A pilot in Telford and Wrekin designed to alleviate mental health waiting lists has secured funding thanks to the support of six different organisations.

The 'Move for Mood' project, by the Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT), is a nine-week pilot that will use physical activity to support people with mild-moderate mental health conditions, hosted by The Wellbeing & Recovery College.

Energize, Telford & Wrekin Council, Telford Mind and Shropshire Council have supported the project to help secure Sport England Together funding.

Referrals to IAPT from GPs, Social Prescribers and wider health professionals are increasing.

In response, Energize formed a working group to explore solutions using physical activity that could help reduce waiting lists and act as a preventative service to help people with mild-moderate mental health conditions.

The 'Move for Mood' project was devised after discussions within the working group featuring people from The Wellbeing & Recovery College, IAPT, Telford Mind, Telford & Wrekin Council, and Energize.

The pilot was also designed with help from community physical activity instructors and tutors with lived experience.

Following these discussions, MPFT made a bid to the "Community Physical Activity Investment" panel, which comprises Energize, Telford & Wrekin Council and Shropshire Council.

The panel meet regularly to enable and support bids from the community to put forward for Sport England's "Together Fund" and "Commonwealth Games" grants.

Following a recommendation from the panel, Sport England approved the bid for this pilot for the sum of £4,430 in late 2022, and the project has now started early this year.