Published on: 12th May 2025

This year Mental Health Awareness Week is 12-18 May with the theme of ‘community. The focus is on the benefits of connections with other people and supportive communities that create a sense of safety, belonging and purpose.

We've shared some information below about different activities, groups and services in the local communities we cover - Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stiockport, Tameside and Glossop/

We are also keen to hear what community you are part of and how it helps your mental health. You can read some of these below, or share them with us on social media @PennineCareNHS or by email to pcn-tr.communications.penninecare@nhs.net

  • Age UK Bury - activities and events for older people such as line dancing, community choir, folk dancing, belly dancing, yoga, and walking. 
  • Andy's Man Club -  Free to attend peer-to-peer support groups for men across the UK. They provide a safe space for men to talk and open up about their experiences without judgment. Groups in Bury North, Bury South, Radcliffe, Ramsbottom, and Whitefield.
  • Big Fandango - Free bereavement peer support groups and a sewing studio to support mental health in aid of suicide prevention.  
  • Bury ILD - a charity to support people with a learning disability, which also runs friendship groups and events.

  • Bury Involvement Group (BIG) - A charity for people aged over 18 who are experiencing mental health conditions, with groups where you can share experiences and a drop-in cafe. Also has a peer-led crisis service, at Halligan House on Broad Street.

  • Lancashire Wildlife Trust - nature and wellbeing sessions in local parks and green spaces.

  • New Springs Community Project Group - a range of community facilities, activities, events and training for those who live in the Springs area of Bury.

  • NHS Bury talking therapies - refer yourself for support with anxiety, stress and low mood.

  • Parkruns - free 5k runs which take place on Saturday mornings across the country. Everyone is welcome to come along, whether you walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate. Local events include Clarence park and Heaton park.

  • #Thrive - emotional health and wellbeing support for young people.
  • Andy's Man Club -  Free to attend peer-to-peer support groups for men across the UK. They provide a safe space for men to talk and open up about their experiences without judgment. Groups in Milnrow and Rochdale.
  • Dad Matters - Supports dads to have a good relationship with families – for dads with children under 2.  Offers drop-ins at community venues and support for anxiety, stress, and mental health awareness.
  • NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale talking therapies – refer yourself for support with anxiety, stress and low mood. Run by Big Life Group.
  • Parkruns - free 5k runs which take place on Saturday mornings across the country. Everyone is welcome to come along, whether you walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate. Local events include Watergrove park.
  • Rochdale and District Mind – runs various groups and has a listening lounge in Middleton and Rochdale you can drop into.
  • Your Trust – lots of activities and groups to help people connect and keep fit.

Age UK Oldham - a range of events and social activites for older people.

Andy's Man Club -  Free to attend peer-to-peer support groups for men across the UK. They provide a safe space for men to talk and open up about their experiences without judgment. Groups in Oldham and Chadderton.

Creative Mums - a perinatal programme for new mums experiencing low mood, anxiety or isolation, with a free crèche and sessions based around art and creativity to help mums to relax, build confidence, and get to know others.

Dad Matters - Supports dads to have a good relationship with families – for dads with children under 2.  Offers drop-ins at community venues and support for anxiety, stress, and mental health awareness.

Mental Health Football - Free football games in Oldham to help combat mental health issues, open for anyone over 18 to take part or just watch. Also runs an all women’s session.

NHS Oldham talking therapies – refer yourself for support with anxiety, stress and low mood.

Oldham Active Communities - a variety of classes to connect, support, and encourage the people of to improve their health and wellbeing.

Parkruns - free 5k runs which take place on Saturday mornings across the country. Everyone is welcome to come along, whether you walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate. Local events include Alexandra Park and Chadderton Hall.

Tameside, Oldham and Glossop (TOG) Mind - has a drop-in service offering a listening ear for immediate support.

  • Age UK Stockport – support services and a range of events and social activites for older people.
  • Arc Centre - arts for recovery in the community, creative activities that benefit mental health 
  • Boost wellbeing - weekly sports and exercises across Stockport to support those experiencing loneliness and social isolation.  
  • Dad Matters - Supports dads to have a good relationship with families – for dads with children under 2.  Offers drop-ins at community venues and support for anxiety, stress, and mental health awareness.
  • EDUCATE – a group for people living with dementia and their carers.
  • Life Leisure Active Communities - exercise and leisure activities, including local walks.
  • NHS Stockport talking therapies – refer yourself for support with anxiety, stress and low mood.
  • Parkruns - free 5k runs which take place on Saturday mornings across the country. Everyone is welcome to come along, whether you walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate. Local events include Cheadle Hulme, Marple, and Woodbank.
  • SPARC Stockport progress and recovery centre – group activities and mental health support. 
  • Stockport Open Door – has a mental health drop-in service on Prince’s Street.
  • Upward Frog - a social enterprise in Stockport which provides a supportive, friendly and welcoming environment to learn yoga. 
  • Active Tameside – a range of fitness activities and community sessions.
  • Andy's Man Club - free to attend peer-to-peer support groups for men across the UK. They provide a safe space for men to talk and open up about their experiences without judgment. Groups in Ashton and Denton
  • Anthony Seddon Fund - mental health peer support groups and therapeutic activities, including informal drop-ins.
  • Dad Matters - Supports dads to have a good relationship with families – for dads with children under 2.  Offers drop-ins at community venues and support for anxiety, stress, and mental health awareness.
  • Glossop Arts Project - community-based art for wellbeing groups.
  • NHS Tameside and Glossop talking therapies – refer yourself for support with anxiety, stress and low mood.
  • Parkruns - free 5k runs which take place on Saturday mornings across the country. Everyone is welcome to come along, whether you walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate. Local events include Hyde, Glossop and Stamford Park.
  • Safe Tameside - urgent face-to-face mental health support.
  • Tameside, Oldham and Glossop (TOG) Mind – a range of mental health support, including a community hive.

This is my community

Parkrun

Ruth, David, Michael and Mark are regular runners and volunteers at Marple Parkrun. They shared this short video talking about the benefits that keeps them going back every Saturday morning. Parkruns are free and you can run, walk, volunteer or spectate.

Walking and allotment groups

Group walk Stockport young and rare.pngOur young and rarer dementia team in Stockport have created a supportive community at the allotment and walking groups they run with Life Leisure and Age UK Stockport. These groups help people to stay active and build friendships, while giving carers chance for a break.

The walks vary from 8 to 15k, with up to 10 people led by Anna and Ade in a calming stress-free environment.

The also team cleared and transformed their allotment in Reddish to be suitable for everyone to use, with the group running one or two times a week depending on weather and workload.

Susan enjoys attending as many activities as possible and said; “Without these activities and friendships, I feel lonely. Having these activities have given me purpose, friends, and physical activities. I am no longer lonely or need to stand and wait for people passing my home for a chat.”

Sarah adds: “These activities are now my purpose. I enjoy all of them, I have a very different life now to my friends. Instead of being frustrated and lonely in the week I can look forward to events. Being part of this has also given me the confidence to join other community activities that life leisure offer. I have my family, and they are amazing, but I need my own outlet and friendships.”

Yoga

Stockport community mental health team have teamed up with Upward Frog to run a new yoga class, which is improving mental health and helping people to build new connections.

Kelly Mtonga, occupational therapist, explains: “People have shared that the group has provided them with a sense of purpose and Identity, and reported reductions in stress and anxiety levels. The group is also assisting with meeting new people and building connections.”

Faith

Charlotte has shared how being part of a supportive Christian community and attended a vibrant Church every Sunday has a positive impact on her mental health:

Charlotte .png"It’s a caring community who actively seeks to meet the needs of individuals and helps people to feel valued and loved, something which I believe is important to our general wellbeing. It reduces social isolation and loneliness and helps me to build resilience.

"This reminds me of one of the longest-running studies on happiness by Harvard which found a strong association between happiness and close relationships. We are social creatures and connection to others is so important!”