When CPSL Mind rolled out a celebratory event on Friday, 10 October 2025, the timing felt inevitable – it landed on World Mental Health Day and marked six years of its flagship Good Life Service. The gathering, staged in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, was more than a party; it was a reminder that community‑based mental‑wellbeing work can stick around and still feel fresh.
Why the Good Life Service matters
Born in 2019, the Good Life Service was a joint venture funded by Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council. Its aim? To give adults over 18 a menu of low‑threshold options – from cosy “Good Mood Cafés” to breath‑work calm‑space sessions – that build resilience without a prescription.
According to its own data, the service has helped roughly 3,200 residents across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire find a safer foothold in everyday life. That figure includes participants in the peer‑support groups, users of the one‑to‑one counselling line, and recipients of micro‑grants from the Good Life Fund Project.
Highlights from the anniversary event
The centerpiece of the evening was a short video produced by Harry Hubbard. The clip wove together testimonials, a walk‑through of a Calm Space, and a heartfelt reflection from Ruth Fox, the Good Life Service Facilitator. "Every time someone tells me they've used the Wellbeing Wheel to find the right support, I feel the work is paying off," Fox said, her voice trembling with genuine pride.
The audience, a blend of service users, volunteers, council reps and local business partners, cheered when the video rolled to a montage of the Good Mood Café’s newest location – a refurbished community hall in March.
Partners and funding pillars
- Cambridgeshire County Council – ongoing core funding since 2019.
- Peterborough City Council – matching grant that enabled the expansion of peer‑support groups in 2022.
- Local charities and small businesses – donate time, space, and occasional cash gifts.
These relationships matter because they illustrate a model of cross‑sector collaboration that other regions could copy.
Running for mental‑health: the Great Eastern Run
Two weeks after the celebration, Charlotte Clarke and Max Nixon will lace up for the Great Eastern Run on Sunday, 12 October 2025. The pair, who completed the Cambridge Half Marathon earlier this year, hope to raise at least £5,000 for CPSL Mind.
Clarke, a former participant in the Good Mood Café, explained why the run feels personal: "Running helped me rebuild confidence after a depressive episode. Giving back feels like the natural next step."
Tools and resources that keep the service ticking
The Wellbeing Wheel – a colour‑coded chart that matches symptoms to local services – sits on the organisation’s website and in printed form at all cafés. It’s been downloaded over 1,800 times since its launch, according to a June 2025 analytics report.
Meanwhile, the Good Life Fund has awarded micro‑grants ranging from £250 to £1,200 to community groups proposing projects like a “Quiet Garden” in Peterborough and a “Story‑Sharing Circle” in March.
What’s next for CPSL Mind?
Looking ahead, the charity plans to pilot a digital “Mood‑Check‑In” app in early 2026, designed to feed anonymous data back into the Wellbeing Wheel for real‑time service adjustments. The council partners have pledged a tentative £120,000 increase in the 2026‑27 budget, contingent on successful app rollout.
Beyond technology, CPSL Mind will continue its bi‑monthly newsletter, which now reaches over 4,500 subscribers, and will host a series of “Community Resilience” workshops in early 2026.
Key facts
- Anniversary date: 10 Oct 2025 – coincides with World Mental Health Day.
- Service launched: 2019, funded by Cambridgeshire County Council & Peterborough City Council.
- Supported adults: 3,200+ across three counties.
- Upcoming fundraiser: Great Eastern Run, 12 Oct 2025.
- Future tech: digital Mood‑Check‑In app slated for 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Good Life Service differ from traditional mental‑health care?
It focuses on low‑threshold, community‑based activities – cafés, calm‑space sessions and peer groups – rather than clinical appointments. The aim is to catch people early, before they need more intensive treatment.
Who can access the Good Mood Cafés?
Anyone aged 18 or over living in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough or South Lincolnshire can drop in free of charge. No referral is needed, and the spaces are open weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm.
What is the Good Life Fund Project?
It provides small grants – typically between £250 and £1,200 – to community groups that propose projects promoting wellbeing, such as quiet gardens, art workshops, or outdoor yoga sessions.
How can volunteers get involved?
Volunteers can sign up via the CPSL Mind website, help run cafés, facilitate calm‑space sessions, or assist with the grant‑making panel. Training is provided free of charge.
What impact does the upcoming Great Eastern Run aim to achieve?
Beyond the projected £5,000 fundraising target, the run is a visibility exercise – it puts mental‑health conversation in the public eye and encourages other runners to support the cause.