The importance and benefits of connecting with others, learning new skills, moving with others and getting out into nature is well known. Embedding the opportunities to engage in activities that support protective factors for good mental wellbeing in a supportive environment is a core principle of our Public Mental Health approach in Leeds.
Being You Leeds does exactly that – and we were honoured to have been awarded the Sarah Stewart-Brown Award in 2024 by the Faculty of Public Health. Funded by Leeds City Council Public Health and delivered by a partnership of local organisations including Touchstone, Barca, Hamara, Health for All, LS14 Trust, Women’s Health Matters, Community Links and Humans Being, the mission of Being You Leeds is simple yet powerful: help people stay well by creating spaces and groups to connect; increase knowledge and skills around mental health and bring people together to reduce stigma. We recognise the barriers people face in accessing meaningful activities in the heart of communities so all of the groups are free to access and half of our groups are delivered in the evening or on a weekend – we know mental health challenges or feelings of loneliness don’t stop at 5pm when the library, doctors surgery or shops close.
Groups and activities are co-produced with communities – they go far beyond what we may think of as traditional groups in community centres – we have men’s songwriting, photography, journalling and embroidery, salsa and games nights – all delivered and supported by a group leader who has the knowledge and skills around mental health and suicide prevention.
Being You Leeds also delivers suicide prevention and mental health training to frontline practitioners building community capacity to support people who may be at greater risk of poor mental health. By leading the Leeds Anti Stigma Partnership, which takes a strategic role in the City in bringing services together, Being You Leeds is challenging discrimination and promoting open conversations across the system about mental health and the importance of help seeking.
Investing in services like Being You Leeds is not just compassionate - it is cost-effective. Prevention and promotion strategies reduce demand on other services, tackle health inequalities, and create healthier communities. By using the academically valid and reliable tool SWEMWBs alongside group and individual case studies, we are able to confidently share the difference Being You Leeds is making to people’s wellbeing as well as knowing we are reaching people who are in the greatest need.
To learn more or get involved, visit Being You Leeds, Wellbeing Group Activities, Training and Support or follow their updates on social media.
