News / 14-May-24

Mental Health Awareness Week : 13 to 19 May 2024

Written by Matt Wills
Staff running the 5k inflatable fun run

Mental Health Awareness Week runs through this week and is a reminder for people to take the time to think about mental health, not just for themselves but those around them.

The theme for this year is around how moving can help make you feel good.

Walking is a free and simple activity that most can do regularly. Photo: City of Bath walking tour at our staff weekend away
Walking is a free and simple activity that most can do regularly. Photo: City of Bath walking tour at our staff weekend away

The Mental Health Foundation notes that keeping active doesn’t always need to be centred around doing sport or intensive exercise. Sometimes this can be as simple as going for a walk in your local neighbourhood, putting on your favourite music and dancing around the living room, even simple movements while sat watching television – everything counts!

Cycling is great for physical and mental fitness! Photo: A few of us on a cycle tour during a staff weekend away in Barcelona
Cycling is great for physical and mental fitness! Photo: A few of us on a cycle tour during a staff weekend away in Barcelona

Moving can help your mood by increasing your energy, reduce stress and anxiety and help boost self esteem, but you can also try the following techniques:

  • Talking to someone you trust about how you are feeling
  • Getting out and about in nature
  • Doing breathing exercises
  • Practicing mindfulness
  • Getting enough sleep
  • Eating well and getting fruit and vegetables in your diet
Poynton Bradbury Architects ice skating at the Eden Project
Poynton Bradbury Architects ice skating at the Eden Project

At Poynton Bradbury Architects we look to ensure that our team members are supported in their mental health and engage in a number of activities to help movement, including:

  • South West Coast Path walks
  • Sea swimming and harbour jumps
  • Roller and ice skating
  • Lunchtime walks
  • City and building visits
  • Tree planting
We're lucky as a practice to live and work in the South West, offering a healthy dose of Vitamin Sea!
We're lucky as a practice to live and work in the South West, offering a healthy dose of Vitamin Sea!

The Mental Health Foundation website has a wealth of information and advice if you feel you or maybe someone you know is struggling with their mental health.

For more information visit mentalhealth.org.uk

Meet the Author

Matt Wills Headshot
Senior Architect
Matt Wills
BSc(Hons)  BArch  DipArch  DipCons  ARB  RIBA Matt has been with Poynton... Read More

BSc(Hons)  BArch  DipArch  DipCons  ARB  RIBA

Matt has been with Poynton Bradbury since 2018, following 13 years working in local practices in Cornwall.

Matt has experience of leading extra-care housing, care and retirement living projects, as well as social and private housing, schools and hospital projects.  He has a particular interest in health and wellbeing and how good design can improve the lives of building occupants and users. Matt has a postgraduate diploma in conservation and has gained specialist skills and knowledge through working on a number of listed and historically important ecclesiastical projects.

Matt is also the practice’s Employee Owned Trust employee representative, ensuring that the ethos and direction of the practice is to the benefit of all. Following his role of RIBA Cornwall Branch Chair in 2014 Matt remains the RIBA Branch Treasurer.

 Email Matt

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