registration has now closed you can still take part on the day - find out more by visiting the Fun Run 2013 section of our website.
Volunteers are important in many aspects of our work. Over recent months, for example, we have been working with a number of local volunteers on a new project, which will be launched in the autumn. The project is called ‘Real Life Stories’ and as part of this local people, with lived experience of mental health, have shared their stories with us. We have already shared one story at our Young People and Mental Health Focus Day in June and the remainder will be shared widely either via posters, the local media or online.
Volunteers have also been involved in some of our youth initiatives and we are hoping to have more young people involved in a new project, which we will launch after the school break - ‘Minders’ will provide young people with the opportunity to assist us with awareness raising campaigns and at the same time develop their own skills.
There are many ways to get involved with Mind Your Head on a voluntary basis. We will have details of various volunteering opportunities advertised at our AGM in September. If you would like to find out more or if you have an idea that you would like to discuss with the team then contact them or telephone 01595 745035.
