Registered charity and social enterprise BH Live is supporting Mental Health Awareness Week (11-17 May 2026) with a timetable of fun exercise and wellbeing sessions at the Mountbatten Leisure Centre.

The sessions are designed to help participants improve their mental health, reduce stress and boost overall wellbeing through group exercise, movement and access to specialist resources, while also raising awareness of BH Live’s health and wellbeing programmes that support both mental and physical health.

Mental Health Awareness Week is an opportunity to encourage open conversations about mental health and highlight practical steps people can take to look after their wellbeing. Evidence shows that physical activity and social connection can have a positive impact on mental health, helping to reduce anxiety, improve mood and build resilience.

BH Live remains committed to continuing these conversations and initiatives to ensure every visitor has the resources, confidence, and support to begin, return, or continue their fitness journey. A full list of this year’s sessions is available below.

Pickleball
Mountbatten Leisure Centre | Wednesday 13 May, 5pm-6pm
FREE to attend

Come and have a go at Pickleball! With all equipment provided, this free and relaxed taster session combines tennis, badminton, and table tennis, played over a low net with a plastic ball with holes.

It’s easy to learn, inclusive, and engaging. Suitable for participants of all ages, this is a low-impact way to get moving and meet new people.

Find out more about our other community and health and wellbeing classes, as well as a range of mental health resources, including BH Live’s supported gym sessions, exercise referral scheme, Portsmouth Interaction (a sport and recreation service for adults managing a mental health condition), and more.

Advanced booking is required. Secure your space through the BH Live Active class timetable online or via the app.

Wellbeing Walks
Mountbatten Leisure Centre (meet outside reception) | Thursdays (until 27 August 2026), 10:30am-12pm
FREE to attend

Guided by BH Live Active instructors, improve your mental and physical health in a friendly and supportive group with a weekly 2.4 mile shoreline walk. Build stamina and strengthen legs while enjoying stunning shoreline views and the company of other participants.

Advanced booking is required. Secure your space through the BH Live Active class timetable online or via the app.

Please note: a health form will need to be completed before taking part. Sessions will take place until Thursday 27 August 2026.

Hot Topics: Menopause
Mountbatten Leisure Centre | Thursday 14 May 2026, 7pm-9pm
FREE to attend

Following the success of the first Hot Topics workshop in October 2025, BH Live brings back this open and honest discussion to Mountbatten Leisure Centre to tie in with Mental Health Awareness Week.

Delivered by local experts Dr Jill Rutter (PhD MSc BPharm Hons) and Ruth Heatherley (BA Hons PG Dip MBAC Reg), this session encourages participants to share their experiences, ask questions, and explore practical ways to manage the symptoms of menopause.

Advanced booking is required. Secure your space at bhliveactive.org.uk/whats-on

Portsmouth Interaction
Portsmouth Interaction provides a service for people living within the city with mental illness.

Through offering a variety of low-cost recreational activities from fitness to well-being, the scheme looks to pave the way for people to build new skills and gain confidence to allow them to move back into mainstream groups.

Trained staff will be on hand to support clients with a range of conditions. Some of the activities available via the scheme include:

• Supported gym sessions
• Swim sessions
• Guided group walks
• NEW social shoreline cycle rides

For more information about Portsmouth Interaction, visit bhliveactive.org.uk/health-and-wellbeing-activities/portsmouth-interaction

Mountbatten Leisure Centre is owned by Portsmouth City Council and is operated by BH Live.

On behalf of Matt Low, Portsmouth Area Manager, shared;

“Mental Health Awareness Week is a valuable reminder that looking after our mental wellbeing is just as important as our physical health. Through these sessions, we want to give people a welcoming, supportive space to move, connect and learn simple tools they can use in everyday life.”

BH Live is committed to inspiring more people to improve their health and wellbeing by moving more regularly and reducing barriers to physical activity. For more information about BH Live’s health and wellbeing programmes, visit bhliveactive.org.uk/health-and-wellbeing-activities.