Mental wellbeing doesn’t have one set meaning. We might use it to talk about how we feel, how well we’re coping with daily life, or what feels possible at that given moment. Good mental wellbeing doesn’t mean that you’re always happy, or that you’re unaffected by your experiences.
Evidence suggests that there are 5 steps we can take to improve our mental wellbeing:
Connect with others — This can help us to build a sense of belonging and self-worth, whilst providing emotional support.
Be physically active — Being active is not only great for physical health and fitness, but can also help us set goals and challenges, whilst boosting our mood.
Learn new skills — Learning new skills can boost our self-confidence, raise our self-esteem, and help us to build a sense of purpose.
Give to others — Acts of giving and kindness can create positive feelings and a sense of reward and self-worth.
Pay attention to the present moment — Paying more attention to the present moment and practicing mindfulness can positively change the way we feel about life and how we approach challenges.
At Devon Mind, we want to be able to offer a variety of additional activities to our clients, providing exposure to the 5 steps above, that can, in turn, promote positive mental and physical wellbeing. Below is a menu of current activities, some of which are run solely by Devon Mind, others in collaboration with other partner organisations, and some from wider local community groups. Keep an eye on this page as we look to develop further activities across the county.
Upcoming activities:
The following is a full calendar list of our current upcoming activities in partnership with other local organisations. Please click on the button of the activity in which you’re interested, where you can find out more information and book your place.
Mindful Movement — Walk & Talk
Weekly walks every Thursday at 12 noon
Accessible walk and talk sessions at Central Park Plymouth, in partnership with Argyle Community Trust.
Other endorsed activities:
Exeter Wellbeing Walk — Step One
Accessible 3-mile Exeter walk, designed to support anyone in the community looking to increase their activity levels and build connections with others and the environment.
Fortnightly on Wednesdays from 10:45am at the X Centre, Commercial Road, Exeter, EX2 4AD
Upcoming dates: September 25, October 9 and 23, November 6 and 20
Torquay Wellbeing Walk — Step One
Accessible 2.2-mile Babbacombe walk, designed to support anyone in the community looking to increase their activity levels and build connections with others and the environment.
Fortnightly on Fridays from 2:00pm at Cary Park Tennis Club, Torquay TQ1 3QT
Upcoming dates: September 13 and 27
Torquay Wellbeing Walk — Step One
Accessible 2.7-mile Torre Abbey walk, designed to support anyone in the community looking to increase their activity levels and build connections with others and the environment.
Fortnightly on Fridays from 2:00pm at the Spanish Barn, The King’s Drive, Torquay TQ2 5JE
Upcoming dates: September 6 and 20, October 4 and 18
Waterfront Running Club — Plymouth University
Waterfront Running Club aims to encourage fitness and socialisation in a non-competitive environment. Their vision is to create a safe, friendly environment for people to be able to exercise and feel confident, ultimately boosting mental health and decreasing stress.
Weekly sessions include a wellbeing walk, a 2km couch to 5km session, and a 5km steady jog/run. The club is mental health-orientated and offers a space for motivation and support for students through both their fitness journey and the difficulties of university life.
Coast Path Connector Project — South West Coast Path Association
A series of guided walks across Plymouth, Torbay, and North Devon.
Biweekly wellbeing short walks designed to connect you to the beauty of the Coast Path around Plymouth. Starting Thursday 26 September 2024, 11:00am at Mayflower Steps, Barbican. You can find out more here.
RC Running Club — Ricky Callow PT
RC Running Club believes that running is more than just a physical activity, it's a lifestyle that brings people together, fosters personal growth, and promotes overall wellbeing.
Whether you're a seasoned marathoner or a beginner taking your first strides, you'll find a supportive environment that embraces runners of all abilities and experience levels.
The club offers members: weekly outdoor runs, running programmes, Facebook and Strava community group access, race event support, and social meetings. The club currently meets every Friday at 6:30pm.
We are always looking to build new connections and collaborate with other local community groups and organisations. If you would be interested in discussing your wellbeing activities with us, please feel free to get in touch with us at hello@devonmind.com.