Out and About: Share Royston

Out and About: Share Royston

Covid times have been exceptionally hard, and the latest lockdown has seen many people struggle. Despite the bad times, our sense of community has never been stronger, and the new Share – Royston group on Facebook is one such initiative. From a standing start at the end of January, the group now has over 400 members.


Set up by Karl Lattion, along with Craig McMurrough, Bridgette Cameron and Natalie McLarney, Share – Royston is all about connecting and supporting people who are struggling with their mental health. Like many of us, the founders’ mental health has been tested with the latest lockdown, with a general sense of feeling cut off from the real world – a kind of cabin fever.
They wanted to set up a safe space for people to come and share thoughts, ideas and positive vibes, and make it somewhere that people can try new things, learn new skills, share fun activities and hobbies to help people feel connected and pass the time.

The group is open to everyone in the community, and poor mental health can affect us all.
The support from the local community has been fantastic, and Share – Royston now have classes online that people can join. Activities include: online talks about mental health and how it affects them, cookalong classes, games, tips and tricks, arts and crafts, DJs to keep us entertained at the weekend, fitness classes including couch to 5k, ideas and competitions, chats, mindfulness classes and much more.

One popular initiative is #WalkandTalk, which encourages people to get out of their house and buddy up with a friend or someone new from the site, as it can be quite hard to motivate yourself on your own, to chat and walk. People agree to stick to the Government guidelines, with one other person and keeping a one-metre distance and go out for an hour to chat. They then post their photo and tag as #walkandtalk and it links to the page. This has led to some step challenges, and a new Strava club, #WalkandTalk.

Karl explains; “I have found exercise has been my saviour during lockdown – healthy body, healthy mind and all that. We’ve already had great success and people all over Royston have been following the guidelines, but getting out and having a chat. I know I’ve felt better for it. We are working on a project at the moment to make it a lot more fun, we are just waiting on the financial approval, so keep your eyes on our Facebook page for updates.”

The Facebook group also has mental health nurses and practitioners on hand, and they liaise with crisis groups and can signpost people in the right direction should extra support be required.
The group has also been instrumental in supporting those in need during the current times, by coordinating donations to local food banks and clothing banks.

Overall, the main ethos of the group is to remember that “It’s OK Not To Be OK”. Please reach out if you need a chat, someone to talk to or try one of the free fab online classes.
If you can donate something towards this new community, remember that donating does not have to cost anything apart from your time. If someone is feeling lonely, all they really need sometimes is a chat.

Join the group on Facebook at http://bit.ly/ShareRoyston and see the page opposite for the weekly calendar and how to get involved


Enjoy a host of activities from Share – Royston. Keep an eye on the Facebook group for full details.

Monday
Motivational Monday with Aussie Dave and the Fighting Fit Crew. Live Zoom 7am, 9am, 6pm link posted

Bite-size Qigong routines, stretching and mindfulness with Iga. 12-12.15pm – link to be shared weekly

Tuesday
Beginners Crocheting and Crafts with Hannah C- 7.30pm 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month starting in March. Packs to be provided.

Wednesday
Every Wednesday morning Kickstart with Parkfit’s Harry, Stretch and mobility- 9am- Link to be posted.

Wellbeing Wednesday- Various Lunchtime chats will be organised

Thursday
Nicky’s Rethink Mental Health peer support group- 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month, www. facebook.com/roystonrethink/

Friday
3rd Friday of every month DJ Darren Tomkins, Funky House and Club Classics- link will be posted

Saturday
Every Saturday DJ Soul Simon Robertson- Soulful Bangers 8pmlate: https://www.mixcloud.com/ live/simonrobertson357

11am weekly Couch to 5k Virtual coaching with Grant Chapman- Live Facebook session (recorded if you miss it)

Sunday
Ivan’s virtual Pub Quiz with the Fox And Duck, date to be confirmed


How can you get involved?
Join the group on Facebook at http://bit.ly/ShareRoyston
Do you have a talent or skill to share, or are you happy to teach a class for free?
Are you a local business who could sponsor the next stage of the #walkandtalk project?
Message via the Facebook group or contact us at The Listing, and we will put you in touch.