Walk for Mental Health: Every Step Counts
YMCA Bournemouth is inviting people of all ages to take part in its 2025 Walk for Mental Health — a scenic 3.2-mile sponsored walk between Boscombe Pier and Bournemouth Pier — on Saturday 13th September, starting at 10:30 AM.
The goal is to raise £10,000 in support of YMCA Bournemouth’s Full Circle Counselling Service, which offers free and subsidised mental health support to children, families and vulnerable adults throughout the local community.
Why We Walk
Each week, over 100 local people rely on the Full Circle Counselling Service — a vital lifeline for many who would otherwise be unable to access support.
“Each week, around 100 people use our Full Circle Counselling Service,” says Amanda Clark, Lead Counsellor at YMCA Bournemouth. “This number of children and young people, parents, family members and vulnerable adults demonstrates the need for accessible mental health provisions locally. However, such provisions cost money.
Please join us and help us by walking to raise money and awareness; enabling us to continue to provide this much-used service. By giving up one Saturday morning in September, everyone who joins us will be positively impacting others and helping our local community. We are incredibly grateful for all and any funding that we receive – every single donation, large or small, makes a real difference.”
A recent client of the service shared:
“My therapy sessions with the YMCA have been very helpful to me. They helped me to cope with what I was going through and open my eyes on situations that should have never happened. I am now able to move on with my life.”
The service supports:
- Local families in crisis
- Young people with disabilities (through The Chatterboxes)
- Individuals experiencing housing challenges
- Separated families using YMCA’s Contact Centre
How You Can Help
- JOIN THE WALK – Sign up by emailing: christopher.wakefield@ymcabournemouth.org.uk
- RAISE FUNDS – We encourage every participant to raise £100 or more in sponsorship
- DONATE – Support the campaign at: Donate Here
- SHARE – Tag and follow @ymcabournemouth to spread the word
Event Details:
- Date: Saturday 13 September 2025
- Start Time: 10:30 AM
- Start/Finish: Boscombe Pier
- Distance: 3.2 miles along the beautiful Bournemouth seafront
- Medals for all participants
Participants are encouraged to arrive from 10:00 AM to check in, collect their sticker, and meet the YMCA team before setting off. The walk is open to all ages and fitness levels.
Together, we can make a difference—one step at a time.
