This year on Wednesday 29th July we’ll be filling Fargate with stalls, activities, games and even stilt walkers! Three months ahead of World Mental Health Day we will bring together organisations and charities from across the city in a celebration of wellbeing and the wonderful range of services those organisations offer people who are experiencing mental health problems and their carers. We’ll also be promoting the steps we can all take to enhance and safeguard our own mental health and wellbeing – just as important as eating your 5-a-day.

One in four of us will experience a mental health problem at some point and so the services that support people in those times are vitally important, however all too often these services are unsung so it’s time to sing loud! The festival will see Fargate brimming with stalls offering information on their services, volunteering opportunities and much, much more. From 11am we’ll also be offering free taster sessions for fun, healthy activities that the whole family can enjoy from Zumba to dancing, as well as a free facepainter for the young, and young at heart.

We’ll also be joined by Sheffield City Council’s Little Library which will be offering children’s activities and workshops throughout the day as well as the Activity Sheffield team who will have equipment on hand for you to try out all day.

Councilor Mary Lea, Sheffield City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Independent Living, said: “We are really pleased to be supporting the Wellbeing Festival and it is important that it is focusing on mental health. For many years people often found it difficult to talk about mental health problems even though it is something that affects many people and impacts greatly on overall health and wellbeing. Thankfully, here in Sheffield there is a lot of support for people – this day really will show how people can get help and show they are not alone. There will be so much going on during the day and anyone can get involved – we hope it is a real success and that many people will benefit.”

As if all that isn’t enough, there will also be music, free health checks, and much more, so what are you waiting for? Get that date in the diary.

For more information contact Sara Hill on 07979 632432 / mentalhealthweek@sheffieldmind.co.uk