"Talking is Mental CIC" take on the Kilt Walk

Aim: Talking is Mental CIC is a Glasgow based Community Interest Company (CIC looking to combat loneliness and social isolation.

Why?

According to a 2024 study over 17% of people in the north East of Glasgow do not have a close friend, and 40% feel lonely often, or always....this is not how it needs to be....

People experiencing prolonged or intense periods of loneliness are at greater risk of poor mental health, elevated blood pressure, acute stress and early mortality. 

We want to make it easier for people to connect and remove as many barriers as possible. 

How?

We do this by connecting people through a variety of activity groups and encouraging conversations about the impact of loneliness and social isolation on  mental and physical health.

We currently run:

• A free weekly walking group 
• A low cost weekly football group
• A free weekly theatre group

In a short space of time we have welcomed so many awesome people to our groups and can't wait to continue our work this year. 

Our mission is to ensure that all our groups are accessible to all and free or as low a cost as possible. We have also been so lucky and grateful that local organisations and professionals have provided us with initial support. 

Kiltwalk 

After completing the Glasgow Mighty Stride Kilt Walk in April we have decided to sign up to the Edinburgh Mighty Stride Kilt walk on Sunday 14th September...we are hopeful our feet and legs will have recovered in time...

Talking is Mental co-founder Jack will be taking on the the Mighty Stride at the Edinburgh Kilt Walk (just a brisk 20 mile walk.....nothing too intense...) alongside some of our ambassadors  and raising money for the initiative. You can donate through this Crowd-funder to help us reach our fundraising goal, if you are interested in participating there is still time to sign up for the kilt walk (you can choose to raise money for us through signing up to the walk). 

What's next?

We are looking to raise funds to continue growing Talking is Mental, create new exciting groups and having a positive impact on a wide range of people in our community.

To keep these groups free and running we need donations and/or funding.

 Donations will be put towards:

• Travel expenses for attendees on low incomes
• Venue and pitch hire
• Promotional and marketing materials
• Volunteering (e.g. uniform, PVG applications etc) 
• Supplies (e.g. printing, stationery, equipment etc.)
• Tea and biscuits for each group

Any donations and/or funding will be put immediately back into the initiative.

Thank you for taking the time to read about Talking is Mental and we are grateful for any donations, your contribution is helping to combat loneliness in Glasgow. 

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 21st September 2025 at 2:00pm