Lynn News' charity of the year 8:56 Foundation teams up with Mundford Cricket Club and gets ready for It's Time to Talk day

8:56 Foundation, the West Norfolk men’s mental health and wellbeing support organisation, is gearing up for It's Time to Talk Day, a national initiative designed to create the biggest mental health conversation of the year.

So how can you get involved?

Communities can organise walks, tea events and talks, to unite residents of neighbourhoods and have fun at the same time.

Sports clubs have the power to communicate with players and their families, to dispel the common taboos associated with ignoring mental health issues.

Employers can make Time to Talk Day a key fixture in their organisation’s calendars with informal activities that allow workers to take a break from hectic schedules.

Colleges and schools have the opportunity to tackle mental health issues at an early stage, looking at subjects that instigate or propel problems such as bullying, pressure and family issues.

An 8:56 Foundation representative says: "On an individual level, just lending an ear could be all that is needed to help someone in need, whether this is friends, family or colleagues.

Talking about mental health doesn't have to be awkward.

Taking time not just to talk, but to listen, can have a positive impact on someone's day, and even save a life."

As part of the charitable group's ongoing mission to spread the message to local groups, Mundford Cricket Club have agreed to display a pro-mental health support banner during matches.

The sporting group were thanked for their part in the collaboration by 8:56 Foundation's Richard Watson at Thetford Sports Centre last week. Any other interested sporting organisations are encouraged to get in touch.

The 8:56 Foundation will be ready to talk to residents of West Norfolk at The Place, a temporary pop-up space found within King's Lynn's Vancouver Quarter on February 2.

All are welcome to drop by between 10am-3pm to say hello and find out what the Foundation is doing to support men's mental health and wellbeing locally.