We are challenging people across the county to come together to look after their mental health and wellbeing. In these unprecedented times we want to create an online community of people working towards a shared goal of prioritising wellbeing, so we have launched the 30: 30 Challenge!

The challenge centres around the Five Ways to Wellbeing: Connect, Be Active, Give, Take Notice and Learn. The Five Ways are evidence-based actions, developed by the New Economics Foundation, that can make a positive difference to our wellbeing if carried out on a regular basis.

The challenge is simple, we're asking people across Lancashire to take part in physical activity for at least 30 minutes every day for 30 days. This will help everyone to Be Active but we also want you to think about how your activity can help you achieve one or more of the other ways to wellbeing. For example:

You could Learn a dance routine

You could Connect with a family indoor obstacle course

You could Give by leading an online exercise class for friends or colleagues

You could Take Notice by running on the spot whilst looking out of the window at the patterns the clouds are making

We want you to get creative. Mix up the online workouts available with new and different activities. Here are just a few ideas, all of which can take place at home or in your garden, to inspire you:

A game of frisbee

Dance party

Take the stairs

Water balloon battle

Hula hooping

Deep clean

Penalty shootout

The challenge can be completed by anyone from anywhere. It's perfect for workplaces - bringing employees together at a time when many have significantly changed their working environment or working pattern, extended families who may not be having any face to face contact but want to stay connected in a fun way. You could even challenge your sports team or league to take part in place of postponed fixtures.

Lancashire Mind staff will be joining in and taking part too. We'll be sharing our journey on our social media pages and getting you involved too so don't forget to follow us so we can all do this together.

To take part in the challenge you can either-

-Sign up to the Well 1-2-1 app. Through the app you will be able to track your progress, create individual leader boards with friends, family and colleagues, as well as seeing the progress of everyone taking part across the county! To sign up visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/3030-physical-activity-challenge-raise-money-for-lancashire-mind-improve-your-physical-and-mental-registration-101186316998 For more information visithttps://www.wellbeing4business.co.uk/3030-lancashire-mind/

It costs £5 to sign up to the challenge and that is paid to Wellbeing4Business Ltd. This cost enables Wellbeing4Business Ltd to run the app and the associated administration involved with this.

-Take part in the challenge without using the app and simply share your journey with us through social media.

If you would like to, and are able to, please consider donating to Lancashire Mind as part of the challenge. We are working hard to continue to offer our services to those who are most vulnerable to at this time. We are providing support to people who have existing mental health conditions and those who are at risk of developing mental health conditions due to the challenging times our society faces.

Now more so than ever, want to be able to continue to support everyone across Lancashire to develop and maintain good mental health and wellbeing. Perhaps you are able to donate the equivalent cost of your weekly coffee, a gym class or the cost of your commute to help us. Whatever you can spare at this time will help us to continue to support people across Lancashire.

If you would like any further information please contact Emma Bateson, Fundraising Lead emmabateson@lancashiremind.org.uk

Thank you,

Lancashire Mind Team.