Trafford Talking Therapies and Sale GPs complete parkrun

Trafford Talking Therapies and Sale GPs complete parkrun for the NHS’ 78th birthday!

Last month, Trafford NHS Talking Therapies and the 5 GP practices within the Sale Central Primary Care Network (PCN) came together to take on the Sale Water Park parkrun, in honour of the NHS’ 78th birthday, with over 260 people taking part. The run took place in Trafford, the birthplace of the NHS, there was a great sense of community spirit, with over 260 people taking part.

It is well known that a sense of community, fresh air and physical activity are all beneficial for mental and physical health. Trafford Talking Therapies, Sale Central PCN and GM Moving have joined forces on an initiative to encourage their service users to attend their local parkrun for the huge benefits to wellbeing that it offers.

The parkrun event and the encouragement of patients to get moving to boost their health, is part of the new NHS 10-year plan to shift the focus from treatment to preventative healthcare, helping the public to live healthier lives for longer.

Dr Hazel Bennett, Clinical Psychologist at Trafford Talking Therapies, run by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust said:

“Seeing our colleagues and service users come together to improve their physical and mental wellbeing was wonderful.

“Regardless of their fitness level or mobility, everyone was able to get involved and experience the benefits of social connection through movement, volunteering, or simply coming along to support.

“It was also a great opportunity to raise awareness of Trafford Talking Therapies, the different services we provide and the positive impact of therapeutic intervention”.

Parkrun launched its new Health and Inclusion Strategy on Monday 15th of June 2026. The new strategy highlights that parkrun is beneficial for mental wellbeing and social inclusion, as well as participants’ physical health, making it even more suited as the setting for this wellbeing initiative.

There are hundreds of parkrun events taking place every Saturday morning at 9am. parkrun is a free community event that anyone can join, where you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate.

It is positive, welcoming and inclusive, there is no time limit, and no one finishes last. 

You can find your local event via their website:home | parkrun UK. 

Dr Simon Tobin, GP and parkrun Ambassador for Health and Wellbeing, said:

“It was wonderful to see parkrun UK’s new Health and Inclusion strategy in action today at Sale Water Park parkrun. Sale (Central) Primary Care Network and the Trafford NHS Talking Therapy team are doing some great work to link local GP practices, mental health services, their staff and service users to parkruns in the area.

“I’ve seen firsthand the impact that volunteering, walking, jogging and running at parkrun can have on people’s mental and physical health. We have a fantastic opportunity to use parkrun, a free, community asset, to make a positive difference to the lives and health of people across the UK”.

Imogen Halls, Project Lead for Health and Wellbeing at GM Moving, said:

“We’ve been really proud to, once again, join forces with health services in Trafford for another ‘parkrun takeover’ event to mark the NHS birthday, and celebrate the joy of moving your body, getting outside, and connecting with others.

“It was brilliant to speak to a range of people who benefit from getting involved in parkrun in whatever way suits them, really emphasising that there is something here for everyone. 1 in 4 people are more likely to be active if recommended by a health & care professional, so we’d love to support more health services across Greater Manchester get involved in community activities that focus on improving physical and mental health through movement and connection”.

Trafford Talking Therapies is an NHS service, run by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. It is available, free of charge, to anyone over the age of 16 years, who has a Trafford GP.  

The therapies on offer are research-backed and proven to work, with over 75% of people reporting a significant, life-improving reduction in symptoms; and over 50% reporting that they have fully recovered from their problems. Both video and face-to-face appointments, at a range of venues across Trafford, are available.

Waiting times are short, with the majority of people referred starting therapy within 12 weeks. 

To access Trafford Talking Therapies, you can self-refer by visiting www.gmmh.nhs.uk/trafford-talking-therapies or speak with your GP.

To find out more about Talking Therapies at GMMH, you can watch this informational video.To find your local Talking Therapies service, visit www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/find-nhs-talking-therapies-for-anxiety-and-depression./