The club joined forces with our good friends at Diamond Runners to promote Mental Health Awareness week at Irchester Country Park Parkrun. Lee from W&DAC and Rob, a Mental Health Ambassador, from Diamond Runners ran and talked to participants about running and promoting good mental health.
“We take mental health seriously across our sport. Our #RunAndTalk programme, part of #RunTogether
and delivered in partnership with Mind, focuses on improving mental well-being through running by encouraging open
conversations, reducing stigma, and supporting people to start, return to, or continue running. The week also highlights that taking action doesn’t need to be complex: moving your body, listening without judgement, or talking while runningcan all have a powerful impact.
The theme for Mental Health Awareness Week in May 2026 is Action, encouraging people to take meaningful
steps to support good mental health. Awareness is essential, but change happens when we act — checking in with
someone, taking time for ourselves, starting a conversation, or choosing to share our experiences. Even small actions can make a real difference.
Champions and Ambassadors: Our 400+ Mental Health Champions and 13 Ambassadors across Clubs and RunTogether groups play a vital role in promoting mental wellbeing, offering support, and making running more accessible and inclusive. They see firsthand how simple actions such as a chat, a listening ear, or running alongside someone, can build confidence, foster connection, and support better mental health. These everyday moments are often where meaningful change begins.