You need to know what kind of event or activity you'd like to do before you can plan it. We've got some ideas to inspire you or come up with a creative idea of your own!

Look at the Mental Health calendar to find out what is going on throughout the year - this may help you decide when to hold your activity.

Create a table with the weeks until your event across the top and the tasks down the side. Give yourself much more time than you think you'll need, as things often can take longer than we think. Work out what needs to be done first and think about all the steps needed for each task. As you complete tasks, you might like to cross them off in some way, so you can keep track of where you're up to and keep yourself motivated! 

If you feel like you'd like to do a Time to Change activity, it can really help to work with someone else. You can share your resources and ideas, support and look out for each other, and make things easier by sharing responsibility. Extra help on the day can also really help so you're not doing everything on your own.

Think about whether there is anyone else in your life who might also want to campaign against mental health stigma. 

Link up with other Champions by advertising your activity on the event map on the website

Contact champions@time-to-change.org.uk to advertise your activitiy in the Champions newsletter. Please do this at least 2 months in advance. 

If you'd like to find other people to work with first, take a look at the event map on the website to see if a campaign group is meeting or contact your local Community Equalities Coordinator, who may be able to put you in touch with other Champions in your area.

You can source some of the things you need for your activity without spending too much or any money at all. 

Have a think about what you need for your activity, like a venue, and perhaps some equipment or refreshments. Next have a think about the people you know and the services or companies in your community. You may know someone who works in an office and would be able to print posters to advertise your activity. You may also know someone who is a wonderful baker and would love to make some treats for your fundraising bake sale.

If your activity needs items like pens, paper, tea or coffee, you can try approaching local businesses to see if this is something they can provide for free. Many businesses, even large supermarket chains, will sometimes happily provide some supplies for small local events or activities, especially if you explain it is for a good cause. Identify exactly what you need, have a think about where you can find it, and don’t be afraid to ask for it.

You might find it helpful to fill in this table with everything you need for your event. 

Fundraising for your event, activity or group doesn’t need to be hard: think small and work with what you already have. Just remember to let everyone know that you are raising money so that you can hold an anti-stigma activity, not fundraising directly for Time to Change. Here are some ideas: 

• A bake sale or food sale - make food yourself or ask others to bring along some treats as well. Ask for a small donation for each item (this is less complicated legally than charging a set amount) and put up labels to let people know how much you suggest

• Clothes swapping - ask people to bring along clean, unwanted clothes or household items and make a small donation to take part

• A sponsored event - run a marathon, hold a sponsored silence for a day, walk to work instead of getting the bus, or give up chocolate or coffee for a week, or even a month!