Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

James Hall and Lancashire Mind mark World Mental Health Day

James Hall and Lancashire Mind mark World Mental Health Day

James Hall & Co. Ltd and Lancashire Mind have marked World Mental Health Day through a "tea and talk" event.

Members of the Lancashire Mind team have been at James Hall & Co. Ltd’s Bowland View SPAR Distribution Centre today promoting positive mental health while employees took part in mindfulness activities including colouring exercises, breathing techniques, and enjoying a conversation over a brew.


Lancashire Mind staff were on hand to discuss the valuable services they offer to people who live and work in Lancashire and encourage employees to lace up their running shoes and get their best elf costume ready ahead of the charity’s Mental Elf Fun Run returning in November.

Headline sponsored by James Hall & Co. Ltd and SPAR for a third consecutive year, the Mental Elf Fun Run will take place in Leyland’s Worden Park on Saturday 30th November.

The much-loved event attracted 300 adults and children in fancy dress in 2023 helping to spread some early Christmas cheer along with raising vital funds for mental health.

Participants of all ages are invited to join in the 2k, 5k or Challenge Your S’Elf distances, and each will receive a wooden medal for taking part which doubles as a Christmas tree decoration.

Now in its 11th year, the concept of the Mental Elf Fun Run was created by Lancashire Mind, and as the event enters its second decade, 42 other local Mind charities across the country will be hosting a similar event in 2024 having seen the success of the Lancashire event.

Nicola Tomkins, Community and Events Fundraiser at Lancashire Mind, said, “The Mental Elf Fun Run is more than just a run – it's a celebration of mental health awareness and community support.

“It makes a real difference in the lives of those who struggle with their mental health. Every step taken and every donation made helps us continue our essential work in the local community.”

All proceeds from the Mental Elf Fun Run go directly to supporting Lancashire Mind’s life-changing mental health services.

These funds help provide wellbeing coaching, support groups, and educational programmes to individuals and families in need of mental health support in Lancashire. Mental Elf is also going into schools for the first time in 2024, with schools being encouraged to set up events in December supported by packs provided by Lancashire Mind.

Philippa Harrington, Marketing Manager at James Hall & Co. Ltd, said, “We are delighted to be headline sponsor of Lancashire Mind’s Mental Elf Fun Run again and are proud to be associated with an event that is now moving into schools and beyond its origins in Lancashire.

“It is a fantastic community event that brings Lancashire Mind’s work to life. While dressed up as a fun day out for all the family in the run up to Christmas, it gets people active and socialising and raises hugely important funds that support better mental health for people who live and work in Lancashire.”

James Hall & Co. Ltd is a fifth-generation family business which serves a network of independent SPAR retailers and company-owned SPAR stores across Northern England six days a week from its base at Bowland View in Preston.

More for you

C-store body warns of 'inflation-busting increase in wage costs'
Woman Holding British Pound
Getty Images/iStockphoto

C-store body warns of 'inflation-busting increase in wage costs'

Convenience store body Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) today (30) has warned the Chancellor about the negative effects of the new National Living Wage (NLW) increase, a day after the Chancellor announced a pay rise for over 3 million workers next year, with NLW rates rising by 6.7 perc cent.

From April 2025, the NLW will increase from £11.44 to £12.21 while 18-20 National Minimum Wage will rise by £1.40 per hour to £10 - the largest increase on record, marking the first step towards a single adult rate.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bacup Wine and Convenience shop, 34 Burnley Road, Bacup.

Bacup Wine and Convenience shop, 34 Burnley Road, Bacup.

Robbie MacDonald via LDRS

Shop’s licence bid rejected over illegal vapes and ‘no regard’ for children’s safety

A Rossendale shop has had a licence bid rejected after repeatedly selling vapes to children and having illegal products on its premises.

Management at the Ibra Superstore at 34 Burnley Road, Bacup, have shown ‘no regard’ for children’s protection and safety, and have insufficient controls for licensing, Rossendale councillors have ruled.

Keep ReadingShow less
SPAR retailer hits target to secure £100,000 free stock from James Hall

SPAR retailer hits target to secure £100,000 free stock from James Hall

SPAR North of England retailer Dara Singh Randhawa’s family store has been awarded £100,000 of free stock after hitting all his targets since moving to the symbol.

Dara and his family, who have their SPAR store in Patrington in the East Riding of Yorkshire, joined SPAR through its association with James Hall & Co. Ltd in August 2023 having taken the decision to maximise the store’s potential.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pound Sterling bank notes
iStock

National Living Wage to increase to £12.21 in April 2025

The government has on Wednesday announced its acceptance of the Low Pay Commission’s (LPC) recommendations on the rates of the National Minimum Wage (NMW), including the National Living Wage (NLW).

The rates which will apply from 1 April 2025 are as follows:

Keep ReadingShow less
Michael Fletcher

Michael Fletcher

Former Nisa chief Michael Fletcher appointed SPAR UK managing director

SPAR UK has announced the appointment of Michael Fletcher as its new managing director.

Fletcher spent 22 years at Tesco plc, where he held numerous senior commercial roles in the UK, Ireland and Asia. He joined Co-op Retail in 2013 where he held the position of chief commercial officer before moving on to become CEO of Nisa Wholesale, a role he held until 2022.

Keep ReadingShow less