Spalding group members running towards better mental health

A group set up to help people get into running while promoting positive mental health is reaching out for new members.

Vanessa Browning originally set up the Community Mind Matters Running Group in Spalding six years ago – after finding how running benefited her own mental health.

But once Covid hit, the group was put on pause and organisers want to spread the word that they are back.

They meet at the running track at the Castle Sports Centre in Spalding on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6-7pm and it’s open to everyone – whether or not they have run before.

Vanessa, who has spoken openly in the past about her own experiences with mental health (brought on by post traumatic stress disorder), said: “The reason I started the group was, for me, I found it very difficult going into buildings and this is being outside in the open. It is just encouraging people to not put pressure on themselves.

“I think sometimes fitness can be pressurised, whereas if you come here – if you just run a lap it’s okay. We would like to in the future do a challenge, do a 5km or something, but at the moment it is just ‘come for a walk, come for a chat.’ It is just light-hearted.

“I used running after I had my breakdown. After a run I felt like a completely different person – so running was part of my recovery.”

Emma Rose runs the sessions with Vanessa, which are free of charge at the Castle Sports running track.

“I thought it was a great idea,” Emma said. “I think it is just about getting people out.

“When you have mental health problems it’s hard to take that first step so this is an ideal group where anybody can come and you can be whatever age – a man or woman.

“Anybody can come along and just get out there and it’s just that first little step where you are supported and feel you are in a safe group.

“Rather than going out there on your own there is always someone to talk to and chat to if it’s something you want to do – whether you want to run, you want to walk, whether you want to do a marathon – come along and we’re here to support you.”

Weather permitting, the group offers a light, guided meditation at the end of the sessions.

As well as volunteering with the group, Emma also helps people in her professional career as a clinical hypnotherapist and psychotherapist, running Inspired to Change Spalding.

Vanessa added: “We will not be pressurising anybody to talk about mental health.

“It’s not about that. If anybody with mental health issues wants to come and support what we do, that’s what we’re looking for. We’re looking for support. We’re also looking for a man coach.

“If someone wants to come and lead a run just for men then I’m happy to do that. We want this to grow a little bit and do those little challenges. I’d love to do a 5k. It’s just about getting people exercising and out of the house.

“We want to get the word back out there again because I think everything’s gone a bit down since Covid. We want to promote this to hopefully get more people to come.”

Group member Janet Morris (63), from Spalding, has also benefited from joining the running group. She said: “It has helped me. It boosts your energy levels and you look at life a lot better.

“Give it a go. There can be the apprehension of going out and meeting new people but once you are there, you forget all about it.”

You can find out more about the Community Mind Matters Running Group on Facebook or call Vanessa on 07376 157004.