Heads On are excited to share that the Heads On run club were interviewed today by ITV News Meridian to discuss the benefits that running can make to your mental health, after the University of Amsterdam shared insights about their research into run therapy and anti-depressants.
The Heads On Run Club was founded back in 2019 by Ian Puttock and Jeremy Sandford, who both work for Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Between them they have raised thousands of pounds for Heads On by running marathons or by taking part in other fundraising events. Every penny raised went towards setting up the three Heads On run clubs in Worthing, Horsham and Crawley.
The aim of the run club is to provide a safe space for members to enjoy the benefits of running for their mental and physical health. The club is free to all and is accessible to all levels of experience and fitness.
On Friday, the ITV Meridian film crew met with Ian and Jeremey at Worthing Leisure centre to talk about the difference the run club has made to local people's lives and the difference it can make to how you feel.
Ian shared that, whether it is for fitness or simply just for fun, everyone at the running group in Worthing has a different reason for clocking up the miles and said: "For me when you feel quite tired and quite low, but can make yourself get out the door to go for a run, by the end of it you can feel so much better."
There are now four weekly run club sessions available, led by Ian and Jeremy:
Worthing Leisure Centre Running Track, Shaftesbury Avenue, Goring-by-Sea, BN12 4ET. Every Friday, 12pm-1pm
Horsham Park Bandstand, Horsham, RH12 2DW. Every Monday and Thursday, 5.30pm-6.30pm
Crawley K2 Leisure Centre, Pease Pottage Hill, Crawley, RH11 9BQ. Every Wednesday, 1pm-2pm.
So, why not come along and give it a go, below we have shared some quotes from the current members of the group to help give you a sense of what it is like.
If you would like to join a run club session, or want to come along to see what it is like, email HeadsOnRunClub@spft.nhs.uk.
"Love the friendliness of the group, which encourages and supports"
"After suffering a prolapsed disc, depression and anxiety after having a baby in later life - I have found Heads On to be an absolute godsend. To be able to meet such kind, friendly and supportive people each week, whilst improving my fitness and clearing my head is amazing."
"Running not only improves me physically, but helps my mental health as well"
"It gets me out of the house and helps with my mental health"