Mindful towns and villages

What is a Mindful Town or Village?

Mindful towns and villages offer safe spaces for people to have an open conversation about their mental wellbeing with locally trained individuals willing to support their communities.

People from within the community (such as small local businesses, community groups, sports clubs, residents who like to support others) will have completed low level mental health awareness training and can use this knowledge to provide support and signpost to other services as needed. These individuals are called Wellbeing Champions.

Each town or village requires a minimum number of Wellbeing Champions to gain Mindful status.

Existing Mindful Towns and Villages

The following areas in South Norfolk and Broadland currently have Mindful Town and Village status:

Becoming a Wellbeing Champion

• Local community groups and businesses are trained to be Wellbeing Champions.
• A 'Mindful Towns' logo will be displayed by business and community groups one they have completed their training to make residents aware they are safe spaces for those struggling with their mental wellbeing.
• These shops, cafes, pubs and community groups become safe spaces for people to talk about their mental wellbeing.
• Where it is identified that someone may need more support, the safe space can refer people to the Help Hub.

More information on becoming a wellbeing champion is available on the next page.

Criteria to achieve mindful status

The number of champions required to achieve ‘Mindful’ town or village status depends on the population size of the town or village.

• large towns (+10,000) - 15+ champions
• medium towns (7,501-10,000) - 10+ champions
• small towns (5,001-7,500) - 8+ champions
• large villages (2,501-5,000) - 6+ champions
• small villages* (1,001-2,500) - 4+ champions
• small parishes (-1,000) - 2+ champions

Once the minimum number of champions is met, we will contact you to let you know and then announce it publicly, so residents are aware.