A CHARITY group put on their walking boots as a way of raising awareness for mental health care.
The group walked from Bishopstoke to St Catherine's Hill on May 21 in aid of the Soteria Network UK.
Fourteen people, consisting of carers and people with lived experiences, took part and they walked along the River Itchen to St Catherine's Hill in an event called "Walk for Soteria".
They were raising awareness for the approach of more informed choices about treatments with mental health care and more compassionate methods in mental health services.
The charity walk was formed by two carers, Jan Pearson and Leslie Brinkman, to promote the organisation's aim and spread awareness of mental health and more compassionate approaches.
As part of the charity walk, they also included papers attached to them on their backs or fronts with words such as "Hope" and "Choice" written on them.
Jan said: "The words hope and choice inform the kind of compassionate interpersonal care that Soteria believes in."
Jan oined the cause of Soteria Network UK through the organisation's monthly meet up via Zoom, where she met Leslie, who suggested and coordinated with her to make the "Walk for Soteria" charity event.
With the event's success, they hope to be able to make it into an annual event to both fundraise and spread the compassionate alternatives in mental health care.
Soteria offers therapeutic relationships and provides support for people going through a mental health crisis.
Formed in 2004, Soteria Network UK holds several events and meetings throughout the year.
One of the organisation's aims is to set up a Soteria House in the UK.
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