This May, Broad Street Mall is inviting people to join them on a journey of discovery, as it embraces all ‘the little things’ that can promote positive mental health, in support of Mental Health Awareness Week 2024.

Between Monday 13^th and Sunday 19^th May, the centre will be hosting a week of activity that focusses on key themes associated with positive mental health, and celebrating the ‘little things’ that can make a big difference when it comes to positive wellbeing. The event will include daily activities across its social media channels as well as in the centre, that are free to take part in. They will also be offering top tips and informative resources on their website, all in a bid to support this national initiative.

On Monday 13^th May, the theme is ‘win a little’, with a bumper self-care hamper on offer to help one lucky winner relax and unwind. Those interested should visit the centre’s social media on this day to take part.

On Tuesday 14^th May, the theme is ‘love a little’. In support of this theme, Broad Street Mall will be partnering with local mental health charity Together for Mental Wellbeing, who support individuals struggling with their mental health by empowering them with the tools to move forward on a positive journey. The love and care this charity show to the community is vital, and on this day they will be in the mall offering information about their services, as well as showcasing some pieces from their art & poetry exhibition that have been created by their patients, to share the love even further with the Reading community.

On Wednesday 15^th May, ‘move a little’ showcases the centre’s partnership with Yoga Reading, offering people the chance to learn more about the power of movement. People should check out the centre’s social media on this day, to find an informative video on the power that embracing movement can have on mental health. The centre will also be running a fun poll on social media on this day, ahead of their marvellous mascot Topsy making appearances the next day. People will have the chance to choose for themselves if they would like Topsy to dance the Macarena or the Cha Cha Slide, when he pops out to greet people on Thursday.

As such, Thursday 16^th May is ‘dance a little’ day, and Topsy will be the star of the show! In support of ‘#WearItGreenDay’ Topsy and staff at the centre will be wearing green to raise awareness of the importance of positive mental health. Plus, Topsy will be making appearances throughout the day, giving out FREE HUGS and performing the dance that has been chosen for him from social media. He’ll also be collecting donations for the Mental Health Foundation, which will go towards helping this vital charity continue their amazing efforts in supporting those that may struggle with their mental health.

Across Friday 17^th May and Sunday 19^th May, the centre will be promoting the key places at Broad Street Mall where people can ‘laugh a little’ and ‘learn a little’ respectively, both empowering positive mental wellbeing. Their social media channels will showcase the vital role that their retailers and the centre itself have in trying to support positive wellbeing through the resources they have available to their visitors.

Finally, Saturday 18^th May is ‘care a little’ day. The focus on this day will be self-care, highlighting why it is so important and offering the chance for one lucky winner to win a self-care bundle prize to spend at retailers in the scheme. The focus is a self-care experience that gives the winner or a loved one a little ‘me’ time at the centre, the perfect way to start the weekend. People should head to the centre’s socials to take part.

If that’s not enough, the centre will be hosting a calendar throughout May on its website providing inspiration around ‘the little things’ people can do every day to put more time in their positive mental wellbeing, plus lots of local resources that people can tap into to support their everyday wellbeing. The resources will continue to be available beyond Mental Health Awareness Week too.

For more information on ‘The Little Things’ campaign, please visit www.broadstreetmall.com

Steven Connolly, Centre Manager at Broad Street Mall says, ‘Positive Mental Health is a cause very close to the hearts of those at the centre, so everyone at Broad Street Mall is getting behind this cause this year at a time when mental health awareness and offering ways to support a positive state of mind has never been more important. Retailers are being encouraged to wear green to reinforce the importance of this cause and they will continue to endorse and support it beyond the week itself, too. We hope our customers will get on board and take away key ‘little things’ that they can easily implement at home from all the resources on offer, that make a positive, lasting difference to their everyday lives.’