Regional Networks

In 2019 Mind announced the creation of eight Regional Networks to bring together organisations from across the sport, physical activity and mental health sectors. The Regional Networks work at a local to regional level to increase the number of groups who are equipped with the skills to support and engage people with mental health problems in physical activity.

The Regional Networks are a result of a co-design process with 35 regional sport, physical activity and mental health organisations, as well as consultation with key partners such as Sport England.

What do the Regional Networks do?

• Utilise and promote Mind's Universal Offer (e.g. training, toolkits and resources) within their region.
• Build relationships between sport, physical activity and mental health organisations within their region.
• Encourage organisations to join the Network.
• Share good practice and relevant updates from Mind.
• Help Mind with requests for support within their region.

Who leads the Regional Networks?

The Regional Networks sit within the eight government regions of England, with each Regional Network being led by a Regional Network Hub within that area. The Hub is the main point of contact and coordinates it's activities.

Hubs will continue to have autonomy for designing, delivering and implementing their Regional Network with support from members of the network, but will need to achieve three outcomes by March 2022:

1. Continue to engage and support sport, physical activity and mental health organisations in their region.
2. Work with at least 1 statutory mental health service (i.e. mental health trust/IAPT service/Social prescribing programme) to explore embedding physical activity into their service sharing the learning including the barriers and enablers.
3. Host 4 virtual networking opportunities and/or events

Where is my nearest Hub?

You can find information about your local Hub below.

North West

Merseyside Sport Foundation
Lead contact: Kyle Tunstall
w: theactivedifference.com
e: [email protected]

North East

RISE
Lead contact: Adam Brougham
w: wearerise.com
e: [email protected]

Yorkshire and the Humber

Yorkshire Sport Foundation
Lead contact: Debra Cummins
w: yorkshiresport.org
e: [email protected]

West Midlands

Sport Birmingham
Lead contact: Luke Hedley
w: sportbirmingham.org
e: [email protected]

To sign up, please complete the short joining form.

East Midlands

Activity Alliance
Lead contact: Sarah Eyley
w: activityalliance.org.uk
e: [email protected]

East of England

Herts Sport Partnership
Lead contact: Alicja Polak
w: sportinherts.org.uk
e: [email protected]

South West

Active Dorset
Lead contact: Charlie Coward / Lisa Wood
w: activedorset.org
e: [email protected] / [email protected]

South East

Active Oxfordshire
Lead contact: Lucy Tappin
w: activeoxfordshire.org
e: [email protected]

London

Please contact Karla Burton, Physical Activity Officer (Regional Support) via [email protected] for more information.

Get involved

If you would like to get involved, please contact your nearest Regional Network Hub using the above contact details. For general enquiries, please contact [email protected] to find out more.