Brian Lightbody founder and CEO of Lightbody Health CIC has been awarded £7,900 by the National Lottery for the provision of walk and talk groups across the Liverpool City Region.
Lightbody Health CIC was set up in 2020 with the aim of improving the physical / mental health of individuals across the Liverpool City region through engagement in Physical Activity. The aim of the Walk and Talk groups is to engage people in Liverpool’s beautiful greenspace and parks, walking with other people providing a safe space to share what’s on their mind, all with the central aim of improving people’s mental health. The groups are open to all adults across the city, all abilities are encouraged and to get involved people just need to access the website Walk & Talk – Lightbody Health and there is an option to join your local group.
Brian has already secured partnerships with Liverpool YMCA supporting some of their groups to engage in walking and greenspace, also recently launching a Sunday walking group in Stadt Moers park in Knowsley. Going forward the aim is to have groups available every night of the week so people can get out and get talking, the Sefton Park group to be launched early April.
Brian’s background is professional fitness coaching however over past years Brian has developed a passion for targeting poor mental health and physical inactivity across the city. In 2020 Brian and fellow board member Paul Growney completed the Carry that weight challenge in aid of suicide prevention awareness in which this year they look to have a bigger event which will be launched in May.
Brian stated ‘I am really proud and grateful that the national lottery has funded this service and am really looking forward to getting people active and more importantly getting people talking. I cannot stress enough that these groups are about reducing social isolation, talking, peer support, although we are walking its not about fitness or physical challenges. Its about activity and talking, all confidential and all safe’.