“Working in the community has reminded me that I matter”

I’ve struggled with my mental health and with feelings of loneliness for as long as I can remember. A chance encounter with an ultra marathon runner changed things. 

She got me into running and, after a number of parkruns and a 10K race together, she signed me up to do my first half marathon - the Great North Run. She signed up too and we started training for it together. This included runs through the park near to where we live and it was here we saw a group of people wearing red T-shirts! 

We’d seen GoodGym before through a Web search for running clubs but didn’t realise there was a group so close to us. Both keen to join, wanting to make new friends together, be active, and do good for the community, we signed up the next day! Our first task was litter picking.

Many people still feel shame or fear about talking openly and a belief that they should "just cope" or keep their feelings hidden. Also, because mental health struggles often aren’t visible, people might appear “fine” on the outside while feeling entirely unwell inside, making it harder to receive any empathy or support. 

Even when surrounded by others, like at races, people can feel deeply alone. I struggle massively with feelings of loneliness and isolation, which is largely imagined. Indeed, conditions like depression or anxiety can distort thinking, making people feel hopeless, worthless, or stuck in cycles. 

It can become hard to separate incorrect thoughts from reality and things can become overwhelming. Even getting out of bed or answering an email can feel like an enormous task. I find myself overthinking often, and going down unhelpful rabbit holes and often self sabotaging relationships! This is especially true where I feel like I’m burdening others, which is why people tend to avoid reaching out for help. A lot of people don’t find help for this reason or a belief that their own struggles don’t matter or are a lot less compared to others.

I struggle with feeling invisible. Working in the community has reminded me that I matter. When I help, it helps. That feeling - that I have value, that I’m seen - has been a powerful antidote to the loneliness and self-doubt that often accompany poor mental health.

Supporting others has also created space for me to be more honest with myself. I don’t have to pretend to be perfect. Community work thrives on vulnerability and shared experience. The more I connect with others, the more I realise I’m not alone. My struggles aren’t unique - but neither is my strength.

It’s also helped me build routine, purpose, and belonging - three things that make a real difference when you’re trying to manage your own wellbeing. Community work doesn’t erase the hard days, but it does give me a reason to keep going, and it gently reminds me: I am here. I am part of something. I do matter.

Working in the community has given me connection, purpose, and perspective.

It’s helped me feel less alone - being part of something bigger than myself has reminded me that I’m not the only one struggling. There’s comfort in shared experience, and it’s powerful to know that just by showing up and listening, I can make a difference in someone else’s day.

It’s also given me structure and motivation, especially on days when my own mental health feels heavy. Having a reason to get out, to contribute, and to be counted on has grounded me and made me feel useful and valued. 

Most importantly, community work has helped shift how I see myself. Instead of focusing on what I’m lacking, it’s helped me see what I have to give.

I try to look after my mental health in small, consistent ways. I’ve learned that it’s often the everyday things that make the biggest difference.

 Spending time in nature helps me reset - I find even a short walk or just noticing the sky can shift my mood. Running can make a huge difference too! I also write things down, especially when my thoughts feel tangled; getting them out of my head and onto paper helps me make sense of them.

I’ve become better at recognising when I need rest and when I need connection. Some days I need quiet, and other days I need to talk to someone who understands, although I do tend to overshare! I also try to protect my time and energy by setting boundaries, even though that’s still a work in progress.

Most importantly, I remind myself that it's okay to ask for help. Taking care of my mental health means staying honest with myself, being kind to myself, and treating my needs as valid.