New Groups for 2022
Walk, Talk & Cook in partnership with Sprouts
Sprouts Community Charity have teamed up with Red Balloons to offer:-
- A Weekly Walk & Talk Session - A 45 minute Walk with trained Peer Supporters to improve your physical and mental Wellbeing. All our Peer Supporters have lived experience of tough times so can offer someone to talk to.
- A Healthy Recipe Bag to take away - After the Walk you’ll be given a bag with a recipe and ingredients to cook a healthy meal for you and your family.
Day: Every Tuesday
Time: 10.00 am
Meeting Point: Havelock Street Community Hub, Thornaby, TS17 6HN
Darlington - Tuesdays
*** STARTS TUESDAY 1ST FEBRUARY ***
Billingham - Mondays
*** STARTS MONDAY 8TH FEBRUARY ***
Run & Rant is back for 2022
WE HAVE SOME EXCITING NEWS!!!
RUN & RANT IS COMING BACK!!!
- Are you wanting to start 2022 with a new focus?
- Have you wanted to start running but your anxiety has kept you back?
- Do you want to join an inclusive group where the focus is simply getting one step in front of the other?
- Do you want a weekly space to get things off your chest, to continue the week on the right foot?
If you answered YES to any of those, then join us!!
All levels of fitness catered for. We will be following the NHS recommended Couch To 5km programme, with options available at the end to help you continue your running journey!
Sessions start Monday 3rd January
6pm, at Tees Barrage
Meeting point- outside the Talpore Pub
Run leader - CLAIRE!
Let us know if you will be attending!!
#ItsBack #RunNRant #peersupportsince2017 #physical #mental #wellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #YesYouCan #BeInspired #BeYourBestSelf #couchto5k #fitness #2022goals
Just Williams Ltd choose Red Balloons as a charity partner
A lot has happened for Red Balloons in the last year and it seems like a bit of a whirlwind really. Definitely in a good way.
The thing that humbles us (and yes sometimes we shed a tear or two) is when people want to support us either with time or to raise money for us. The fact that other people believe in us and support our mission just blows us away.
So a massive Red Balloons THANK YOU goes to Just Williams Ltd for choosing us as their Charity Partner alongside The Girls' Network
The Team have laced up their trainers and hiking boots in October and are running and walking 500 miles to raise funds for us. We'll be checking in regularly to see how the miles are adding up and to offer some encouragement.
Thank you to everyone taking part. From the bottom of our hearts🎈
https://www.justwilliamsltd.co.uk/physical #mental #wellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #YesYouCan #BeInspired #BeYourGreatest
Our November Numbers
Our Volunteers have carried out 35 x 1-1s and had 72 attendees at Group Walks in November. 107 opportunities for people to talk about their mental health. 107 opportunities for people to get out and walk with friendly, supportive company.
A massive thank you to our #volunteerarmy who work tirelessly to support others despite the weather and their own busy lives.
We're still recruiting Volunteers. Message if you'd like more information
Keep an eye here and on the Facebook Page for more services starting in the New Year 
#mental #physical #wellbeing #mentalhealthmatters #walkandtalk #fightingstigma #teamredballoons #peersupport
This is why we do what we do...
This is why we do what we do and what we do has a ripple effect. It not only touches the people we walk with, it reaches out to their families too.
"My dad has been coming to your walks a couple of months after losing my mam , I would like to thank Leigh and her team members for massively helping my dad to leave the house and enjoy an activity that I never thought he would especially in his grief and also giving him someone to talk to. Although he is still grieving your help is helping him to carry on having a life and take each day as it comes walking and talking with people in similar circumstances.
Thankyou so so much with all my heart keep up the amazing work you do in making a difference to peoples lives 
xx"
If you're grieving or having a tough time please get in touch. There's a space with us to talk about how you feel. No pressure, no judgement. We've got you
#mental #physical #mentalhealthmatters #wellbeing #walkandtalk #peersupport #safespace #redballoonsarmy #selfcare #volunteerarmy
Exciting News!!!
Red Balloons are delighted to announce that we have been granted Charitable Status by the Charity Commission.
2021 is proving to be an exciting time for us and we’re very proud to have gone from an online blog in 2017 to a fully fledged Charity by the middle of 2021. This is testament to the hard work of our founder, Claire, who has worked tirelessly to support people struggling with their mental health. Claire was joined by Volunteers and Trustees in 2019 and, with their support, the organisation has gone from strength to strength. We’ve embraced the challenges of the Pandemic and ensured that we continued to offer services throughout the last year. We’re looking forward to continuing our journey, building our team, working alongside other organisations and above all, continuing to support people facing difficult times and ill mental health in the community.
#physical #mental #wellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #YesYouCan #BeInspired #BeYourGreatest
We're over the moon to announce that Red Balloons has been successful in securing funding via the National Lottery Community Fund to set up and run our Community Wellbeing Ambassadors Project across Tees Valley. This funding will allow us to recruit, train and support Volunteers to become Ambassadors in their communities – organising and running Walk and Talk Sessions and Run and Rant Sessions and supporting people with their mental and physical health. We will ensure that Volunteers receive relevant training and have 100% support and that the project offers them valuable personal development opportunities. The project will also build capacity in the organisation allowing us to support many more people to improve their mental and physical health while giving them someone who will listen and do their best to support.
We'd like to send a massive thank you to the National Lottery Community Fund for believing in us, supporting us and giving us the opportunity to work towards realising our vision and mission. We'd also like to thank National Lottery players without whom this funding wouldn't be available.
For further information on Volunteering Opportunities, referrals, partnership working, support available – please contact Leigh via email – redballoons.volunteers@gmail.com
#physical #mental #wellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #YesYouCan #BeInspired #BeYourGreatest
A massive thank you to the Arnold Clark Community Fund. This funding will support our recruitment of new Volunteers and support our work 
#ArnoldClarkCommunityFund
#peersupport #mentalhealthmatters #VolunteerArmy #thankyou #walkandtalk #wellbeing #physical #mental #beinspired #beyourbestself #yesyoucan
We Are Recruiting Volunteers
Do you have:-
Lived experience of ill mental health and/or a chronic physical health condition personally or as a Carer
The ability to listen in a non-judgemental way with empathy
A desire to support others
A passion for being active and understanding of how this can improve mental and physical wellbeing
A few hours free per week
We offer:-
100% support and encouragement
Walk/Run Leader Training
Other relevant Training when funds allow
Travel expenses
Confidence building and leadership skills
Access to an amazing community of
Volunteers for support and friendship
If you'd like to know more please message us directly and we'll be in touch to organise an initial chat 
The National Lottery Community Fund
#MondayMotivation #wellbeing #mentalhealthmatters #mental #Physical #beyourbestself #yesyoucan #NationalLottery #communityfund #beinspired #quoteoftheday
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Find Out More
About Us
Meet The Team
Meet The Team
Find out more about our story, our mission and our future plan
Fundraising Opportunities
Fundraising Opportunities
Fundraising Opportunities
Want to raise money for us or just make a donation?
Wellbeing Hub
Fundraising Opportunities
Fundraising Opportunities
Check out everything you need to know about our additional services during the Coronavirus situation
Our Services
One to One Sessions
One to One Sessions
One to One Sessions
Start your fitness journey. An opportunity to talk to like minded people.
Run & Rant
One to One Sessions
One to One Sessions
Improve your fitness and get those worries off your mind
Walk & Talk
One to One Sessions
parkrun Meets
Start your fitness journey. An opportunity to talk to like minded people.
parkrun Meets
Public Speaking
parkrun Meets
Monthly parkrun meets
NEXT MEET - TBC as all parkrun events nationwide are currently suspended due to Coronavirus
Public Speaking
Public Speaking
Public Speaking
Does Claire’s story resonate? Do you want to raise mental health awareness within your organisation? Do you want to help motivate and inspire your staff and community?
Workshops
Public Speaking
Public Speaking
We offer a variety of workshops, designed to get people talking and to think about what they think they may know.
Peer Support
Peer Support Training
Peer Support Training
Sessions designed to encourage people to come together and talk, in a safe, non judgemental environment.
Peer Support Training
Peer Support Training
Peer Support Training
Have you an idea for a group you want to set up in your community? Are you unsure where to start? Would you like some information and advice?