BLACKBURN with Darwen’s public health director has urged residents to make the most of a new campaign to improve their mental wellbeing as coronavirus restrictions ease.

Professor Dominic Harrison said the advice on offer was vital for people to take the opportunity to start feeling good about life again.

The council is running its ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ campaign from Monday until Sunday June 20.

There is a theme to each of the five weeks with activities organised to support each proposal around the borough.

Week One will be called ‘Take Notice’; week two ‘Keep Learning’; week three ‘Be Active’; week four ‘Help Others’ and week five from June 14 to 20 ‘Connect’.

Professor Harrison said: “Covid has been really tough and it has stopped us from doing lots of things we enjoy and would normally do.

“So we want to encourage people to explore all the opportunities in our borough that can positively impact their wellbeing.

“We all need a bit of that at the moment. This campaign and its programme of activities are designed to encourage people to take up something new, or do more of something they already do, because it feels good and it has a positive effect on their mood.”

Throughout the five weeks the ways to wellbeing will be used to promote local services and activities designed to make people feel good and function well.

A timetable of activities happening across the borough during each week is available online.

The campaign builds on this week's Mental Health Awareness Week