We all know that exercise is good for your body, but experts now agree that it can be just as beneficial for your mind as well. The evidence is so strong that Sport England is funding a project offering tasters and courses in different sports and activities for people who struggle with their mental health.

The project is called ‘Get Set to Go’, and is organised by local branches of Mind, the Mental Health charity. Within Bath and North East Somerset, people can enjoy activities from golf to yoga, tai chi to swimming.

One activity which has been particularly popular in the ‘Get Set to Go’ project is running, and Bath Mind have teamed up with Hannah the Runner to offer a special twelve-week walk-to-run course. Hannah the Runner is a friendly, inclusive running community which was set up in 2016 by Hannah Lees. Hannah’s journey into coaching began because she was struggling with anxiety and depression after having twins.

“I needed a way to get out of the house which didn’t cost much or take up too much time and a friend suggested I try running. I had a pair of trainers, so I put them on and went for a very slow, very short run. I didn’t hate it, so a couple of days later I tried again, and went a bit further. Soon, I was hooked! Running gave me some quiet time and calmed my thoughts. It didn’t solve my problems, but it helped me to put them in perspective and feel a bit more in control.”

All exercise produces endorphins, a natural feel-good hormone, but the fact that running takes place outside in nature and that it is often done with other people may explain why it is so beneficial. Studies have shown that running can be as effective as anti-depressants in treating mild to moderate depression, and it can work as part of treatment for major depression.

Hannah qualified as a Coach in Running Fitness with England Athletics and now has a team of seven other coaches who all have a Leadership in Running Fitness qualification. She is also an England Athletics Mental Health Champion and trains fitness professionals in Mental Health Awareness for Bath Mind.

In the past three years, the Hannah the Runner team have coached over 250 people to start running on their Couch to 5k beginners courses, however, they know that there are barriers to people with mental health problems joining those courses.

It can be very intimidating for someone to join a running course. People often contact Hannah or her coaches saying they would like to try running, but are scared of being too slow.

“If people get in touch, we can reassure them that there is no such thing as too slow, and that our course is designed for absolute beginners. When they come they quickly find out that it’s true, but we know that there are people who don’t even contact us, who would like to try it, but for whatever reason can’t take that first step.”

The Walk to Run course begins on Friday, 17th May at 12 noon, meeting at Midsomer Norton Leisure Centre. Each session lasts an hour. You don’t have to be sporty or fit before you start, or know anything about running. You also don’t need special clothes – just something comfortable that you can move in and a pair of trainers. There is no charge for the course, though voluntary contributions to Bath Mind will be gratefully received to help the project continue into the future. The course begins with three weeks of walking before running is introduced very gradually.

If you would like to join the course, you can sign up on the Hannah the Runner website. Go to: www.hannahtherunner.comand click on ‘Our Runs’, or you can phone or message Hannah on: 07505 252642 for an informal chat.

If you know someone who would benefit from joining, why not mention it to them? Participants will be supported throughout the course by Bath Mind, which provides support, advice and information to anyone with, or at risk of, mental ill health. For information about the support they offer, visit: www.bathmind.org.uk