A community centre in Cambridgeshire is preparing for a marathon broadcast to secure vital funds for local mental health services. The Citizen Hub in St Neots will transform into a live studio for 24 continuous hours on Friday, January 19, hosting a 'Liveathon' designed to raise money for a full year of wellbeing support.
Turning Blue Monday into a Force for Good
The event is a direct response to the so-called 'Blue Monday', often labelled the year's most difficult day. Instead of focusing on negativity, the Liveathon aims to celebrate how local people are supporting each other's mental health. Funds raised will entirely finance 'Wellbeing Wednesdays', a weekly programme at the Hub offering a consistent, drop-in space for connection and early support.
Weekly activities under this initiative include:
- Breakfast clubs and community meals.
- One-to-one counselling sessions.
- Mental health and confidence-building programmes.
- Support from a nutritionist.
- Various other health activities shaped by local demand.
Community Voices Take Centre Stage
The broadcast will be co-hosted by Alex Hughes, co-founder of the Citizen Hub, and Danielle Bridge, CEO of Black Minds Matter UK and founder of ABC Life Support CIC. Over the 24-hour period, they will be joined by a stream of guest speakers, creatives, and community members for live conversations and moments of connection, all streamed across social media platforms.
Alex Hughes explained the Hub's mission: "Too many people struggle not because they lack resilience, but because the systems around them are fragmented and hard to trust. Citizen Hub exists to give people a place that feels human, safe and connected. This Liveathon is about turning a single day of action into a year of practical wellbeing support for our town."
Danielle Bridge added: "Wellbeing should not be treated as a private burden. When communities invest in shared infrastructure that supports mental health, people feel seen, supported and empowered. I’m proud to be co-hosting a Liveathon that centres lived experience and community care."
Building on a Year of Local Impact
The event builds on significant momentum. In its first full year of operation, the Citizen Hub St Neots has engaged hundreds of residents and supported many into new skills, employment, and support pathways. The Liveathon seeks to solidify that progress by funding an entire year of the Wellbeing Wednesday scheme, strengthening early intervention before individuals reach crisis point.
The Hub will remain open as a live studio throughout the day and night. The public are encouraged to tune in online, share the campaign, and donate if they can. Every pound raised will stay local, directly funding weekly wellbeing support in St Neots. For more details, to donate, or to follow the broadcast, visit www.citizenhub.co.uk.
