Action Mental Health (AMH) has teamed up with Dr Jonny Bloomfield for a free all-day NetWalking event at Stormont Estate on Friday 27 June 2025. With a target of 500k steps this charity NetWalk will raise funds for vital mental health services in Northern Ireland, while helping raise awareness and well-being.

Beginning his career as a fitness coach at Ulster Rugby before becoming a physiologist at the Sports Institute of Northern Ireland, Jonny is well knownas a health and performance coach specialising in stress, sleep, exercise & nutrition. He has 20 years’ experience working in areas of high performance, across different industries and a background in sports science and exercise physiology.

So what exactly is NetWalking? Simply, it is networking while you walk, with this event targeted at anyone who fancies an informal stroll and the opportunity to make new acquaintances while raising funds for mental health. Ticking two of the ‘Take 5’ elements for mental health and well-being; connecting with others and exercising in a green space, NetWalking is widely recognised for its many feel good restorative properties and sense of community.

The concept which originated from ditching the office in favour of talking while walking, has proved very popular as it combines shared experience and the ability to have a conversation without distraction. In the world of business development, NetWalking has quite literally gained a foothold, bringing business people together away from the traditional confines of whiteboards, boardrooms and online meetings, so often associated with traditional networking.

Jonny said, “I’m delighted to be involved with this free NetWalking charity event which will help raise money for mental health services in Northern Ireland. Our usual last Friday of the month netwalk started post-Covid with a regular 10am event from Stormont Estate’s yellow ‘chatty benches’. It is really popular with new people joining every month. We take the route through the woods and then up the hill in front of Stormont, with each person usually clocking up 5000 steps – approximately 3-4 miles. It is an informal event where people are encouraged to partner up.”

 “Adding, the AMH charity NetWalk on Friday 27 June 2025 will start at the yellow chatty benches just inside the main gates. This special event offers up the opportunity to be involved in one to five netwalks with starting times of 8am, 10am, 12 noon, 2pm and 4pm.  We have a sign-up target of 100 people to collectively achieve 500k steps so please share this event with your family, friends and networks.”

Testimonials from the Last Friday Netwalk at Stormont –

“The Netwalking group has become my benchmark for the month, a space I always look

forward to. It’s welcoming, uplifting, and Jonny sets such a warm, inclusive tone that

meaningful conversation just flows. It is connection, community, and a breath of fresh air all

in one!” – Regular Netwalker, Amanda Barr, Breakup & Divorce Coach

“So glad I joined the Netwalking group for my first dander round Stormont Estate Friday

30th May. Such a welcoming and friendly bunch. Got to have some interesting chats and

meet like-minded people.” – 1 st Timer May 2025, Benny McClure, E M Gray & Co

“Netwalking has been amazing for me. I would usually avoid traditional networking as it can

feel stuffy and forced. This is the exact opposite. Casual and friendly with everyone genuinely

nice and wanting to support each other.” – Regular Netwalker, Matt Greer, Navigate IFA

AMH Fundraising and Engagement Officer, Iain McCarthy said, “As walking and talking helps generate conversation organically, this method of exercise and chatting is a catalyst for creativity, as the rhythm of walking helps with idea formation. Additionally, this informal meeting method helps build connections on a level playing field, making it an enjoyable but dynamic experience. It’s well-being that goes beyond the confines of walls. This event is for everyone from all walks of life and for most fitness levels.”

To get involved please sign up as an individual or group at [email protected] 

To donate online please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/netwalk-stormont

Oggie, Oggie, Oggie Oi, Oi, Oi

Oggie is back with his next epic challenge, set to hit 800 official marathons within 800 weeks and donate £800 to help vital mental health services in Northern Ireland. All of this just days after he celebrates his 68^th birthday on 1 May 2025, when he runs this year’s Moy Park Belfast City Marathon for Action Mental Health again.

From competing in the Belfast City Marathon last year where he achieved his 250th sub 4hr marathon for Action Mental Health out of his total at the time, which then stood at 740 official marathons, he has since added another 60 official marathons to this total. This will amount to 800 on the day of the Belfast City Marathon on Sunday 4 May 2025.

As well as being such a long-time supporter of Action Mental Health, Oggie has also ran a lot of marathons for other charities, including:

World Cancer Research, Action Cancer, Age Concern, Air Ambulance, Southern Area Hospice, McMillan Cancer Support, Foyle Hospice, PIPS, Marie Curie Cancer Care, The Donkey Sanctuary, Simon Community, Aware, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Northern Ireland Hospice, The Rainbow Project and Pretty in Pink.

This year, just one week before Belfast City Marathon, Oggie has also ran the London Marathon on 27 April. He revealed,

“I feel quite blessed and lucky that I am fit enough to always qualify for the bigger major marathons” explaining that he does not have a coach or a personal trainer, preferring to conduct the hard training work under his own steam in all weather conditions.

With a strict and demanding training regime, Oggie looks to future potential achievements with a measured approach saying,

“I take each day at a time and while I train on a daily basis and keep myself at optimum fitness, I’m realistic about my goals and how I may achieve them. I ran my first marathon on my 55^th Birthday, which was at the Belfast City Marathon in 2012 and I had no prior sporting history before this time, not even in my school days. I know how important exercise in general is for mental health; it’s great for mind, body and soul. Aside of my accomplishments, if I can encourage others to make sport a part of their lives, even in a small way, I will have achieved my greatest goal of all.

Adding, “We all need encouragement, it’s just that important; runners share and help one another, and I’m often asked how I do it. To this day other runners and bystanders all give me the inspiration to keep going.”

Jonathan Smyth, Head of Communications & Fundraising, Action Mental Health said: “As a loyal supporter of Action Mental Health, Oggie reached out once again to let us know about his new personal challenge and we are absolutely thrilled to have his support and generosity once again. Oggie has pledged to donate £800 to support our vital mental health services, when he completes his challenge. We know that running, and indeed all physical activity is a great way of supporting your mental health, so we are particularly delighted to be the beneficiary of this amazing challenge and we wish Oggie well.”

In conclusion, Oggie said,

“I hope that my efforts will inspire other people to become active. I firmly believe exercising and keeping active can help not just our physical health but our mental health too. This is why I thought what better way to celebrate than to donate money from the Moy Park Belfast City Marathon to Action Mental Health, to help support the important work they do across Northern Ireland.”

If you feel inspired by Oggie’s story, run today for someone’s brighter tomorrow. Join #TeamActionMentalHealth and raise vital funds for mental health services in Northern Ireland. For more information, email [email protected].

Action Mental Health are closed for Easter until 28/04/2025.

If you are in crisis, please contact Lifeline on 0808 808 8000. Trained counsellors are available by phone 24/7.

Regards,
Action Mental Health

This May, let’s take action for mental health – one step at a time!

Join Action Mental Health in our Step Up for Mental Health campaign by committing to 10,000 steps a day throughout #NationalWalkingMonth in May. It’s a simple, yet powerful way to prioritize your mental and physical wellbeing, all while raising vital funds for mental health services.

Get involved and start walking, raising awareness, and making a difference in the lives of those affected by mental ill-health.

Sign up now, to get your special challenge t-shirt by clicking here and together, we can Step Up for Mental Health!

Are you an employer who wants to make a lasting impact on mental health? Here are five expert-backed tips from Action Mental Health’s Workplace Wellbeing specialists to help cultivate positive change in your workplace.

1. Focus on Prevention, Not Just Reaction

Prevention is key when it comes to workplace mental health. Research shows that early intervention can significantly reduce the risk of long-term mental health conditions. In Northern Ireland, around one in five [1] adults experience a mental health issue at any given time, yet many do not seek support early enough.

Embedding mental health training, workshops, and awareness initiatives can equip staff with the tools they need to manage their own wellbeing. Proactive support can lead to lower absenteeism, reduced presenteeism, and improved overall staff morale.

2. Invest in Management Training

Managers are often the first point of contact for employees experiencing mental health challenges. However, a recent UK survey found that only 24% of managers feel confident supporting a team member experiencing poor mental health [2]. Without the right training, managers may struggle to have compassionate conversations or provide appropriate signposting.

Providing managers with mental health training empowers them to support their teams effectively, fostering a more open and understanding workplace culture.

3. Provide Accessible Support

Workplace mental health support should be easy to access and clearly communicated. Whether you implement Mental Health First Aiders, Wellbeing Champions, or an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), it’s vital that staff know where to turn when they need help.

A UK study found that for every £1 invested in workplace mental health interventions, businesses see an average return of £5 due to reduced absenteeism and increased productivity [3]. Investing in accessible mental health support is not just beneficial for employees but also makes good business sense.

4. Adopt a Whole-Organisation Approach

Creating meaningful change requires more than one-off initiatives. To truly embed mental health as a priority, businesses should take a whole-organisation approach. This means ensuring that workplace policies, procedures, and leadership strategies reflect a commitment to employee wellbeing.

In Northern Ireland, mental health-related sickness absence costs employers hundreds of millions of pounds [1] each year. Companies that embed wellbeing into their culture experience higher retention rates and improved workplace satisfaction.

5. Don’t Do It Alone!

Supporting mental health in the workplace can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Action Mental Health, we specialise in equipping employers with the tools and expertise needed to support employee wellbeing.

Whether you’re looking for early intervention training, consultancy on mental health policies, or a comprehensive strategy to embed wellbeing into your organisation, our Workplace Wellbeing team is here to help.

Let’s work together to create healthier, more resilient workplaces across Northern Ireland!

References:

1. Mental Health Foundation (2023). “Mental Health Statistics – Northern Ireland.” Available at: [https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk]
2. Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) (2023). “Health and Wellbeing at Work Report.” Available at: [https://www.cipd.co.uk]
3. Deloitte (2022). “Mental Health and Employers: The Case for Investment.” Available at: [https://www2.deloitte.com]