A Celebration of Community: Plymouth’s Wellbeing Open Day
On Thursday 14th May, Devon Mental Health Alliance and Plymouth Mental Health Collective welcomed the community for the second Community Mental Health & Wellbeing Open Day. A vibrant, inclusive event that brought together local organisations, professionals, and communities under the shared aim of “building better mental health together”.
Hosted at Plymouth Methodist Central Hall, this year’s event marked a significant step forward, with over 250 attendees and 50 stalls offering a wide range of support, advice, and activities. The continued growth of the Open Day reflects both the strength of Plymouth’s mental health network and the clear need for accessible, community-led wellbeing events.
From the moment visitors arrived, the ethos of the event,“Free event – friendly space – everyone welcome”, was evident. A strapline coined by the DMHA’s Co-production group Step Together, who have been working at the heart of the planning ensuring communities were focal at every level. Step Together were intrinsic to the production and delivery of the Wellbeing Day, volunteering their time and creativity to making the day a success.
The hall transformed into a hub of conversation, discovery and connection, where people could explore services at their own pace in a relaxed, stigma-free environment.
Attendees had the opportunity to:
Speak directly with local organisations and community experts
Learn about support available across Plymouth and surrounding areas
Discover groups, services, and activities tailored to a variety of needs
Engage in meaningful conversations about mental health and wellbeing
The diversity of stalls ensured that there was something for everyone, from clinical support services to grassroots community initiatives, reflecting the richness of Plymouth’s mental health and wellbeing offer.
Feedback from both attendees and stallholders highlighted just how valuable the day was. Many participants praised the welcoming atmosphere and the opportunity to access so many services in one place.
A recurring theme in attendee feedback was the importance of face-to-face connection, something that cannot be easily replaced. Visitors expressed appreciation for being able to have informal conversations, ask questions openly, and feel genuinely listened to.
Stallholders also reflected positively, noting the benefits of:
Strong engagement with attendees throughout the event
Opportunities to network and build relationships with other organisations
Increased awareness of their services within the community
The Open Day not only supported individuals but also strengthened the wider network of organisations working together across Plymouth. It reinforced the value of coming together with a shared purpose—to make mental health support more visible, accessible, and joined-up.
The success of this year’s Open Day sets a strong foundation for the future. Feedback gathered will help shape how the event evolves, ensuring it continues to meet the needs of the community and those delivering services.
Above all, the day served as a powerful reminder that mental health and wellbeing are collective responsibilities. The Devon Mental Health Alliance and Plymouth Mental Health Collective plan to continue their Wellbeing Open Days bi-annually with the next event being planned for November 2026.
Thank You
The Devon Mental Health Alliance and Plymouth Mental Health Collective would like to thank:
All attendees who came along and engaged so openly
The 50+ organisations who gave their time and expertise
The partners, organisers and volunteers who made the event possible
Together, this event has strengthened connections, raised awareness, and taken another important step towards a more supportive and inclusive Plymouth.
