Communities across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland came together to mark Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 (11–17 May), with a wide range of events, activities and new resources to support wellbeing, encourage conversations and improve access to help.

This year’s work focused on making support as accessible as possible, working in partnership and reaching people in their communities. A dedicated Mental Health Awareness Week webpage was created as a central place for information, including a calendar of local events, clear signposting to services, and downloadable resources for individuals, families and professionals.

Alongside this, teams worked together to plan and deliver a varied programme of community events, helping to make support visible and available in different settings across the area.

Charnwood

Charnwood saw a great level of engagement, with lots of local residents coming along to take part in activities that encouraged people to connect and look after their wellbeing.

Events included:

  • Rural Community Council setting up at Syston Tesco, where visitors could enjoy a free hot drink and have a friendly chat
  • Wellbeing stalls in Birstall, Loughborough Market and Shepshed, offering information, advice and support
  • A fun sports day at Fearon Hall, which moved indoors and carried on despite the heavy rain
  • Equality Action’s Health and Wellbeing event at Loughborough Wellbeing Centre

These events gave people a chance to connect with others, share experiences and find out about support in relaxed, community settings.

One attendee, Betty, aged 96 from Syston, highlighted the importance of staying connected:

“I try and get out and speak to people as often as I can.”

Leicester City

In Leicester City, a range of inclusive activities brought people together and reflected the diversity of local communities.

Highlights included:

  • An Over 50s Lunch Club hosted by the Muslim Khatri Association, bringing people together for food, conversation, a guest speaker and information stalls
  • “Cooking for wellbeing” sessions delivered by the Pearl Initiative
  • Outreach activity by Jamila’s Legacy at Highcross Shopping Centre, where volunteers shared information and signposted support services to shoppers and passers-by

Blaby

In Blaby, Mental Health Awareness Week showed the strength of partnership working. Organisations from across the district came together as part of the “Take a Shot for Taking Action” campaign, highlighting a shared commitment to supporting mental health.

Partners included:

  • Blaby Drop-In Centre
  • Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (Neighbourhood Leads and Community Mental Health Team)
  • Neighbourhood Mental Health Café
  • School Sports Partnership and Active Blaby
  • Turning Point
  • Social Prescribers
  • North Blaby Primary Care Network

This work showed how different organisations can come together, each bringing their own expertise, to support local communities.

Men’s Health Booklet Launch

A really positive moment during the week was the launch of a new Men’s Health booklet on Thursday 14 May, helping support men across the area in a more accessible and practical way.

The booklet was developed through collaboration between Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, Public Health teams, clinicians and local men’s groups. It brings together clear, practical guidance on mental and physical health, and is designed to feel relatable and easy to use.

It was launched at the My Space My Game football session with Blaby District Spartans, a local five-a-side football group and charity supporting young people.

The booklet was shaped by the voices and experiences of local men. Geoff Hughes (Circulus for Men) and Lee Jobber (The Modern Men Movement) said:

“As we are both passionate champions of men’s health and wellbeing, we’re genuinely grateful to have played a part in shaping this booklet. It reflects the kind of real, honest conversations we share with men every week that are grounded, practical, and without the ambiguity.

For us, it’s always been about creating spaces where men feel able to talk, be heard, and access support in a way that feels natural and accessible. Knowing what support is out there, and feeling empowered about using it, can make a real difference.

We’re especially pleased to see something that’s been created with men, not just for them. That’s where meaningful change really begins.”

The booklet got a really positive response at its launch, with people sharing how helpful and important they found it.

Bradley, a Blaby District Spartans player, said:

“I am glad to see this new booklet. Men don’t get recognised and we need this support.”

John, Chair of the Blaby District Spartans charity, said:

“Booklets such as this are a real help to men. My experience is that men often don’t talk about the things that matter until it is too late. I know from personal experience that bottling things up can be devastating. Here, we keep reminding each other that we can talk about what is bothering us and it is getting better — it is the social element that gets them here and keeps them coming back.”

Karl Percival, Disability Pathway Lead at Leicestershire and Rutland County FA, added:

“My role is getting busier as mental health gets more prominent. We know there is more we can do for men through football. Football is such a good way to bring men together, and people enjoy coming and getting to know each other. We want to grow this locally and nationally.”

Darren, Chair of Blaby District Spartans, said:

“This resource just for men is so good to have. We do a starter pack for all new players and we will add this booklet to the information that goes out.”

Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 highlighted the impact of working together and the value of community-led support. From local stalls and sports sessions to new resources and outreach, the week created opportunities for people to connect, talk and access help.

Partners will continue to build on this work, with a shared focus on making support visible, inclusive and accessible all year round.