World Mental Health Day 2026
Lived Experiences Heard
Real Voices, Real Change
World Mental Health Day takes place on 10 October each year and is an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of good mental health, encourage open conversations and help reduce the stigma that can sometimes prevent people from talking about how they feel or seeking support. The day also highlights the importance of listening to people’s experiences and taking action to support better mental health in our communities.
The theme for 2026 is ‘Lived experiences heard: Real voices, real change’, putting people’s experiences at the heart of the conversation. In keeping with this year’s theme, we share one of our members’ experiences of being part of the community at Larkfield Leisure Centre and the difference it has made to her life.
Be inspired by Teresa
At tmactive, we want our facilities and communities to be places where people feel supported, connected and able to be active in a way that works for them. Teresa’s experience at Larkfield Leisure Centre is a great example of what this can mean in everyday life.
She has kindly shared her diary with us, offering an honest insight into her experiences and what being part of the activeHEALTH community means to her. Inspired by her journey, she has also written a poem, which we have shared alongside her diary.
We hope her story offers an insight into the difference that feeling supported and part of a community can make.
Read Teresa's Diary
Monday morning, weekend gone. Water therapy, here I come!
Sue takes the class in the leisure pool (with the animal head spouting – sometimes the water goes out and when you are walking backwards, you get a shower!). Time goes fast and before you know it, the class is finished.
In the afternoon, after lunch, it’s off to find Nikki (not sure what the class is called, but it is so much fun!). We do chair exercises (my counting is not very good!) and try to make Nikki laugh. Margaret joins in and before you know it, we are all moving. Then we go for coffee and a chat, with “See you tomorrow!” But what class is that?
With so much choice, it’s hard to remember. “I am going to Aqua.” “We are going to Danni’s.” “We will see you for a coffee.” And off we go.
Tuesday comes and we are excited to see each other. “You going to Danni’s?”
We walk along to the dance studio and outside the studio we stay as quiet as a mouse, as there is a ballet class going on. But… once we are inside, it all starts!
David is at the back, Jen at the side, and I sing along to the music. David says someone put the cat out. Danni keeps promising me she will bring me a hairbrush that I can sing with! It is so much fun. You end up laughing and smiling with all the banter being passed around. Then it comes to an end and we have to leave, back like church mice – which is very difficult because we have been having so much fun.
So off to coffee we go to meet up with the others who went to Aqua. We have a good chat about how far we have come since joining, and how we seem to forget the aches and pains and life outside the centre.
After a short break, it is off to Chair Yoga with Machelle. It is a wonderful, relaxing class. Some people worry they are going to fall asleep! Machelle is such a kind person, giving encouragement and helping us to relax, understand our breath and connect our minds and bodies. I always leave feeling so much better.
Off home I go until tomorrow.
Wednesday comes and into the sports hall we go. Lots of people are here for Referral Circuits with Luke.
Luke is like someone from Robin Hood. He is just full of life and teaches us to hold a resistance band like a bow and arrow! His dad jokes make you smile, and when we walk around the hall, it gives you a chance to have a natter. By the third walk round, we know it is time for a cuppa!
Thursday morning, off to Swim for Health with Tillie.
You do not have to be able to swim to join the class, because Tillie takes care of you. The boys like playing pranks on each other, with buckets, balls and noodle lightsabre
fights.
With a short break, it is off to Danni’s Primetimers, with weights, partner working and generally working as a team.
“Well done!”
“Keep going!”
Danni makes us work hard, pushing us to our capabilities. We always say how hard we have worked today!
The cakes, teacakes, bananas and chocolate bars look so good after Danni’s class. We um and ah – shall we, or shall we be good?! More often we are good, so we sit down together as a team for coffee and hot chocolate.
We must go and book next week’s classes. Chloe, the receptionist, always knows which class we need to book into, so with a thank you, off we go home.
Friday morning comes along.
Sarah’s class is a gentle seated class, with finger exercises going on. It is a little more serious! It really is an ideal class to start with if you have not done much exercise for some
time.
And then the weekend comes. Time to reflect by ourselves, remembering what went on in the week – big smiles and joy to our faces.
The Active Communities Team – Danni, Tillie, Machelle, Sue, Nikki, Luke and Sarah – you bring so much to our lives. So, good night, sleep tight.
Monday is on its way.
Poem by Teresa Fennell
It takes us back to being young,
We are not sitting at home all alone.
We have something to get up for,
And a community that is our own.
So thank you, each and every one of you.
The café ladies look after us so well.
The receptionists, for their patience
They always know which classes we are going to,
Even when we don’t know the name!
Our wonderful teachers,
For their encouragement and fun they bring,
And the joy they show.
This is the best medicine
That no hospital or doctor can give you.
So thank you for referring us.
Find out about Active Communities
Teresa’s story is a great example of how being active can support your physical, mental and social wellbeing. Our Active Communities and Referral programmes offer a welcoming way to get moving, meet others and find activities that are right for you – whether you’re starting out, returning to exercise or managing a health condition.
From dance and yoga to walking sports and other inclusive activities, there are lots of ways to get involved, both at our leisure centres and in community venues closer to home.
Find out more about our Active Communities and Referral programmes and discover how you could join Teresa and others in enjoying the benefits of being active and connected.
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