The Greenwich mental health and wellbeing forum, a group of organisations from across the Borough, delivered a series of events and workshops to raise awareness of good mental health. It culminated in a great event in General Gordon Square, Woolwich, to mark this year’s World Mental Health Day on Saturday October 10th.

The Royal Borough of Greenwich and NHS Greenwich Clinical Commissioning Group joined with providers such as Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, Greenwich Mind, Greenwich Time to Talk, Bridge Mental Health, Big White Wall, Thamesmead Health Champions, Family Mosaic, Lifeline Basis, University of Greenwich, Metro Centre, Volunteer Centre Greenwich, CRI and Recovery College Greenwich, to mark the occasion.

An online conversation getting everyone talking openly about mental health took place on Twitter at #AllofUsGreenwich.

The Mayor of the Royal Borough of Greenwich Norman Adams attended the event along with Sylvia Nyame, lead GP for mental health at NHS Greenwich CCG. MP Teresa Pearce introduced the Greenwich Mind Choir to the crowds and local Councillors met with the community.

The event was a fantastic success with the local community out in force engaging in the wide range of activities on offer. The sun shone on General Gordon Square as the event started. Stalls were hosted by local providers, reflexology and massages were given and there was celebration music from local musicians, Oxleas Band, and singer Septimus Prime.

Local children loved taking part in exercise with Greenwich Get Active who hosted Disney Shake up for Kids and a wonderful display of Tai Chi in the square took place. Tea and cakes were served in the nearby Recovery College Greenwich with a band entertaining guests and students.

To help reduce stigma a special film had been made called ‘All of Us’ detailing people’s experience of mental health and how it affects all of us, which was displayed on the large screen in the Square to great applause.

Rachel, who took part in the film, said: “Everyone has mental health, regardless of whether it’s something you struggle with on a day-to-day basis or whether it affects you once in your life.”

Local companies Waitrose, Tesco’s and Frankie & Benny’s sponsored the event and gave out raffle prizes to the crowds.