STARTING-UP

TRiM project was founded by Mike Buckle and awarded start-up funding from the School of Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) in October 2017 to develop a mindfulness-based physical activity intervention for young people studying at university. The idea was to introduce students who were inactive or struggling with their mental health to a mindful approach to exercise as a tool for supporting their wellbeing and mental fitness for study.

After piloting TRiM sessions to young people accessing mental health services in Birmingham and successfully graduating from the SSE programme in October 2018, TRiM looked to secure further funding to develop and deliver its services.

2018-21

TRiM was awarded further funding from British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) in 2018-19 and the Warwick Innovation Fund for 2019-21 to develop and deliver group-based ‘active wellbeing’ sessions for students accessing wellbeing services at the University of Warwick.

 Sessions started indoors with grounding techniques, warm up stretches and breath work exercises, and students learnt how to apply ‘on the go’ mindfulness techniques during exercise to help them stay connected with their movement. Sessions ended with cool down stretches and body scans indoors to encourage relaxation and recovery.

During 2020-21, TRiM adapted many of the themes and techniques used in group-based sessions to expand and deliver weekly online mindful movement sessions for staff at the University for supporting their health and wellbeing.

FEEDBACK

Feedback was positive and students reported being able to learn about exercise and mindfulness in an accessible and inclusive way, while bringing those skills into everyday life as tools for managing their mental health, enhancing their wellbeing, and supporting their academic performance.

PLANS

Since funding stopped in 2021, TRiM has been keen to continue to develop and share the themes, techniques and skills explored in group sessions as online resources and self-help tools. With the help of Small Batch, TRiM went online in Autumn 2022 and is currently in the process of developing its platform, resources, and services.

The long-term aim of the project is to develop downloadable resources and a TRiM App that provides accessible and life-long tools for supporting healthier and more resilient student minds. Equipping young people with coping skills that increase resilience, build confidence, and enhance wellbeing.

GET INVOLVED

If you are interested in supporting TRiM’s development and mission or have any questions about the work of the project, we would love to hear from you. Please use the contact form for getting in-touch.

“It’s time away from distractions and the rhymical stepping motion usually loosens my grip on thoughts and gets me out of my head. It’s a great way of decluttering my mind and being more present. Over time, I’ve learnt how to transform my running into a mindful practice.”

My name is Mike. I’m a runner, mental health practitioner and creator of TRiM project.

I’ve been running regularly since 2008 and have completed numerous marathons and half marathons at home and abroad. I enjoy parkruns, road races, trails, and running with others in a social context as well as a racing one.

Beyond the significant health and fitness benefits, I’ve always enjoyed the meditative aspects of running. It’s time away from distractions and the rhymical stepping motion usually loosens my grip on thoughts and gets me out of my head. It’s a great way of decluttering my mind and being more present. Over time, I’ve learnt how to transform my running into a mindful practice.

Alongside my professional work as an accredited mental health practitioner, I am a qualified UKA Run Group Leader (2018). I have also completed an intermediate 8-week ‘Mindfulness for Life’ course (2021) and an advanced 12 week ‘Taking it Further’ course (2022) through the Oxford Mindfulness Foundation to contextualise and support my own practice.

I’ve always been passionate about the therapeutic benefits of movement, exercise and mindfulness-based interventions, and inclusive approaches to engaging young people that increase resilience, build confidence and enhance wellbeing.