In an effort to help people make friends and improve mental health and wellbeing, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service will be delivering a walking event.

Blackburn Prince’s Trust Team are working in conjunction with Lancashire Mind with to improve people’s wellbeing through exercise and social interactions.

The aptly named ‘Walkie Talkie’ event, which is being held on November 18 at Witton Park, will provide the opportunity for people to make new connections with people in the local community.

Saleemah Batan, 21, is one of the people enrolled on the 12-week course with the Prince’s Trust, and has been working to organise the event.

She said: “We are hoping that we will have a good outcome in terms of numbers and get people talking about mental health in general.

“The idea is to ask them how they are, see what support they may have in place and have a relaxed conversation with them about how their mental health wellbeing is.”

The event will be led by re:fresh walk leaders who will be helping on the day and providing a risk assessment to ensure everyone is safe on the walk.

Saleemah shared that there are five ways to wellbeing which are “connect with other people, be active, learn new skills, give to others and take notice.”

She added: “The walk will be contributing to three of these which is being active, connecting with others and taking notice.

“Trying to get people out into the countryside and into their local area to take notice of something is very beneficial.”

Shauna Paton, team leader at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Prince’s Trust, said: “Hopefully by inviting a wide range of people, we'll be able to help people make new connections within Blackburn with Darwen by tackling social isolation and removing those boundaries.

“Also getting people out and doing something physical increases their serotonin or dopamine chemicals in the brain.

“So those people will be feeling calmer, and able to sleep better that evening because they've gone out and done something.

“And if we're teaching people to take notice of the things around them, that's a really good mindfulness skill.

“If you’re ever in panic mode, or fight or flight mode, just stopping where you are and taking notice of five things is a really easy mindfulness way to bring yourself back and ground yourself in the present moment.

“So those sorts of things are things that people can then take away and do in their own lives if they find themselves feeling down or having negative feelings.”

The Walkie Talkie event will be held at Witton Park at 1pm on Friday, November 18. The starting point is on Tower Road Car Park and is welcome to anyone over the age of 18.

The Walkie Talkie event has been organised and run by the 16 to 25-year-olds on the full time 12-week programme which is delivered on behalf of the Prince’s Trust.

It is available for young people aged 16-25 year and is aimed at improving their confidence, motivation and skills.