Good mental health is important.

There has always been a perception that to be successful is to be strong, unyielding and unaffected by the challenges that life throws at us all.

Whilst stoicism can be powerful in the right circumstances, there appears to have been a greater acceptance recently that nobody goes through life unaffected and the myth of the stoic leader is becoming gradually eroded.

However, far from being a source of weakness, being open and honest about our struggles and vulnerabilities can be the first step in encouraging others to do the same, demonstrating that people are not alone in their feelings and building confidence that personal struggles can be overcome and do not have to be faced alone.

On Thursday 27th June 2019, four North East based Civil Service Fast Streamers (Lauren Battersby, Siobhan Lyons, Thomas Rodnicki and Samuel Wilmington) are hiking 16.5 miles along the route of Hadrian's Wall from Walltown Quarry to Chesters Roman Fort to raise money for The Charity for Civil Servants and awareness of the support they provide.

The Charity for Civil Servants offers a number of support services for various issues that can impact upon an individual's mental health, and this expedition is to raise money to allow the charity to continue this good work.

It is also about the connections.  It's about bridging the gap between the individual and the support. It's about listening, talking, and showing how you could be the thing that gets somebody else through their day... and you may not even know it.