Moving Together for Mental Health, Community and Hope
RISE EVERY DAY. MOVE YOUR WAY.
As RED January** starts tomorrow**, we are proud to stand alongside RED January as partners committed to improving mental health and wellbeing through simple, inclusive, and powerful action: movement.
At the World Health Innovation Summit (WHIS) and the Global Social Prescribing Alliance (GSPA), we believe that health is created not only in hospitals or clinics, but in communities, relationships, and daily habits. RED January perfectly embodies this philosophy — empowering people to move every day in January to “beat the blues away”.
Why RED January Matters
Founded by Hannah Beecham MBE, RED January was inspired by Hannah’s personal experience of witnessing the transformative impact that regular physical activity had on her mother’s mental health — particularly during the winter months, when motivation can be hardest to find.
Since launching in 2016, RED January has:
- Inspired over 200,000 people to move daily for their mental health
- Raised more than £3 million for mental health charities
- Demonstrated measurable impact, with over 50% of participants reporting reduced stress and fewer depressive symptoms during RED January 2021 This is social good in action — accessible, evidence-informed, and rooted in lived experience.
A Personal Commitment to RED
I have personally supported RED January for many years, working with community groups across Cumbria to encourage movement, connection, and open conversations around mental health. What makes RED so powerful is its simplicity: move in a way that works for you. No pressure, no perfection — just participation.
This approach aligns closely with the principles of social prescribing, where physical activity, nature, creativity, and community play a vital role in prevention, recovery, and long-term wellbeing.
RED January on the Global Stage
At the Radical Health Festival in Helsinki, we spoke about RED January and its impact as a leading example of how grassroots movements can drive population-level mental wellbeing. RED January shows what is possible when prevention is prioritised and communities are empowered.
As we look ahead to World Health Innovation Day on 1 August 2026, WHIS and GSPA will continue to champion initiatives like RED January that:
- Reduce pressure on health services
- Empower individuals and communities
- Deliver measurable mental health outcomes
- Align with global prevention and wellbeing agendas
Getting Involved This January
As RED January begins tomorrow, we encourage our global community — policymakers, clinicians, innovators, investors, employers, and citizens — to take part.
Whether it’s walking, cycling, swimming, dancing, or simply moving a little more each day, RED January reminds us that small, consistent actions can create profound change — especially for mental health during the winter months.
We extend our thanks to Hannah Beecham MBE for her leadership, vision, and continued advocacy for mental health through movement — and to everyone taking part this January.
Let’s move together. Let’s support mental health. Let’s make prevention visible.
#REDJanuary #WHIS #GSPA #SocialPrescribing #MentalHealth #Prevention #CommunityWellbeing