Grassroots athletics clubs across England will support members and people in their wider community with mental health problems by appointing designated volunteers.

The Mental Health Ambassador programme has been launched by governing body England Athletics and mental health charity Mind. An initial 128 ambassadors have been appointed by 91 clubs to help people start running, continue running, and look after the wellbeing of existing members.

Practical tasks the ambassadors will carry out include: creating a mental health action plan for their club; organising specific related events; and creating links with local mental health services.

“We have been really humbled hearing and reading the stories about the difficult times that many of our ambassadors have experienced personally or through family and friends but the difference running has, and continues to, make to their lives,” said Liz Purbrick, national disability manager at England Athletics.

“We hope the programme can continue to breakdown some of the stigma attached to mental health and support people to access the social, physical and mental wellbeing benefits that running can bring along with the physical and social ones too.”

Hayley Jarvis, community programmes manager (sport) and Mind, added: “Getting started when you have a mental health problem can be really difficult due to concerns around body image, self-confidence and the effects of medication. We encourage more people to take up running and access the Mental Health Ambassador programme.”

The programme is part of England Athletics’ #runandtalk campaign, which aims to improve mental health through running.