A range of free activities and gym sessions will be available as part of a Watford ‘Wellness Week’ campaign.

Watford Business Improvement (BID) is hoping to boost mental wellbeing in the community during its Wellness Week from September 20 to 26.

Part of its efforts include a collaboration with local gyms in the town centre - including Watford Central Leisure Centre, Fitness4Less and NRG - which are offering free access to their gyms and a selection of their group exercise classes for everyone that signs up to the Wellness Week Gym Jump in programme.

Those that sign up can also enjoy free swim sessions, 1-2-1 advice, a Boditrax scan and will be entered into a prize draw to win health & fitness goodies.

An outdoor group exercise event will also take place at The Parade by the pond on Saturday, September 25.

During the event from 9am to 1pm, personal trainers from local centres will provide free exercise classes for people of all levels of fitness.

These outdoor classes do not require any sign up prior to the event, and will offer popular exercises such as Zumba, spinning and more.

Businesses in the town centre are being encouraged to take part in the steps challenge that week, where businesses work as a team to see which organisation can accumulate the most steps.

Maria Manion, Chief Executive of Watford BID, said: “Wellness Week demonstrates a great way that businesses in Watford town centre can collaborate to support one another whilst also offering a great range of ways for local residents and employees to look after their physical & mental wellbeing.

“It’s the first campaign that the BID has run dedicated to physical and mental health, we’ve created a campaign where everyone can be involved and we encourage everyone to get their friends, family and colleagues involved.”

A website for Wellness Week also offers advice to find out the top ten ways to “get moving” in Watford town centre and a resource library to raise awareness of important local and national charities.

For full details of all the activities and offers happening throughout the town during Wellness Week later this month, read more about it at: www.watfordbid.co.uk/wellnessweek