ABOUT US
We aim to have a Mental Health First Aider in every gym and fitness community in the UK.
THE WOODPECKER PROJECT is a Mental Health awareness charity that encourages people to take part in fitness challenges. Start conversations and show people where to get support when they need it the most.
With the donations from our amazing fundraisers, we issue grants to applicants wishing to be trained in Mental Health First Aid.
We’re proud to organise challenges like 100 BURPEES A DAY IN NOVEMBER and film campaigns like DO WHAT IT TAKES. With each challenge or campaign, we aim to start a conversation around mental health to see if we can help just one person.
Knowing where to turn can be difficult so we’re trying to find unique ways to signpost for support. IT’S OK TO ASK FOR HELP.
MEET THE TRUSTEES
CHARLES “WOODY” MEARS
“Many of us rely on exercise as an escape from mental health. I’ve done this for so long and I’ve been fortunate enough to be surrounded by amazing and supportive communities in different gyms across the country. As a charity, we are trying to train as many people as we can around the UK in Mental Health First Aid. We use fitness challenges to kickstart conversations and to let people know that we are there for them when they need us. The more of us out there, the more chance we have to help and remind those who need it, to KEEP CHIPPIN’.”
Founder
Burpee’d up Ben Nevis
AMY WILSON HARDY
“Charlie, AKA Woody, has created something incredibly special in THE WOODPECKER PROJECT. He has managed to harness the power of exercise, something everyone can take part in, to bring people closer together, share experiences and express vulnerability. I am immensely proud to be a part of this charity and I know the surface has only just been scratched. This platform really does have the potential to help so many people, with Charlie leading the way through his unique, selfless and often mind-blowing projects. Just keep chippin’.”
Olympian
Commonwealth Games medalist
GB and England 7s star
@amywilsonhardy
MAJOR OLIVER BULLEN
“From the moment that Charles told me of his plans to start a mental health charity, I knew it was something I had to be a part of. Not only is he a lifelong friend, but it’s a cause that I believe in wholeheartedly. I have always struggled to ask for help and have deliberately held back from communicating when I am having issues. The one place I am comfortable asking for help is in the gym. Being supported physically by a trained person is reassuring and helps you to develop in the best way. Working out at the very limits of fatigue can leave you feeling exposed and vulnerable, knowing that the person working out with you or near you is able to support your mental well-being can be a huge relief and will encourage more people to discuss their mental health. Talking to people helped me recognise the poor behaviours that were limiting my potential and affecting my relationships. I want to enable more people to overcome these issues and feel more comfortable in everything they do. This charity is one of a kind and can offer all of this support to those who need it.”
