West Midlands Walking Out Of Darkness – got the T-shirt?
Published: Thursday 27 Apr 2017
Ten days left to register for West Midlands Walking Out Of Darkness - time to get the T-shirt now, say supporters.
West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is helping to stage this first event in the region, along with partner organisations from the charity and business sector - Kaleidoscope Group Plus and Legal & General.
In January WMCA Mental Health Commission, chaired by Norman Lamb MP, launched its ambitious programme to improve mental health outcomes in the region - Thrive West Midlands.
Steve Gilbert is the serious mental illness living experience consultant to Thrive West Midlands
Steven Gilbert is the serious mental illness living experience consultant to Thrive West Midlands and programme lead for the engager prison project.
Today he urged people to take the opportunity to walk and talk together in the cause of mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
Steve said: I would urge everyone to come along and show support for this incredibly important cause - meet people and learn about support and services available
The West Midlands walk is from Eastside City Park to Cannon Hill Park, starting at 10am on Saturday May 6, marking the start of UK Mental Health Awareness Week (May 8-12). London's event, the following Saturday, marks the end of that week.
Walking Out of Darkness aims to unite individuals, the community, government, charity and business sectors in encouraging people to end the stigma of mental ill health by ‘walking and talking '.
The walk starts at 10am in Eastside City Park, then follows a route along Birmingham's canal towpaths, and culminates in a festival of mental health and wellbeing at Cannon Hill Park, where there will be a chance to chat and a showcase of mental health and wellbeing services and support networks.
Registration to walk costs £10 for adults and is free of charge for under-12s, who must be accompanied by an adult.
Exhibition space, free of charge, is also available for the Mental Health & Wellbeing Festival in Cannon Hill Park on the day. This will be an excellent platform to promote mental health information and services.
Potential exhibitors should get in touch now to secure a spot, as stand spaces are limited - forms can be requested from Paul.Sanderson@phe.gov.uk
Everyone can find out more and register to walk at Walking Out Of Darkness and people can walk to raise funds for any cause they choose.