Trafford Talking Therapies and GP surgeries take on parkrun for NHS’s 77th Birthday
On Saturday, 05 July 2025, staff, patients and families from Trafford NHS Talking Therapies and Sale Central Primary Care Network (a network of five local GP surgeries) came together to celebrate the NHS's 77th birthday by taking on the Stretford parkrun at Longford Park.
Taking place in Trafford, the birthplace of the NHS, the event saw a brilliant turnout with over 800 staff and members of the community joining in, with some being first timers at any parkrun event. Some ran, some walked, and everyone cheered each other on in a wonderful display of camaraderie and community spirit.
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Dr Hazel Bennett, Clinical Psychologist at Trafford Talking Therapies, run by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust said: “The NHS and parkrun collaboration is such a natural partnership – both are free, inclusive and invested in the health and wellbeing of the population.
“It was amazing to host our first Trafford NHS Talking Therapies parkrun takeover with our colleagues from the Sale Central Primary Care Network. Regardless of whether people jogged, walked, volunteered or watched, everyone came together and got involved, there was a real sense of community.
“A huge thank you to all of the staff, service users, families and partner organisations who came along and supported this event. Hopefully there will be a few people who didn’t know about Trafford Talking Therapies who are now aware of the service and a few more people who will now make parkrun part of their weekly Saturday morning routine.”
One member of the community said: “This is my first time here at parkrun, and I wanted to say that Talking Therapies really helped me earlier this year.”
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There are over 800 different parkruns happening in the UK every Saturday morning. Other local parkruns include Wythenshawe, Sale Water, Alexandra, and South Manchester. Anyone can turn up and take part.
The benefits to both physical and mental health of getting outside, exercising and being part of the community are well known, so much so that many GP practices are now prescribing parkrun as part of an initiative to make physical activity more accessible and enjoyable.
Dr Manisha Kumar, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Greater Manchester said : “We are thrilled with the turn out to the parkrun and want to thank everyone that took the time to celebrate 77 years of the NHS in such a positive way. 77 years is such an incredible achievement and there is no better way to commemorate the occasion than helping people feel their best.
“Exercise in any form is so good for us, not only physically but mentally because it boosts your mood and reduces stress. That’s why we really hope that events like parkrun will encourage people to take time each day to do some exercise. It doesn’t have to be running, it can be going for a gentle walk, or just moving sitting in a chair, it is whatever you feel you can start with - the important part is that we get our bodies moving.”
Professor Harish Thampy, Clinical Director for Sale Central PCN said: “This was a fantastic opportunity to bring together staff and patients from across the five practices in our PCN. It was wonderful to see some participants taking on their very first parkrun, hopefully inspiring continued efforts to improve health and wellbeing. Events like this help strengthen the connections between our practices and the communities we serve, while also promoting healthier lifestyles”
Imogen Halls, Project Lead – Health, at GM Moving said: “It’s been amazing to see health services coming together to encourage the local community to be more active. Every day movement matters to us all in some way, and has huge benefits not only to physical health conditions but mental wellbeing too.
“GM Moving is proud to be working with healthcare professionals to support communities across Greater Manchester lead more active lives by increasing movement and social connection. The Stretford Parkrun takeover is a fantastic example of this, with NHS staff leading the way as advocates in this influential movement for movement”.
Trafford Talking Therapies is an NHS service, run by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH).
It is available to the 30,000+ Trafford residents estimated to be currently suffering with an anxiety or depression related problem. It is available, free of charge, to anyone over the age of 16 years, who has a Trafford GP.
The service offers a range of different options matched to the types of problem experienced and the preferences of the person seeking help. Both video and face-to-face appointments, at a range of venues across Trafford, are available.
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.
Waiting times are short, with the majority of people referred starting therapy within 12 weeks.
To find out more about Talking Therapies at GMMH, you can watch this informational video.
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 your local Talking Therapies service, visit www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/find-nhs-talking-therapies-for-anxiety-and-depression .
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. For full details visit: 10 Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future - GOV.UK
