Staff at mental health charity get set for marathon

Staff are running the London Marathon for a charity which supports people who have been hit by depression, breakdown or other stifling conditions.

Mosaic Clubhouse, an award-winning mental health charity in Lambeth, provides opportunities for people with severe and enduring mental health challenges, to regain the confidence and skills necessary to lead productive and satisfying lives.

Chief executive Chris Thomas is joined by other staff Jo Bright, Alec Bartlet, Ellie Wiseman and David Smith from its long-term corporate partner

Osborne Clarke. With only two weeks to go the staff, based at its office in Effra Road, Brixton, are getting really excited for the big day and asking people to donate at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mosaic-clubhouse-london-marathon-2020

Mr Thomas said: “Given the chance, any runner will talk about the positive impact of the sport on your mental health.

“Running offers time away from the stresses and anxieties of daily life.

It is time for yourself, time to think through and make sense of everything that’s going on. I see it not only as a way improve my physical health, but a time of peace and freedom.

“I seriously got into running back in 2014. My mental health was suffering through pressures at work and I’m convinced that lacing up my running shoes and getting out on the road stopped things getting far worse.

“Moving on to 2020, and the Covid pandemic became another time of huge stress, with constant worries about the welfare of Mosaic members and the morale of staff in incredibly difficult times. Once again running came to my rescue.

“Running the London Marathon is the ultimate privilege for me.

Every day as chief executive, I am inspired by our incredible members and the ways they support each other to recover from mental ill health. They have been my focus during the months of hard training.

“At Mosaic we work together and achieve great things. It will be such an honour to wear the Mosaic Clubhouse vest on October 3 and represent this amazing charity at the London Marathon.”

From left, Alec Bartlet., Ellie Wiseman, Jo Bright, Chris Thomas and David Smith.