The Healthy Minds Project

• A wide variety of community based activities
• Improve your mental and physical wellbeing
• Challenge stigma and discrimination around mental health issues

What is healthy minds ?

Healthy Minds is about creating access to the opportunities for people with personal experience of mental distress to take part in physical activities and sports. Healthy Minds does not work in a vacuum. It is about working with our local community. We work in ways which deliver safe practice around access and inclusion in order to facilitate ongoing engagement with the project by our members.

The Healthy Minds Project (www.movingpeople.org.uk) is one of the 28 Moving People Projects which will involve people with mental health needs in a wide variety of physical activities, improving mental and physical wellbeing, and breaking down the barriers of stigma and discrimination. Moving People is a national anti-discrimination project involving a consortia of MIND, Rethink, Mental Health Media and the Institute of Psychiatry.

What do we do?

We work to encourage all people, (not just those who experience mental distress ) to be more active so that everyone can gain from the benefits that physical activity has on our wellbeing. In this way we try to improve mental and physical wellbeing, and break down the barriers of stigma and discrimination for both individuals and the community.

What is happening?

We deliver a diverse range of community based group exercise and physical activities devised by The Healthy Minds Team, in full consultation with, and meaningful involvement from, members of Brent MIND and the wider community. For example, we are currently setting up a Brent football team and are establishing our ‘Healthy Minds mini gym’ for the exclusive use of our members. We are working with local community and leisure centres to provide mental health equality training, delivered by people with direct experience of distress. We are setting up a range of volunteering and paid work opportunities inclusive of student placements with local further education colleges and universities. We are also working towards becoming an approved provider of Community leadership Awards and providing access to NCFE Level 1 and 2 qualifications in Exercise Studies and sports coaching. These courses will soon be available to any person with direct experience of distress who wants to work with us in order to develop the project alongside obtaining qualifications and work experience. for further information about all of this contact us.

How can I participate?

We work with you to run activities that you tell us you would like to try ….so tell us what you would like to have a go at!

Join the Healthy Minds Steering Group and get involved in running the project. For more information contact us.

"I'm not very sporty!"

You don't have to be ‘sporty' or ‘into fitness' to be active and benefit from the project You might have some fears and anxieties around getting involved in physical activities i.e. medication, disability, existing injuries, cost, travel. You may worry about feeling silly or looking funny. i.e. you may not like wearing short sleeves if you have a history of self harm, you may feel self conscious because of your weight/size and effects of medication on your body image and general confidence. You may not like being in large groups or unfamiliar places, you may worry about medication making you tired or feeling uncomfortable meeting new people, or learning new skills. You may have liked playing games, sport or PE at school and – loved it , or hated it – the Healthy Minds Project understands this. The Team would never expect you to take part in any activities that we would not have a go at ourselves!

The Healthy Minds Project is here to help you and build your confidence

All Healthy Minds tutors and instructors have undergone a tailored programme of mental health equality and awareness training. Many of whom have used mental health services or have personal experience of mental distress.

Who are the Healthy Minds Team?

For further information contact the Healthy Minds team directly (see below):

Sara Stanton
Project Coordinator

Sara has worked in and used mental health services over a number of years. She is passionate about tackling discrimination associated with receiving a psychiatric label. When not at work she is training for 100m and 400m hurdles.

Tel: 020 8451 3200
                                Mobile: 07974 679733
                                Email: sara.stanton@brentmind.com

 
Melanie Purkiss
Outreach Worker

Meanie is the outreach worker in the Healthy Minds Team. She has a background in mental health, psychology and sport and exercise science, and is an international 400m runner in her spare time.

Tel: 020 8451 3200
Mobile: 07974 679 698
                                Email:melanie.purkiss@brentmind.com

Aloyse Raptopoulos
Wellbeing Group worker

Lawrence Okruns
Football Leader

Lukasz Zambrzycki
Badminton and Football Leader, Physio and massage Practitioner

Maria Lake
Keep Fit Instructor

Noor Hussain
Aqua Fit Buddie

Pavli Zdrahal
Aqua Fit Buddie, Swimming Instructor

Sandra Dawson
Wellbeing Group worker

Warren Cox
Tai Chi Instructor

Shira Goodall – Yoga Instructor and wellbeing Group worker

Fergal O'Hagan – Football Coach - photo to follow

Amy soska – Personal Trainer - photo to follow

There are a range of ways to get involved :

• Volunteering and training opportunities
• Obtain qualifications in Community Leadership and other courses you might like to try i.e running, dance, Indian head massage, drama
• Student placements
• Taster Sessions
• Research
• Healthy Minds Steering group
  (culturally sensitive and single sex sessions available)
• Dedicated ‘Healthy Minds’ mini gym staffed by the Healthy Minds team
• Ongoing support, advice and guidance

Join the Healthy Minds Steering Group and get involved in running the project.

We work with you to run activities that you tell us you would like to try so tell us what you would like to have a go at!