Loneliness is affecting more people in the UK and has had a huge impact on our physical and mental health during the pandemic.

Our connection to other people and our community is fundamental to protecting our mental health and we need to find better ways of tackling loneliness.

Reducing loneliness is a major step towards a mentally healthy society, which is why it is the focus of MHAW2022.

Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, cabinet member for public health and wellbeing said: “Connecting to other people and loved ones is incredibly beneficial in combatting loneliness and supporting our mental health and wellbeing.

“There are many different events and activities for you to get involved in across Warrington and local and national resources can be found on Warrington’s Happy? Ok? Sad? website all year round.

“You can also get involved this week by following the online self-care menu with activities and goals for each day, focused on the five steps to mental wellbeing - to be mindful, learn, be kind, move and connect.”

You can get involved in events this week:

Monday 9 May

• Community coffee, tea and cake event, 10.30am-12.30pm at Rixton with Glazebrook Community Hall – includes sitting yoga (run by Warrington Voluntary Action)
• PAUSE listening space, 11am-4pm at The Gateway, Sankey Street – a safe space to freely talk about mental health

Tuesday 10 May

• Renew with a brew, 11am-1pm at Latchford Baptist Church Wellbeing Café – free weekly wellbeing café for all adults (run by Warrington Voluntary Action)
• Pop-up PAUSE at The Engine Rooms, 9am-2pm at Birchwood Park

Wednesday 11 May

• Chat Café Glazebury Village, 9am-11am at The Scout Hut, Warrington Road – a community chat group (run by Warrington Voluntary Action)
• PAUSE listening space, 11am-4pm at The Gateway, Sankey Street

Thursday 12 May

• Westy Children’s Centre coffee morning, 9am-10.30am at Westy Children’s Centre, Tinsley Street – all welcome for free tea, coffee and toast with a friendly chat (run by Torus, centre staff and schools)
• Pop Up PAUSE ‘Talking Well’, 10am-12noon at The Encounter Centre, Birchwood

Friday 13 May

• Little Stars Children’s Centre coffee morning, 9am-10.30am at Little Stars Children’s Centre, Boulting Avenue – all welcome for free tea, coffee and toast with a friendly chat (run by Torus, centre staff and school)

• Long-Covid face to face self-help group, 1.30pm-3pm at the Centre for Independent Living, Beaufort Street (run by Warrington Disability Partnership)

Booking required – email longcovid@disabilitypartnership.org.uk or 01925 240064

• Long-Covid online self-help group, 11am-2.30pm (run by Warrington Disability Partnership)

Booking required – email longcovid@disabilitypartnership.org.uk or call 01925 240064

• PAUSE listening space, 11am-4pm at The Gateway, Sankey Street
• Get Warrington Talking wellbeing event, 10am – 2pm at The Old Marketplace, Golden Square – hula hooping and circus skills, focusing on five ways to wellbeing

You can find local and national services and resources at any time at happyoksad.warrington.gov.uk or find help from the NHS at nhs.uk/every-mind-matters

Notes to editors:

• Mental Health Awareness Week 2022 is hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, covering England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. For more information, visit mentalhealth.org.uk
• The NHS Every Mind Matters campaign is part of their Better Health campaign, which also includes losing weight, quitting smoking, getting active and drinking less. Find out more: nhs.uk/better-health