A Stretford running club is set to hold its next Couch to 5k course in the new year. 

Hard Yards Running Club was initially set up by two NHS mental health nurses in a bid to try and combat some of the struggles those with mental illnesses face, including loneliness.

The running group has been going from strength to strength since its inception and will hold the next Couch to 5k course from January. 

Will Reekie and Harriett Burgess, who are club president and chair, were given some funding through their employer, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, to trial the running programme which proved to be a hit.

The Couch to 5k course is run by Pat and her wife Sandra Moore.

Pat said: “There is wide ranging academic evidence that shows physical activity has significant positive impacts on mental health and those of us who attended the first few Couch to 5K programmes certainly felt these benefits. However, the NHS funding came to an end. By this time a number of us were reaping the benefits of the group and did not want it to end. And from here, Hard Yards Running Club was established.”

The group had only seven members when it began in 2017. Since then, there have been around 70 individuals complete the Couch to 5k course.

Pat added: “Not everyone has kept running, but we have a hardcore membership of around 40, with other people coming back to the group when they feel they need it.”

They meet every Tuesday night for a run and a coffee, chat and slice of homemade cake, baked by different members each week. On Saturdays they also encourage their members to complete a parkrun and meet for a coffee afterwards.

Pat said: “We are different from other groups, as we only recruit people with mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression. We guide people to other local clubs if they are just looking to get fit or want to join a local running club. We don't offer group therapy, although our runners can feel comfortable opening up to their members, in the knowledge they also have problems.”

The next Couch to 5k course is set to begin on Tuesday 16 January, from 7pm to 9pm, meeting at Stretford Public Hall. 

It is free and open to all, no matter how much or little running experience you have, just bring a pair of running shoes and download the BBC couch to 5k app.

For more information, or to join, visit the Hard Yards website - http://hardyards.co.uk