Mental Health Awareness Week is observed each year in May, and in 2026 it takes place from 11-17 May.
Good mental health is possible for everyone, and this week provides an opportunity to open up conversations, raise awareness, and most importantly take action to support mental wellbeing in our communities.
The theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 is “Action”. It highlights the importance of moving beyond awareness and making meaningful, practical steps to support mental health for individuals, workplaces, and communities. While awareness is vital, real change happens when we come together and take action – helping to prevent poor mental health where possible and build a more supportive society for all.
This year, we are also focusing on the Five Ways to Wellbeing – Connect, Be Active, Keep Learning, Take Notice, and Give – as simple but powerful actions everyone can take to improve their mental wellbeing.
What’s happening:
Monday 11th May, 11am-3pm
Broadgreen Community Centre, Swindon
Turn Awareness into Action this Mental Health Awareness Week
Join us on for a vibrant community event hosted by S&G Mind, in partnership with TWIGS, Ipsum, Swindon Borough Council (SBC), Harbour, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Live Well Swindon and more partners to be confirmed.
What’s waiting for you on the day:
🔹 Interactive “ACTION Stations” inspired by the Five Ways to Wellbeing
🔹 Activities to boost your mental health and wellbeing
🔹 Opportunities to connect, learn, and take meaningful action
🔹 Signposting to local support and services
🔹 A welcoming, community-focused atmosphere
🚶♀️ No need to register – just turn up on the day!
☕ Refreshments will be provided
Whether you’re looking to improve your own wellbeing or support others, this is your chance to take action – big or small. Every step counts, and together, those steps make a difference.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of something positive in your community 💬💪
11 – 17 May
Take Action Together for Mental Health Awareness Week
As Mental Health Awareness Week continues, we want to remind you of this year’s theme: ACTION. During this week, we’re inviting everyone – individuals, schools, and businesses – to take action to support positive mental health. Because even small steps can help us feel more hopeful, connected, and in control. And when we act together, those small steps become something powerful. We’re challenging you to take part by trying fundraising activities inspired by the 5 Ways to Wellbeing.
Businesses:
🤝 Connect
- Coffee Roulette for a Cause: Random 15-min employee pair chats – each conversation = £1 donation from the company to a chosen charity.
- Gratitude Wall: Staff post thank-you notes or “shout-outs” – each post triggers a small sponsor donation or team fundraising pot.
🏃 Be Active
- Step Challenge (Sponsored Edition): Teams compete to hit step goals – every milestone unlocks donations (e.g. 10,000 steps = £10 donated).
- Walk & Raise Meetings: Walking meetings count double steps, and teams collect pledges per km walked. Bonus twist: losing team does a fun “forfeit” that also raises money (e.g. bake sale, silly hat day).
👀 Take Notice
- Mindful Minute Sponsor Match: Staff take a daily mindful minute – each completed day enters them into a charity donation draw.
- Smile Capture Challenge (Auction Style): Best photos entered into a workplace “gallery auction” where teams bid points/£ for charity.
📚 Keep Learning
- Lunch & Learn Fundraiser Talks: Internal speakers or guest experts – optional £2-£5 entry donation per session.
- Try Something New Sponsorship Board: Employees get sponsored to try new skills (e.g. learning coding, cooking, art) – sponsors pledge per attempt completed.
💛 Give
- Kindness Challenge (Pledge-Based): Each act of kindness = small donation from a central company pot or matched staff donations.
- Volunteer Hour + Fundraising Match: Every volunteer hour logged unlocks employer donation matching to the chosen charity.
- Team Charity Pot Finale: All activities feed into a final “MHAW totaliser” – company matches or boosts the final amount raised.
Schools:
🤝 Connect
- Buddy Bench / Buddy System + Sponsor Inclusion: Every time students include someone new or use the buddy bench, the class earns points toward a fundraising total (or class sponsor pledge).
- Circle Time Check-ins = Giving Circles: Daily sharing moments build class wellbeing scores – each full week completed can unlock a small donation from a class sponsor or PTA match fund.
🏃 Be Active
- Active Break Challenge (Sponsored Edition): Short movement bursts between lessons – classes collect sponsor pledges per active break completed.
- Walk or Wheel to School Day: Students get sponsored per journey (or class total distance raised into a shared fundraising target).
👀 Take Notice
- Nature Scavenger Hunt for Charity: Students find items like “something colourful” or “something calming” – each completed hunt contributes to a class fundraising total or unlocks a donation milestone.
- Mindfulness Minutes = Kindness Points: 2-5 minute breathing/quiet reflection sessions – consistent participation builds a wellbeing score that translates into fundraising rewards (e.g. sponsor match or school donation).
📚 Keep Learning
- Try Something New Workshop Day (Sponsored Participation): Each workshop attended (art, music, coding, cooking, etc.) earns points toward a fundraising total or class sponsorship challenge.
- Guest Speaker Sponsorship Event: Invite wellbeing/resilience speakers – optional donation entry or fundraising dress-down day linked to attendance.
💛 Give
- Kindness Week Board = Fundraising Tracker: Every recorded act of kindness adds to a class fundraising tally – milestones unlock donations from sponsors or school partners.
- Community Project Challenge (Sponsored Impact): Letters to care homes, donation drives, or community support projects – sponsors pledge per completed action or milestone reached.
Individuals:
🤝 Connect
- Reconnect & Donate: Message or call someone you haven’t spoken to in a while – each completed connection = a small personal pledge (e.g. £1) to your chosen charity.
- No-Phone Catch-Up Challenge: Meet a friend without phones – both participants add a small donation or sponsor each other’s wellbeing habit.
🏃 Be Active
- Try Something New = Sponsored Activity: Try yoga, cycling, dance, or any new movement – get friends or family to sponsor your attempt or duration.
- 10-Min Movement Streak Challenge: Daily 10-minute movement goal – each completed day unlocks a small donation or builds a weekly fundraising total.
👀 Take Notice
- Gratitude = Giving Chain: Write 3 daily gratitudes – for every 5-day streak, donate a small amount or add to a fundraising pot.
- Mindful Walk Sponsorship: Go on a mindful walk (no phone, focus on senses) – ask someone to sponsor each walk completed.
📚 Keep Learning
- 15-Min Learning Pledge: Read or listen to something new daily – each completed session = a small donation or sponsor commitment.
- Mini Course Fundraiser Goal: Start a short online course – share progress and invite sponsorship for completion milestones.
💛 Give
- Compliment Challenge (Sponsored Kindness): Give 3 genuine compliments a day – each full day completed adds to a fundraising total or unlocks a charity donation.
- Skill & Time Donation Challenge: Offer time, help, or skills to someone in need – each act counts as a “fundraising action” (sponsors can pledge per act completed).
