SportsShoes x KEEN x Mental Health Mates: UK Community Hikes

To celebrate the launch of the WK400, SportsShoes has partnered with footwear brand KEEN & Mental Health Mates for a series of community walks throughout the UK.

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What is Mental Health Mates?

Founded by Bryony Gordon in 2016, Mental Health Mates (MHM) is a network of peer support groups IRL and online, run by people who experience their own mental health issues, meeting regularly to walk, connect and share without fear or judgement. With walks across the United Kingdom, MHM has become a thriving community that only continues to grow!

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Pictured: MHM founder Bryony Gordon

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We know, from personal experience, that mental illness magnifies through isolation. So whether it is talking to someone, sharing with them or simply walking beside them, we believe that getting connected is the first steps to recovery.

Bryony Gordon

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What are the benefits of walking?

It is well known that walking can boost emotional wellbeing and ease chronic mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. In addition to overall health benefits, walking increases blood circulation to the brain which lifts the mood and can calm nerves by decreasing the stress response. Walking with others is widely recognised to further build on these benefits by providing positive social interactions that can stave off loneliness, boost self-esteem and improve negative mood.

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Why have KEEN partnered with MHM?

Part of the KEEN.Effect programme which sets out the brands’ global commitment to support initiatives and NPOs across the world who promote the positive impact of outdoor participation and champion inclusivity, the brand is delighted to support MHM in their important work. The KEEN WK400 X MHM series endeavours to encourage movement, make connections and build confidence in those who may have experienced stigma and barriers to getting outside due to mental health challenges in their lives.

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Coinciding with the launch of KEEN’s new all-terrain walking shoe, the WK400 , the KEEN WK400 x MHM Walk series kicked off with the inaugural event hosted with MHM founder Bryony Gordon in London on 21st March.

Our SportsShoes ambassador Ben Mounsey, headed to London to check out the first MHM community walk.

He said; 'Having the opportunity to take part in the first walk of the series really opened my eyes to the importance of what KEEN, MHM and SportsShoes are trying to achieve. Mental Health Mates is an inspiring model because it encourages people to get together to exercise, socialise, share problems and enjoy the great outdoors. All walks are free, inclusive and accessible to all and I would encourage anyone to take part. It's often said that the best things in life are free and these walks are a shining example of that.

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Mental Health Mates really brings communities together and allows us all to get together and go for a walk. It helps to improve mental health and well-being, by developing healthy habits and meeting good, like-minded people.

Sean Charlton, Mental Health Mates Walk Leader

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Here are the eleven SportsShoes x KEEN x MHM walks planned across the UK:

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All walks are free to join and open to anyone aged 18 plus.

Participants are requested to register in advance by emailing jess@mentalhealthmates.co.uk

For more information on Mental Health Mates visit the website here

Disclaimer: Mental Health Mates is not supposed to take the place of professional treatment and therapy. For advice and help, please look at the list of amazing charities you can talk to here: Mental Health Mates is not supposed to take the place of professional treatment and therapy. For advice and help, please look at the list of amazing charities you can talk to here: www.mind.org.uk.

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About KEEN

KEEN loves making original, purposeful, comfortable, and durable footwear, but they really just want to make a difference. As a family-run business they’ve always felt they have a shared responsibility to do things the right way. The kind of products they make, how they treat the environment and each other, how they make outside accessible for all are part of a mission they’ve taken to heart since KEEN was conceived in 2003.

Want to learn more? Visit our Health and Wellbeing category to help look after your body, mind and personal safety with our expert advice and guidance.