Step out for mental health this spring!
Why not put your best foot forward for mental health this May by taking on Norfolk and Waveney Mind’s 10 Million Steps challenge?
Starting in Mental Health Awareness Week (May 13th – 19th) and lasting for the rest of the month, our new fundraising challenge will see people all over Norfolk and Waveney pledge to walk a set number of steps per day, with the participants’ combined total exceeding 10 million. Our theme for this Mental Health Week is ‘No Mind Left Behind’, and this challenge is an easy way to raise money to ensure people experiencing poor mental health get the support they need. You just select a daily target that feels right for you, and make sure you track your steps on your phone or a step-counting device.
10 Million Steps is a great way to support other people’s mental health while boosting your own. Physical exercise is proven to help improve mental health, and there’s no simpler way of exercising than going for a daily walk. You’ll be raising much-needed funds for mental health services in Norfolk and Waveney, while improving your own physical health and mental wellbeing.
How you can join the challenge
We’re looking for individuals, teams, and companies to sign up to our step challenge. You can walk, run, jog, skip, or hop your way to your step target: all your steps will go towards our goal of achieving 10 Million Steps for better mental health.
First, decide how many steps you want to do per day, depending on your fitness: 15,000 steps, 10,000 steps, 5,000 steps or 2,500 steps.
Then all you have to do is…
- Join our 10 Million Step Challenge Private Facebook Group here
- Setup your Facebook fundraiser page or JustGiving page here
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Take on the challenge – you’ll be part of a team encouraging each other on throughout the month!
What you'll get:
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Raise £100 and you get a Norfolk and Waveney Mind T-shirt
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A wellbeing tracker to show your progress
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Access to a super-friendly Facebook group to support you along the way
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Tips and benefits from people taking part
Why is walking good for us?
A brisk daily walk can bring the following benefits:
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Better circulation – walking can help prevent heart disease, lower blood pressure and strengthen the heart.
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Stronger bones – studies suggest it can stop the loss of bone mass for people with osteoporosis.
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A longer life – people who exercise regularly in their fifties and sixties are 35% less likely to die over the next eight years than their non-walking counterparts, research shows.
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Improved mood – walking releases natural painkilling endorphins to the body that lift our mood.
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Weight loss – a brisk 30-minute walk burns 200 calories, and over time this can help us lose weight.
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Stronger muscles and joints – walking tones your leg, abdominal and arm muscles (if you swing your arms as you walk) and helps lubricate your joints.
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Better sleep – studies have shown that women aged over 50 who took one-hour morning walks were less likely to have insomnia.
FAQ'S
We have some useful FAQs below, if you still have some questions please email our friendly fundraising team at fundraising@norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk
What is 10 Million Steps?
10 Million Steps is Norfolk and Waveney Mind’s fundraising challenge for May 2024. We are asking all participants to walk a set amount per day between May 13th-31st and aim to raise at least £100 in sponsorship. It is a great way to support other people’s mental health while boosting your own.
How should I track my steps?
You can use a pedometer, smartphone app, or fitness tracker to monitor your daily steps. If you're taking part as a team, we recommend downloading the app Pacer and creating a challenge where you can all monitor each other’s daily steps and strive towards a goal together!
What do I need to do apart from walk?
Please post your daily updates on the Facebook group or your JustGiving page to see how close we are to reaching the 10 million steps target.
I don't have Facebook – can I still take part?
Yes, of course. We suggest you set up a JustGiving page here, and click on the orange ‘Start Fundraising’ button.
Do you have any resources I can share?
Yes, we have some social media graphics you can share here.
What will you do with the money I raise?
All money raised will go towards helping Norfolk and Waveney Mind deliver essential services to ensure no one in our region has to face poor mental health alone.
What about safety?
Please assess your ability and safety before you participate, and choose the right number of steps for you. Take a read of our T&Cs and safety guidance before taking on this challenge.
What is Mental Health Awareness Week?
Since it was founded in 2001, Mental Health Awareness Week has been an annual opportunity for the UK to focus on getting good mental health. The week, which runs this year from May 13 to 19, aims to tackle stigma and help people understand and prioritise their and others' mental health.
What is the No Mind Left Behind campaign?
This year national and local branches of Mind are using #NoMindLeftBehind as call to action to raise awareness and vital funds for a society where everyone can get quality mental health care when they need it.
Every year, one in four of us will experience a mental health problem. Many people are speaking more openly about their own experiences and seeking support. But there are still so many people urgently waiting, not getting the help they need.
An estimated 2 million people are on waiting lists for NHS mental health services. Since 2017, the number of young people struggling with their mental health has nearly doubled. People tell us they feel overwhelmed and hopeless, that things will never change.
That’s why for Mental Health Awareness Week 2024, we’re launching #NoMindLeftBehind and calling on everyone to raise awareness and vital funds.
Together, we can make sure that no mind is left behind.
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