Since 2001, the Mental Health Foundation has championed Mental Health Awareness Week, which unites communities across the UK in a shared mission to promote good mental health. Millions of people, schools, businesses and healthcare providers come together every May to raise awareness and promote better mental health for everyone.
In 2024, Mental Health Awareness Week will focus on the positive impact of physical activity on mental well-being. At Trinity Homecare, we are deeply aligned with this vision as we work tirelessly to support our clients’ mental health through compassionate, personalised care.
Whether offering companionship, full-time live-in care or visiting care services, our bespoke care improves mental well-being through better mobility, social engagement and emotional support.
What is Mental Health Awareness Week?
Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) is a week dedicated to raising awareness of mental health and mental health problems in the UK. It has been run by the Mental Health Foundation since 2001 and is growing in popularity year after year, with the public, large corporations and various charities now getting involved. The ultimate goal of MHAW is to increase awareness of mental health and inspire action in people across the UK.
What is this year’s focus of Mental Health Awareness Week?
This year focuses on the benefits of moving more for mental health. Regular physical activity is known to improve mental well-being, reduce anxiety and depression and enhance overall quality of life. It also offers numerous physical health benefits, helping to prevent and manage conditions like heart disease, stroke and diabetes. However, despite these established benefits, over a third of UK adults still do not meet the recommended activity levels.
In their latest report, the Mental Health Foundation explores what’s stopping the UK population from being more active and what can be done to encourage people to move more for their mental health. The campaign hopes to inspire communities to overcome barriers and prioritise physical activity as a powerful tool for mental and physical well-being.
What are Trinity Homecare doing about mental health?
- We have trained mental health champions in our workforce – our amazing team members raise awareness amongst staff, clients, the community and beyond through various events and charity work. All whilst providing support for those who need it… what a bunch!
- We provide free access to Abbey Helpline to offer all our staff a free counselling service – we do our very best to ensure all our staff have a great overall mental well-being. To provide the best care for our clients, we need to provide the best care for our staff. That’s why we are committed to providing mental health services that can benefit our team.
- Signed up to the Time To Change employer pledge – we want to change attitudes and behaviour towards mental health and defeat the stigma that surrounds it. We strongly believe in all the Time To Change values and we support all of our staff to concern their issues around mental health to create awareness amongst our team and beyond.
Supporting our clients
Our dedicated carers love to put a smile on the faces of our clients through compassionate care. We know how much of an impact we can have on our clients’ days, so we do everything in our power to boost their mood whenever we provide care, whether that be companionship, full-time live-in care or visiting care services.
We closely monitor our clients’ mental health for changes in mood to ensure we can do everything in our power to improve it. We quickly respond to changing needs and are committed to the people we care for.
The compassionate staff who go the extra mile at Trinity Homecare are what make us the ‘Outstanding rated’ team that we are. This applies to everyone on our team, including those behind the scenes who work hard every day so that our clients can live the lives they want to in the comfort of their own homes.
Those behind the scenes? They include the exceptional management team, our specialist recruiters, trainers, finance staff, those in IT and more. Together, they make the perfect backing for our fantastic frontline team of care managers, team leaders, care coordinators, senior carers and care workers across every one of our services.
We are committed to supporting our employees with issues concerning mental health, and several processes have been put in place to promote positive mental well-being at work. We also actively encourage our team members to share their thoughts and feelings. Because of this, our team is more confident about making managers and colleagues aware of their experiences both inside and outside of the workplace.
Simple tips for moving more
Here are some simple yet effective ways to incorporate more movement into your daily life. Try some of these tips to boost both your physical and mental well-being:
- Take regular breaks: If you’re sitting for long periods, try to stand up, stretch or take a short walk every hour. Even gentle movements like rolling your shoulders or stretching your arms can make a difference.
- Walk when possible: For short distances, try walking instead of driving. If stairs aren’t an option, even walking in place or around the house can keep you moving.
- Incorporate movement into daily tasks: Turn routine chores into opportunities for movement. For example, do gentle stretches while watching TV or stand up and move around while talking on the phone.
- Try short, gentle home exercises: A 5-10 minute session of simple exercises, like seated yoga, stretching or walking, can greatly improve both mood and mobility.
- Exercise with a companion: Exercising with a friend, family member or carer can make it more enjoyable and provide motivation to keep going. Even a leisurely walk together can boost your mood.
- Set small, achievable goals: Start with easy-to-reach goals, such as walking for 10 minutes or doing simple stretches twice a day. Gradually increase your activity level at a pace that feels comfortable.
How can I get involved in Mental Health Awareness Week?
This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week focuses on the benefits of movement for mental well-being. The best way to get involved is to simply start moving! Whether it’s a daily walk, stretching or trying a new activity, any form of physical movement can have a positive impact on both your body and mind.
If you’re already active, try encouraging others to move with you — invite a friend for a walk or share a new workout. Even small changes in activity can make a big difference to someone’s day.
There are many ways to get involved in Mental Health Awareness Week and support the campaign to improve mental health across the UK.
Here’s how you can get involved:
- Spread the word: Raise awareness by talking about Mental Health Awareness Week with friends, family or colleagues.
- Get active and fundraise: Organise or take part in physical activities like walking, running, or cycling challenges to raise funds for mental health services. You can set up a fundraising page and invite others to sponsor your efforts.
- Share your story: If physical activity has positively impacted your mental health, share your experience on social media or within your community. Be sure to use hashtags like #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek and #MoveForMentalHealth.
- Participate in online events: Join webinars, online discussions and virtual events hosted by the Mental Health Foundation or other organisations. These events are a great way to learn more about mental health, connect with others and find inspiration to stay active.
Trinity Homecare support mental health
Mental illness can often be as limiting as physical illness, affecting a person’s lifestyle and overall well-being. At Trinity Homecare, we understand the profound impact that positive mental health can have on our clients. We are committed to providing compassionate, holistic care that addresses both emotional and physical needs.
If you’re seeking compassionate home care that encourages an active lifestyle while allowing you to remain in the comfort of your own home, contact us today. A friendly member of our team will be happy to answer any questions you have.