Tree and trainers mark winter mental health drive

A campaign to help people whose mental health suffers during the dark winter nights has been launched by a Berkshire-based charity.

Sport in Mind helps people improve their mental health by taking part in physical activity.

To mark the start of its Soles of the Season campaign, trainers and a Christmas tree were placed on the centre spot at Reading FC's stadium.

The charity said more than half the people it sees experience a downturn in their mental health in the winter.

It said it was important to provide "accessible, uplifting support" during the winter months.

In a recent study of Sport in Mind participants, 55% said that darker evenings negatively impact their mental health.

While 67% reported shorter days reduced their motivation and ability to be physically active.

Chief executive Neil Harris said: "Christmas can be a good amazing time for some people but for a lot of people it creates a lot of anxiety.

"A lot of people feel quite lonely and quite isolated so it's really important to reach out to people and connect with them."

The Soles of the Season campaign also encourages workplaces to support the charity by setting up a Christmas tree with trainer laces and tree tags for messages to be tied to the tree.

It is also asking people to decorate their trainers with seasonal touches like tinsel, glitter and baubles.

Since 2010, Sport in Mind's partnership with the NHS has enabled it to help more than 31,000 people struggling with mental health challenges.

It offers sport-based activities to promote physical activity in boosting people's mood and improving mental health.

Speaking at the launch of the festive campaign, Reading striker Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan said: "We're very lucky that we have maybe a group of 30 players that we can speak to on a daily basis.

"A lot of people don't have that type of relationship, so it's important that they have someone to speak to and organisations like this to make it possible for them."