#RunAndTalk Week 2021
#RunAndTalk Week is back for 2021 – in partnership with Mind, the mental health charity. We’re now calling on RunTogether groups (as well as England Athletics affiliated clubs and organisations) to pledge to host a run for this year’s campaign!
#RunAndTalk Week will once again place a focus on improving mental wellbeing through running – encouraging people to help break the stigma around the subject by meeting for a run and discussing mental health.
This year’s #RunAndTalk Week will take place from Monday 20 to Sunday 26 September – to coincide with World Gratitude Day on Tuesday 21 September. After the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, it only seems right that we take a moment to consider and talk about the positives in our lives and the things we’re all grateful for.
Statistics show that one in five adults have recently experienced depressive symptoms compared to one in ten before the Covid-19 pandemic began.* worsened. Mind’s latest research suggests two thirds of adults (65%) and more than two thirds of young people (68%) with mental health problems say their mental health has got worse since the first national lockdown.**
It’s amazing how much better people can feel by having a chance to #RunAndTalk. From Wednesday 21 July, RunTogether groups are asked to pledge online (rather than register runs as in previous years) – committing to host and self-promote an organised run of one mile or further during #RunAndTalk Week in September.
*Statistic: Q1 2021 Office of National Statistics
**Statistic: Mind (2021) Coronavirus: the consequences for mental health. London: Mind. Available at: mind.org.uk/coronavirus-research
How to host a run this year
Groups can organise a #RunAndTalk Week run for whoever they wish. This could be existing members, previous members who may have lapsed during the pandemic and are looking to return, and/or new participants.
Any groups hosting a run can download free promotional assets, such as posters and social media imagery, via the RunTogether MarketingHub. There is also an option to pay to order printed posters and large selfie frames (perfect for photography and social media activity).
From 20-26 September, everyone taking part will then be encouraged to share their #RunAndTalk Week activity and stories on social media – tagging in RunTogether so we can share and engage.
Organised runs should be led by a UKA-qualified leader or coach (or teacher if at a school) – with Mental Health Champions joining in from RunTogether groups who are already part of our wider #RunAndTalk programme. Many groups decide to add an additional social element to the end of the run – providing more time for people to chat and enjoy the company of others.
Find a #RunAndTalk Week run
How can you get involved and when?
- From Wednesday 21 July, RunTogether groups and other organisations with a UKA qualified leader or coach should pledge to host a run via the form at the bottom of this page. Only one pledge should be submitted per RunTogether group. They can then make plans to host their run before promoting their run to members and/or the wider local community. For more information on organising a #RunAndTalk Week run download our #RunAndTalk Organised Run Information document.
- RunTogether groups can login to RunTogether and tag their relevant run/runs* to help people find details of the #RunAndTalk Week runs they are hosting during that 20-26 September week. Add a tag at the bottom of the page when setting up a new run or editing an existing run by clicking the #RunAndTalk checkbox (*please tag the run as well as the session)
- RunTogether groups hosting a run can then start to promote their run and can login/sign-up to the RunTogether MarketingHub to access a range of free and low-cost promotional assets including editable templated press releases, posters, and selfie frame, plus social media imagery and copy. Additional assets will also be added nearer to #RunAndTalk Week including social media imagery and copy specific to World Gratitude Day.
- Individuals can then join a run being hosted by a RunTogether group near them during #RunAndTalk Week between 20-26 September.
- Groups of friends/family/colleagues can also choose to go on their own runs, if they are unable to join an organised run, and join in the conversation on social media.
- Everyone can share information about #RunAndTalk Week on social media to encourage people to take part using #RunAndTalk @RunTogetherSocial (Facebook) @RunTogether_ (Twitter/Instagram) OR @EnglandAthletic (Twitter) @EnglandAthletics (Facebook/Instagram).
For more information about #RunAndTalk Week, and our wider #RunAndTalk programme, contact inclusion@englandathletics.org
Pledge your #RunAndTalk Week run!
On behalf of my RunTogether group, I pledge that we will host a #RunAndTalk Week run during 20-26 September 2021 in support of mental health.