ASICS partnership
We’ve worked with ASICS since 2021. Together we share the benefits of getting active to improve our wellbeing. We’ve collaborated with ASICS to deliver campaigns. And they're helping to raise vital funds for our life-changing work.
The partnership has achieved great success so far. It's playing a key role in supporting our physical activity programmes.
Current ASICS and Mind collaborations
Get Active Open Grant programme
Together we’re funding 14 local Minds to run community physical activity programmes. Throughout 2025 and 2026 the programmes will offer a diverse range of activities. From mixed martial arts and boccia to football and forest therapy, they include:
- Sessions for young people in partnership with a Students’ Union
- Gentle movement for older adults
- Inclusive Rainbow Minds running and walking groups for the LGBTQIA+ community
- Sessions for all ages
If you would like more information, you can get in touch with us.
Mind’s Best Friend
ASICS launched a brand new campaign with a very special star: Felix the dog. Why a dog? Because nothing gets us moving like our furry friends.
Their latest research shows that dog owners move more and feel more positive. And they experience less stress than non-dog owners.
Until 12 July 2025, if you post a photo of your dog on social media, ASICS will donate £5 to Mind. Tell us how your pup motivates you to move for your mind and use the hashtag #MindsBestFriend. Make sure your profile is public so it counts!
Previous ASICS and Mind collaborations
ASICS Get Active Connector programme (2023-2025)
Between January 2023 and July 2024, the programme supported 8 local Minds to recruit Get Active Connectors. This was extended to March 2025 thanks to legacy funding. The Get Active Connectors worked with social prescribers and physical activity providers. Together they introduced the mental health benefits of physical activity in a friendly, inclusive environment.
ASICS Get Active running groups
ASICS funded 11 local Minds to establish beginners running groups. The running groups engaged 161 people across England and Wales. ASICS donated a pair of running shoes to each participant. This enabled local Minds to work with inactive people living in poverty.
The programmes followed an adapted Couch to 5K model. Many people continued to run or engage in other forms of exercise afterwards.
The running groups showed the positive effect of physical activity on mental health. Some participants described these groups as “life-saving.”
It has helped me massively with my mental health. When I got my certificate, I got home and cried so much. I was so proud of myself for doing something and finishing it. I think it taught me that, even in everyday life, it’s all about putting one foot in front of the other.
Mental health in elite sport
In 2014, Mind researched the mental health support available for our elite athletes. And the challenges they face. A lot has changed since then.
Thanks to funding from ASICS, in 2022 we re-commissioned this research. We created a report looking at what's changed.
Today, attitudes have moved on and sports organisations are doing more to help. Athletes are speaking out. And sports offer a wide range of professional mental health support. There's also mental health training for staff. Our report, Mental Health in Elite Sport, shows some of the great work sports have been doing. But there’s still more to do.
A new personal best
For too long, the world of sport has told us to push harder, go further and stop at nothing. Selling us the idea that the only thing that matters is a faster time, a longer distance, and more reps. Research shows that this is creating an intimidating culture. A culture that's discouraging millions of people from exercising.
That’s why ASICS and Mind are redefining a personal best. We'll focus on how exercise makes us feel. No times. No stats. And no numbers. Because a personal best isn't a number, it’s a feeling.
#SunriseMind
From January to March 2021, ASICS challenged people to get active at sunrise. They donated to Mind for every picture shared with the hashtag #SunriseMind. The campaign raised a fantastic £100,000.
15:09 Uplift Challenge
15 minutes and 9 seconds of exercise. ASICS found that that's all it takes to have a positive impact on mental wellbeing.
In June 2022, ASICS encouraged people to move. They could do any movement for 15 minutes and 9 seconds. They then asked them to take a photo or video of themselves and share on social media using #ASICS1509.
For every image or video posted using #ASICS1509, ASICS donated £5 to Mind.
Supporting research into movement for the mind
ASICS are supporting research to understand the relationship between movement and mental health.
Movement for Mind is a simple programme of mindful outdoor movement. Just 2 30 minute sessions, twice a week. It was developed with one of the world's leading mental health researchers. And it can measurably improve how we feel.
