Sidekick initiative

19/06/2026

I’ll try and start posting as I think I’ve missed on here a lot of the posts but so far I’m 5/18 tired my feet are sore and just about to go out again to do the 6th

18/06/2026

Thankful Thursday

Today I’m thankful for the people around me.

The people who check in.
The people who turn up.
The people who share posts.
The people who walk, run, talk, listen and support.

I’m thankful for my family, my gym family at Anytime Fitness, my friends at The Community Kettle CIC, everyone involved with Sidekick Initiative, and every person who has trusted me enough to share their story.

A few years ago my life looked very different. Today I’m preparing to take on 72 miles in 72 hours, speaking in schools, working in the community, and doing something that genuinely matters. None of that happens alone.

I’m also thankful for the difficult times because they taught me lessons I couldn’t have learned any other way.

No matter what’s going on, there’s always something to be grateful for, even if it’s just getting up this morning and having another chance to move forward.

What’s one thing you’re thankful for today?

💚 Sidekick Initiative
Real Support. Real Conversations.

17/06/2026

This Friday, while I’m in the middle of the 72 Miles for Mental Health challenge, the legends at Community Kettle CIC are opening their doors and putting on a breakfast morning to support everyone coming along.

From 8am until 12pm, there’ll be bacon rolls, hot drinks, good conversation and a chance to catch up with some amazing people who genuinely care about the community.

The Kettle has supported Sidekick Initiative in so many ways over the years. They’ve given us space, guidance, opportunities, and always made people feel welcome. A lot of what we do today wouldn’t have happened without the support they’ve shown us.

So if you’re joining one of the runs, supporting from the sidelines, or just fancy popping in for a breakfast and a chat, we’d love to see you.

📍 Community Kettle CIC, Cosham
🕗 Breakfast Morning: 8am - 12pm Friday
🏃 72 Miles for Mental Health Challenge underway

Real support. Real conversations.

A massive thank you to everyone at Community Kettle CIC for getting behind this challenge and everything they do for our community every single day. 💚🖤

17/06/2026

72 HOURS. 18 RUNS. 72 MILES.

The countdown is on. I’ll sort out in a bit I know I’m starting from anytime fitness in Cosham and finishing there!

Just under 3 marathons 😳💩💩💩💩💩🙈

Starting 8am Thursday 18th June and finishing 9am Sunday 21st June (Father’s Day), I’ll be running 4 miles every 4 hours for 72 hours straight.

This isn’t about medals, records, sponsorships or money.

It’s about mental health.

It’s about showing up when things get hard.

It’s about remembering the people we’ve lost, supporting the people still fighting, and proving that no one has to struggle alone.

A lot of people have asked if I’m doing this solo.

The answer is: I’d love some support.

You don’t have to run all 72 miles.

You don’t even have to run at all.

You could:
🏃 Join me for part of a run
☕ Meet me at a checkpoint for a coffee and a chat
📹 Help with photos or videos
🎙️ Share your story on a live stream
👏 Cheer from the sidelines
❤️ Simply follow along and help spread the message

Every conversation matters.

Every bit of support matters.

If you’d like to get involved, drop me a message.

Let’s make some noise for mental health.

72 Miles. 18 Runs. 72 Hours.

Real Support. Real Conversations.

15/06/2026

💚 This week I’ll be taking on the 72 Miles in 72 Hours Challenge.

📅 Thursday 18th June 8am - Sunday 21st June 9am (Father’s Day)

🏃‍♂️ 18 runs
🏃‍♂️ 4 miles every 4 hours
🏃‍♂️ 72 miles in total
💚 Raising awareness for mental health and su***de prevention

Each run is being dedicated to a life lost, a family affected, or someone currently struggling.

No fundraising. No sponsorship. Just a challenge to start conversations, raise awareness, and remind people that support is available.

If you see me out and about over the weekend, come and say hello, join a few miles, or simply help spread the message.

💚🏃‍♂️

12/06/2026

SOFA TO SUMMIT – FREE TRAINING SESSION 🏔️💚

This is completely free.

If you’re thinking about joining us for the mountains in the next few weeks, or even this weekend, come along and train with us. It’ll give me a chance to see where everyone’s fitness levels are at so I can put people into the right groups.

The aim is simple: make sure everyone is around a similar pace and ability level so we can enjoy it together, support each other, and make sure nobody gets left behind.

The plan with Sidekick Initiative is to run several Sofa to Summit events over the coming months:
🏔️ This weekend
🏔️ End of this month
🏔️ Next month
🏔️ September

By grouping people correctly from the start, we can make these challenges enjoyable, build confidence, and help people progress at their own pace without feeling pressured or discouraged.

Whether you’re already active or you’re starting from the sofa, you’re welcome.

Real support. Real conversations.
Sidekick Initiative 💚

10/06/2026

🚶 Structured Saturday & Support System Sunday ☕

The walks are back.

One thing I’ve learned over the last few months is that some of the best conversations happen when you’re walking side by side, not sitting face to face.

We’re looking at restarting our regular community walks on both Structured Saturday and Support System Sunday.

The plan is simple. Meet at Cosham Train Station, walk towards Hilsea, grab a coffee, have a chat, and head back. No pressure, no agenda, no judgement. Just people getting out, moving, talking, and supporting each other.

Before we set anything in stone, we’d love your input.

❓Would you come along?

☕ What time would suit you best?
• Early morning (7am–9am)
• Mid-morning (9am–11am)
• Afternoon
• Evening

📅 What works better for you?
• Saturday
• Sunday
• Both
• Weekday evenings

🌊 Should we keep the walks around the Cosham/Hilsea area, or would you like to see walks in Southsea too?

There are already some great organisations running walks in Southsea, so we’re trying to work out where we’re most needed and where people would get the most benefit.

The aim is simple: create a space where people can connect, get some fresh air, have a conversation, and know they don’t have to do life alone.

Drop a comment below with your thoughts. We’re building this around the community, not around us.

Real support. Real conversations.

💚🚶☕

09/06/2026

Sidekick Initiative 💚

We’re a community-led, non-profit mental health and recovery support project based on lived experience.

We provide free support, mentoring, wellbeing walks, community events, fitness challenges, school talks, and real conversations for people who may be struggling, feeling isolated, or simply need someone to talk to.

No judgement. No waiting lists. Just people helping people.

Our mission is simple: create connection, build belief, and remind people they don’t have to face life’s challenges alone.

Real Support. Real Conversations.

📍 Portsmouth and beyond
🌐 www.sidekickinitiative.org

💚

Lived-experience mental health and recovery support in Portsmouth, Havant, Cosham and Hampshire. Mentoring, workshops, talks and community support for individuals, schools, prisons and organisations.

09/06/2026

I’m back so back to normal.
Talk to me Tuesday taking calls and will be in the Community Kettle CIC from 10-2 so if you want to talk feel free to pop in to talk or pop me a message