Women's walking group learn mental health first aid

Siobhán Crowther (left) and Danielle Ward (right) started Gather & Grow at the start of 2024 after realising others could benefit from their walks

A Worcestershire women's walking group has been teaching members mental health first aid.

Gather & Grow, based in Bromsgrove, was created by friends Danielle Ward and Siobhán Crowther.

The course was held at Droitwich Spa FC and was aimed at teaching members how to spot the signs of someone struggling.

Ms Ward said: "With this mental health training we have 26 people in the community [taking part] but the rippled effect and reach that 26 people could have is just massive."

The group's mental health course was ran by Ian Hines, a former prisoner and drug addict, who now works as a wellness consultant.

Discussing how and why the group was set up, Ms Crowther said: "I went through a couple of years when my kids were young where I was not in a good place so I started getting into mindfulness."

Ms Ward said those taking the course would cause a "ripple effect" in the community

She continued: "I have done it for a couple of years and me and Danielle were going out walking and we were continuously talking about mindset and we thought we would open it up. But we never thought it would take off like this."

Gather & Grow meets every Sunday and can be contacted on Facebook.

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