Introducing new projects to improve physical health and wellbeing for people living with severe mental ill health

Posted September 21st 2026

We are pleased to introduce two projects by researchers at the Centre for Mental Health and Society, designed to improve physical health and wellbeing for people living with severe mental ill health (SMI). Read on to learn about the link between SMI and physical health, and the resources available to help.

A link between severe mental ill health and earlier death

Average statistics show that people with severe mental ill health (SMI) die earlier due to preventable physical illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. However, these inequalities can be significantly reduced through physical activity.

That’s why researchers from the Centre for Mental Health and Society at Bangor University started two projects:

1. Supporting Physical Activity through Co-Production project SPACES)- focused on improving physical health and wellbeing for people living with SMI through a physical activity intervention delivered in the NHS
2. Community SPACES (Co-SPACES) – to improve participation in community-based physical activities for people with SMI.

Increasing physical activity for people living with SMI

These linked projects work alongside over 500 people with lived experience of SMI to better understand the barriers that can make being physically active difficult, and to develop practical, inclusive approaches.

For example, SPACES has co-produced a physical activity intervention that can be delivered in the NHS and Co-SPACES has produced resources to support community based physical activity providers to include people living with SMI in their provision.

SPACES and Co-SPACES are led by Senior Research Fellow, Dr Emily Peckham.

Dr Peckham said:

“By bringing together people with lived experience, researchers and community partners, SPACES aims to create lasting opportunities for people to be more active, improve their health and wellbeing, and feel more connected to their communities.”

Through co-production, the projects have created:

• a leaflet to help community providers to understand what it is like for people with SMI to engage in physical activity in the community, provide a better experience, and for NHS professionals to link with community providers
• a series of short videos outlining perspectives from those with lived experience of SMI, community providers and NHS professionals
• a new NHS-based intervention to improve physical activity of people living with SMI. It is currently being trialled.

Professor Jon Bisson, NCMH Director, said:

“At NCMH we are fortunate to be made up of researchers from Cardiff, Bangor and Swansea Universities. Our mission is to improve people’s mental health and wellbeing, with a particular focus on people living with mental ill health.

Dr Emily Peckham’s work is a perfect example of how research can make a positive difference to people’s lives. For further information and resources, visit spacesproject.co.uk today.”

Resources

Get helpful information on a range of mental conditions by downloading our leaflets

Read more on mental health and physical activity:

• Keeping my head above water: overcoming grief through surfing
• Happy feet, happier brain: how I found myself in dancing
• The Power of the Sea