What is the Mind Walk?
The Mind Walk is a virtual walk in July to raise awareness for all of us affected by mental health problems and to raise funds so we can keep fighting for support and respect.
The Mind Walk is not a physical fitness challenge, it’s about taking the fight for mental health out in the open. Walk up to 10km on a route of your choice and fly the flag for mental health your own way - walk on your own or with family, take in the sunrise or sunset or meet up with friends halfway for a midday picnic.
Walk with us on 3 July or pick any other day in July. Wherever we are in the country, we’ll be walking united in the fight for mental health – unstoppable together.
How do I take part?
Click on the ‘sign up’ button at the top of this page. You can register any time until the end of 3 July. Please note, if you register after 25 June, you will receive your t-shirt and flag after 3 July, subject to availability.
Choose your route and how far you'd like to walk. We recommend not walking any further than 10km. Check our guide to walking safely as you plan your route.
Before the event, we will send you a flag in the post. You can write your reason for taking part in the Mind Walk on your flag and carry it proudly while you walk.
Although we are apart, everyone taking part in the Mind Walk will be walking together in July for understanding, for change and for mental health – unstoppable together
Use the hashtag #theMindWalk to connect with others who are doing their own Mind Walk. Share your photos and stories on social media and make sure to tag Mind in your posts so we can see how your walk is going too.
Facebook: @mindforbettermentalhealth
Twitter: @mindcharity
Instagram: @mindforbettermentalhealth
You can also join the Mind Walk Facebook group, which is only for people taking part in the Mind Walk. You will get a link to this group once you have signed up.
How much does it cost to enter?
It's free to enter the Mind Walk and we ask everyone taking part to raise £100 to help make sure everyone with a mental health problem has somewhere to turn to for support. You'll qualify for a t-shirt when you get your first donation and a medal if you reach your £100 goal.
How old do I have to be to enter?
The Mind Walk is open to anybody, but you need to be 16 or over to register. If you are under 16 and still want to take part, please ask a parent or guardian to get in touch with us on themindwalk@mind.org.uk
How do I start fundraising?
We ask everyone taking part in the Mind Walk to aim for a goal of raising £100. Everyone who raises £100 or more will receive a medal.
You can start fundraising straight away and when you sign up for the Mind Walk your JustGiving page will be set up for you.
You’ll also be sent a digital guide to the Mind Walk within a few days of signing up, which will have fundraising advice to help you raise money to make sure no one has to face a mental health problem alone. . Visit the resource centre for lots of tips to help you have important conversations about mental health and more fundraising support. You can email us with questions any time on themindwalk@mind.org.uk.
Can I fundraise offline?
Due to Coronavirus, we recommend that you only fundraise through virtual platforms and in this instance your JustGiving page.
How do I get a t-shirt?
We will send you a t-shirt when you get your first donation on your JustGiving page, just make sure to give us your t-shirt size when you sign up.
Please note, if you register after 25 June, you will receive your t-shirt and flag after 3 July, subject to availability.
Can I take part in a group?
You're welcome to take part with friends or family, but please only do this within the latest government guidelines on social distancing.
Each person in your team should register separately, and you can join your pages through a team. When you set up your page you can either create a new team or join your friends and family in a team that they have set up.
We ask everyone taking part in the Mind Walk to aim to raise £100, though you can all fundraise together if you wish.
Can I fundraise for my local Mind?
The Mind Walk is a bespoke event created by National Mind. If you register with national Mind, all of your donations will go directly to national Mind.
Some local Minds are taking part in the Mind Walk and if you would like to fundraise for your local Mind, you will need to contact them directly.
We understand that the difference between national and local Minds often causes confusion and that many people are not aware of our federated structure.
We at national Mind are a separate charity from the local Mind organisations, and while we have similar aims and values, we fulfil slightly different roles. We provide the nationwide information services, Infoline, and campaign nationally for support and respect for everyone experiencing a mental health problem. This structure allows the local Minds to work on front line services specifically for the communities that they work with.
How do I remain safe during the challenge in Coronavirus?
It is important that we all continue to act responsibly to keep ourselves and others safe while taking part in the Mind Walk. Make sure to stay up to date and follow the UK Government guidance, including from devolved nations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland when undergoing your challenge. Restrictions and advice can change over time so in order to ensure you are remaining safe for yourself and other people we advise that you keep up to date with announcements and apply any new requirements and limitations to your fundraising.
Please consider carefully whether you wish to take on the challenge if you may be in vulnerable circumstances or be at higher risk from coronavirus. Your safety is the most important thing to us, and we do not want anybody to put themselves at risk through fundraising.
I’m having problems setting up my JustGiving page.
Please contact the JustGiving helpdesk here who will be able to advise you on any issues with your page.
My question isn't answered here
If you have more questions or can’t find the answer to your question here, you can visit our extra FAQs here for the most up to date information or email themindwalk@mind.org.uk.