Unfortunately, I have to share some bad news: after ten incredible years, we are having to close Mental Health Mates.

Behind the scenes, myself and the MHM board have been working hard to try and secure long term funding for the organisation for some time. The last two years have been a particular struggle as the corporate/charitable-giving landscape has changed, and we have found companies less and less willing to get behind our cause. Despite our enthusiasm and some amazing donations from the incredible MHM community – not to mention all the people who very kindly sponsored me to run (almost) naked around Goodwood in December – we have found it hard to secure anything sustainable. Earlier this month, we discovered we had been unsuccessful with a significant funding bid. As a result, after lengthy and painful discussions,  we have together had to make the heartbreaking decision to close Mental Health Mates.

This is one of the hardest decisions I have had to make. I know it will be deeply disappointing for many of you, because it is deeply disappointing to me. If you are feeling unsettled by the news, please remember you are not alone. We have put together a list of amazing support services that still exist below.

We have all been through incredibly difficult things before, and we will get through this. None of what has happened takes away from the amazing walks that the walk leaders have created, or the wonderful ten years we have had together. If you had told me a decade ago that the little walk I went on out of desperation to connect would turn into what it has, I would have wept in disbelief. Today I weep with gratitude: for everyone who ever came on a walk, and to all the amazing, incredible walk leaders who have taught me that despite what our brains might try and tell us, we matter. We matter, and we belong, and no corporate budget cuts will ever, ever change that.

With love and eternal gratitude,

Bryony x

April 2026