29/09/2025: Breckland Council celebrates Narborough becoming a Mindful Village

Breckland Council is delighted to celebrate Narborough as its latest Mindful Village, recognising the community's commitment to mental health and wellbeing, inclusivity, and helping residents through a range of local activities and support.

The Mindful Towns and Villages initiative, launched by Breckland Council in 2021, empowers communities to take practical steps to improve mental health, reduce social isolation, and create welcoming, inclusive environments where everyone feels safe, supported, and connected to their local area.  

Narborough has embraced this ethos across its community groups. Volunteers and members of various organisations, including the Parish Council, community allotment, and Narborough Museum, have participated in free Mindful Towns training to equip them with skills to support wellbeing across the parish, enabling them to confidently signpost residents to mental health and wellbeing services.  

Narborough Museum is a community-run facility that showcases the village's agricultural heritage, with volunteers playing an integral role in preserving and sharing the village's identity. The museum is also a meeting place for both residents and visitors from further afield to chat and reminisce in the company of others.   

Recently, the village has welcomed the Pop-Up Pantry, a mobile food facility that helps tackle food insecurity while bringing neighbours together in a spirit of mutual support. The local allotment has contributed fresh produce to the Pantry, sharing locally grown food with neighbours and friends. The allotment welcomes residents from all walks of life, including parents, carers, children with disabilities, and those struggling with their mental health.  

Councillor Tristan Ashby, Executive Member for Health and Communities, said: "We are so pleased to see Narborough join us as a Mindful Village. Through a range of initiatives, and thanks to the work of local volunteers, residents are not only supporting one another but also tackling important issues such as food insecurity, social isolation, and mental health.  

"This is exactly what we intend to achieve with our Mindful Towns and Villages programme, and we're proud to work alongside places like Narborough to help build stronger, healthier, and more connected communities for everyone." 

To find out more and apply to become a Mindful Village, visit our webpage atthe Breckland website.