Pembrokeshire County Council leader Councillor David Simpson got on his bike this week to highlight the benefits of exercise for positive mental health.

Clr. Simpson joined staff for a tea and talk session in County Hall during Mental Health Awareness Week (May 14-18), cycling over 10km to help highlight the cause.

Joe Salerno, manager of mental health charity Mind was also in attendance.

The tea and talk session was the first of many planned activities taking place during the week by Pembrokeshire County Council to raise awareness of mental health.

Other activities include a knitting and crotchet workshop, a gentle Yoga class, aerobics and a sponsored chest wax at the Authority’s Thornton depot!

The activities were arranged by the Authority’s Time to Change Champions.

Regular exercise is proven reduce anxiety and stress, promotes a sense of calm, increases self-esteem and improves the quality of sleep

“Pembrokeshire County Council is committed to raising awareness of Mental Health,” said Cllr Simpson. “We signed the Time to Change pledge last year which aims to end mental health discrimination.

“Since then we have trained over 60 Time to Change Champions who staff can turn to and events such as this tea and talk session promotes that.

“Mental health is something nobody should ignore.”