Get Moving Get Talking 2011
On Friday 18th March over 100 people came together at Willesden Sports Centre to take part in activities to Get Moving and Get Talking about Mental Health.
The day started with a football tournament which brought together old and new members of Healthy Minds. Everyone put in their best effort and had a lot of fun. The Mayor of Brent came to present medals to everyone who took part and the Chief Executive of Brent Mind Daniel Cartwright was there to congratulate the players. Well done everyone!
In the sports hall people played badminton, table tennis and had the chance to try volleyball or trampolining. Many people hadn't taken part in such activities before and it was great to see them smiling and chatting to each other while they played. These activities take place each week at Willesden Sports Centre. The times, days and prices are on the Healthy Minds Timetable if you would like to come along and take part.
In the information room Brent Mind and the Samaritans were on hand all day to talk to people about mental health services in Brent and to promote the new Time to Change campaign "It's Time to Talk it's Time to Change".
In the café of the sports centre a 'Human Library' was in operation where service users were sharing their direct experiences of mental health distress with
members of the public. The following 'books' were available to loan: "How to live effectively with Bipolarism"; "Out of the tunnel and into the Light"; "Getting out of the dark tunnel"; "Time Travel"; "Mysteries of Wellbeing" and "The story of my life".
Readers were invited to chose a title they were interested and the librarian then introduced them to the person who's story it was. They sat down together to talk to each other for 15 minutes. Having one to one conversations about mental health is a way of challenging stigma and discrimination and helps people better understand each other.
The 'books' who took part all had a positive experience of people listening to them and the readers had the chance to gain new insights. The Human Library is an exciting and challenging process helps people reflect on their experiences and share their stories with each other. For more information about the Human Library see www.Humanlibrary.org
For refreshment after the activities there was a bike powered smoothie maker provided by local cycle charity Cycletastic. People pedalled their own delicious banana smoothies which got people talking about cycling, sustainable energy, healthy eating and wellbeing.
The last activities of the day were an energetic Soca dance class, a calming t'ai chi session and a stress management workshop. There was something for 
everyone at Get Moving and Get Talking and thank you to everyone who took part!
Quotes from the day:
"The trampoline was wonderful, it was the best thing I've done all year"
Participant from Park Royal Mental Health Ward
"I have learned a whole new perspective and have been able to ask questions I would not otherwise have been able to"
Reader of "Out of the tunnel and into the light" book from the Human Library
