Mental Health Friendly Places and Clubs

Mental Health Friendly Places and Clubs Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Mental Health Friendly Places and Clubs, Mental Health Service, Queens Road, Leicester.

Mental Heath Friendly Places and Clubs is a public health initiative designed to offer FREE accredited mental health and su***de prevention training to public facing businesses, organisations and sports clubs.

🥊 The power of sport, community and connectionToday, the Mental Health Friendly Places team had the pleasure of visiting...
20/08/2026

🥊 The power of sport, community and connection

Today, the Mental Health Friendly Places team had the pleasure of visiting Leicester Combat Academy, based in St Matthew’s, Leicester.

Leicester Combat Academy is a fantastic community hub supporting men from the BAME community, using the power of combat sports to bring people together and build a strong sense of connection and belonging.

Chairman Nasser Hussain spoke about how combat sports can provide much more than physical exercise. For many men, life events such as bereavement, family difficulties, isolation and other challenges can have an impact on their mental wellbeing, without them necessarily recognising it as a mental health issue.

Leicester Combat Academy provides a safe and supportive place where men can:

🥊 Connect with others
💪 Build confidence and resilience
🧠 Support their mental wellbeing
🏃 Improve their physical health
🤝 Build friendships and a sense of community
🎯 Develop discipline and coping skills to help face life’s challenges

Leicester Combat Academy are proud to be a Mental Health Friendly Club, and it was fantastic to see the incredible work they are doing to support men in their local community through the power of sport.

If you’re part of a sports club or gym and would like to become a Mental Health Friendly Club and help make a difference in your community, you can sign up here:
👉 https://www.startaconversation.co.uk/mental-health-friendly-clubs

Start a conversation. Make a difference.


14/08/2026

💙 Fact Friday | Busting Mental Health Myths

Let’s challenge some common misconceptions about mental health and su***de. Having the right information can help us support those around us.

❌ Myth 7: “Strong people don’t talk about their feelings”

✔️ Fact:
Being open about feelings actually requires courage. It’s a sign of emotional strength, not weakness.

❌ Myth 8: “If someone doesn’t talk, they’re fine”

✔️ Fact:
Many people struggle in silence. Just because someone isn’t talking doesn’t mean they don’t need support.

❌ Myth 9: “One conversation is enough”

✔️ Fact:
Mental health is ongoing. Regular check-ins and continued support are often needed.

❌ Myth 10: “It’s not my place to ask”

✔️ Fact:
Gently asking how someone is doing can open the door for support. You don’t have to be an expert to care.

The more informed we are about mental health the more we can challenge the stigma.



💚 Calling all customer-facing businesses across Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland! 💚Are you a hairdresser, barber, caf...
14/08/2026

💚 Calling all customer-facing businesses across Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland! 💚

Are you a hairdresser, barber, café, charity shop, beauty salon, retail store, community venue or another front-facing business?

Every day, you create welcoming spaces where customers feel comfortable enough to open up about what’s happening in their lives. A simple conversation can make a real difference.

Would you like the tools and confidence to support your customers even more?

Join the Mental Health Friendly Places programme and receive FREE, bite-sized mental health and wellbeing training, designed to fit around the demands of your busy business.

The programme will help you to:
✅ Recognise the signs that someone may be struggling
✅ Start supportive conversations with confidence
✅ Listen with empathy
✅ Signpost customers to local support services
✅ Build a more inclusive, understanding environment for your community

Together, we can make Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland a place where every conversation counts.

📍 Sign up today: https://www.startaconversation.co.uk/register

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post and tagging a local business that should get involved. 💚

Let's Make Birstall a Mental Health Friendly Place! On Tuesday 18th August, we'll be out and about in Birstall visiting ...
12/08/2026

Let's Make Birstall a Mental Health Friendly Place!

On Tuesday 18th August, we'll be out and about in Birstall visiting local businesses, organisations and sports clubs to talk about becoming a Mental Health Friendly Place.

- Free mental health awareness training
- Support for your staff, members and community
- Help create a supportive Birstall
- Free mental health resources

Mental Health Friendly Places is a Public Health initiative - https://www.startaconversation.co.uk/in-your-community

If you'd like us to visit your organisation, business, sports club and tell you more, we'd love to hear from you!

Please email [email protected] or [email protected]

Together, let's make Birstall a Mental Health Friendly Place. 💚

🏹 Mental Health Friendly Clubs visit Ivanhoe Archers! 💚The Mental Health Friendly Clubs team, alongside Active Together ...
10/08/2026

🏹 Mental Health Friendly Clubs visit Ivanhoe Archers! 💚

The Mental Health Friendly Clubs team, alongside Active Together (Partners), recently visited Ivanhoe Archers — one of the largest archery clubs in the county!

We had the pleasure of speaking with Anna, the club’s Welfare Officer, who shared why they wanted to become part of the Mental Health Friendly Clubs programme:

“We wanted to be part of the Mental Health Friendly Clubs programme because we believe that every person should be able to join a friendly sports team where they feel supported. We want to give our members the skills and confidence needed to reach out to others who might be struggling with their mental health. This programme gives us the support and training we need to achieve this goal.”

It’s fantastic to see local sports clubs creating welcoming, supportive spaces where people can enjoy being active, learn new skills and connect with others. 💚

🏹 Fancy giving archery a go?
If you’re looking to learn a new skill, meet new people and be part of a friendly community, why not get in touch with Ivanhoe Archers and give it a go?

👉 https://www.ivanhoearchersashby.co.uk

Take Notice! ✨The Cosby Yarn Bomb team have once again transformed Cosby with another incredible Yarn Bomb! 🧶💜Residents ...
03/08/2026

Take Notice! ✨

The Cosby Yarn Bomb team have once again transformed Cosby with another incredible Yarn Bomb! 🧶💜

Residents and visitors have been enjoying a walk around the village, taking in the creativity, colour, and imagination behind each display. It’s a spectacular way to bring the community together, spark conversations, and brighten everyone’s day.

Did you know that Gather Create Grow is also a recognised Mental Health Friendly Place? The group offers a warm, welcoming space where everyone is invited to connect, learn new skills, make friends, and access support in a friendly and inclusive environment.

If you’d like to find out more about the group, get involved, or simply learn something new, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Gather Create Grow today. Everyone is welcome! 💜

31/07/2026

💙 Fact Friday | Busting Mental Health Myths

Let’s challenge some common misconceptions about mental health and su***de. Having the right information can help us support those around us.

🗣️ Myth 4: “Talking about su***de puts the idea in someone’s head.”
✅ Fact: Research shows that asking someone about su***de does not increase the risk. In fact, it can reduce it by helping someone feel seen, heard and supported.

💬 Myth 5: “You need to have the right answers.”
✅ Fact: You don’t need to fix someone’s problems. Simply listening, being present and showing empathy can be far more powerful than offering advice.

❤️ Myth 6: “It’s embarrassing to talk about mental health.”
✅ Fact: Mental health is part of our overall health. Talking about it is no different from discussing physical health—it’s normal, important and helps reduce stigma.

Every conversation matters. By challenging myths, we can create safer, more supportive communities where people feel able to reach out when they need help.

💚 Mental Health Friendly Places Spotlight 💚Last month, Beckie from our Mental Health Friendly Places team visited Paddle...
29/07/2026

💚 Mental Health Friendly Places Spotlight 💚

Last month, Beckie from our Mental Health Friendly Places team visited PaddlePlus Canoe Club - Public Page as part of our programme to meet the fantastic organisations signed up with us—and what a treat it was!

PaddlePlus kindly invited Beckie along to one of their paddle boarding evenings, giving her the chance to experience everything the club has to offer.

Here’s what Beckie had to say:

“The group were amazing—so friendly and supportive! It was a beautiful summer evening, and being out on the paddle board really allowed me to take notice of my surroundings; the waterways, the trees, and the setting sun. It also pushed me well outside my comfort zone and, with the support of the group, I achieved something I’d never done before—paddle boarding!”

PaddlePlus is more than just a place to learn a new skill—it’s a welcoming community where you can meet new people, build confidence, and enjoy the wellbeing benefits of spending time outdoors.

If you’ve been thinking about trying something new, why not find out more by visiting the PaddlePlus website: https://www.paddleplus.org

A huge congratulations to PaddlePlus on becoming a Mental Health Friendly Club and for everything they do to support the wellbeing of our community. 💚👏

🎉 Congratulations to Sweet Pea Bowls Club on becoming a Mental Health Friendly Club!The MHFP team recently visited the c...
27/07/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Sweet Pea Bowls Club on becoming a Mental Health Friendly Club!

The MHFP team recently visited the club and spoke with member Stephen, who shared:

“Our club has a really diverse membership, with people ranging from their 40s to their late 80s. Everyone brings different experiences, and we look out for one another. Some members have been through mental health challenges, some are going through them now, and others might not even realise they need support yet. We create an open, welcoming environment where people can talk, check in with each other and know they’re not alone. Everyone bounces off one another, sharing different perspectives and helping each other along. It’s a fantastic community to be part of.”

Bowls is an accessible sport for everyone. Whether you’re looking to be part of a welcoming community, learn a new skill or get back into the game, there’s a place for you at your local bowls club.

Find your nearest club: active-together.org/sports/bowls 💚

24/07/2026

💙 Fact Friday | Busting Mental Health Myths

Let’s challenge some common misconceptions about mental health and su***de. Having the right information can help us support those around us.

❌ Myth 1: “Talking about it will make things worse”

✔️ Fact:
Talking about mental health helps people feel relief, understood, and less alone. Bottling things up often increases stress and anxiety.

❌ Myth 2: “If I bring it up, I might upset someone”

✔️ Fact:
Approaching someone with care and kindness will make them feel supported—not upset. It shows you care enough to notice.

❌ Myth 3: “People should deal with it privately”

✔️ Fact:
While privacy matters, isolation can make struggles harder. Sharing with a trusted person or professional can be a key step toward healing.

Every conversation matters. By challenging myths, we can create safer, more supportive communities where people feel able to reach out when they need help.




Address

Queens Road
Leicester
LE2 1TT

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