A free day of music, creative activity and practical support will take place in Hartlepool on Friday 9 October, bringing local services and community organisations together at the Centre for Living.
The event runs from 9.30am to 3pm at the centre in Burbank Street. Hartlepool Borough Council says visitors can expect live music, choir performances, art activities, chair aerobics, a schools art competition and information displays. Organisations offering wellbeing advice and support will also be available to meet residents during the day.
A day built around practical support
The programme has been organised by Hartlepool Borough Council with community partners including Healthwatch Hartlepool and Hartlepool Community Trust. Entry and the advertised activities are free. Tea and coffee will be available, while a free lunch of soup and a bun is scheduled for noon.
Although the gathering marks World Day, which falls internationally on 10 October, Hartlepool's event is being held one day earlier. The local programme takes a broad view of wellbeing, mixing opportunities to talk with gentle exercise, creativity, music and time spent with other people.
Councillor Christine Wiley, chair of the council's Adult Services and Committee, said the event would show some of the different ways people can look after their wellbeing. She pointed to being active, learning, music, creativity and social contact among the activities that can help people stay mentally healthy.
Community champions recognised
The 2026 Hartlepool Community Wellbeing Champions Awards will be presented during the event. Healthwatch Hartlepool describes this as the third year of the awards, which recognise unpaid contributions to other people's social, emotional or physical wellbeing in the town.
This year's nominations covered four categories: Young Champion for people aged up to 18, Adult Champion for those over 18, Group Champion for voluntary or community organisations, and Dementia Champion for work connected with dementia care, support or activity. Healthwatch said nominees had to live or be based in Hartlepool and could not receive payment for the work being recognised.
Healthwatch's awards announcement names a wider group behind the scheme: the PFC Trust, Hartlepool Community Trust, the Hartlepool World Mental Health Day Planning Group, Healthwatch Hartlepool and Hartlepool Borough Council. The mix reflects how the celebration joins public services with voluntary and community organisations rather than placing the whole programme with one provider.
The awards bring a more local focus to the day. Alongside organisations explaining what help is available, they give space to residents and groups whose regular, often informal work supports neighbours, families and communities.
What visitors need to know
The World Mental Health Day celebration takes place at the Centre for Independent Living, Burbank Street, Hartlepool, from 9.30am to 3pm on Friday 9 October. The awards are due to be presented during the day, with Healthwatch previously listing a 1pm presentation time.
The council's notice presents the event as open to residents and does not state that advance booking is required. It does not give detailed information about capacity or individual access arrangements, so anyone who needs to confirm those points before travelling can call the Centre for Independent Living on 01429 401700.