Mind’s Safe & Effective Practice Guidance is a national framework developed with input from people with lived experience of mental health problems and physical activity providers. It is not a clinical manual, but a set of values-based principles to help you:
- Create emotionally safe environments.
- Recognize and respect participant boundaries.
- Offer appropriate support without overstepping professional roles.
- Make sessions accessible and inclusive.
Applying this guidance helps reduce risk, improve participant experience, and support long-term engagement.
The Mind Safe & Effective Practice Pilot led by Active Cheshire aims to support local physical activity providers in delivering sessions that are safe, inclusive, and mentally healthy. The guidance offers practical principles covering emotional safety, boundaries, supervision, and inclusive practice.
In Phase 1, we will work with 6–8 providers across Cheshire East, Cheshire West & Chester, and Warrington.
The pilot will:
- Improve provider confidence in supporting mental wellbeing.
- Strengthen referral pathways to NHS Talking Therapies.
- Build a peer network for shared learning.
- Develop a scalable model for future adoption.
