Mind Havering Launches Thorpey’s Bat and Chat in 2026

Key Points

• Mind Havering Barking and Dagenham, in partnership with Hornchurch Cricket Club, has launched ‘Thorpey’s Bat and Chat’, a programme using cricket activities to support mental health and wellbeing.
• The initiative is part of a national programme inspired by the legacy of former England and Surrey cricketer Graham Thorpe, MBE, who died by suicide in 2024.
• Funded by over £170,000 raised at “A Day for Thorpey” event at The Kia Oval on 1 August 2025 during England v India Test match, through headband sales and donations.
• Supported by national charity Mind, Surrey County Cricket Club, and the Thorpe family; delivered by local Minds including those in Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Bath, Birmingham, Burton and District, Havant and East Hants, Harrogate, Surrey, North Lincolnshire, and South East London.
• Sessions are open to adults aged 18+, require no prior cricket experience, and provide a relaxed environment for activity, connection, and open conversations about mental health.
• Builds on the original Bat and Chat model developed by Burton & District Mind, featuring gentle cricket games, social connections, guided discussions, and wellbeing tools.
• Gary Anderson, Trustee at Mind Havering Barking and Dagenham, highlighted the programme’s role in creating supportive spaces for activity and mental health talks.

Havering, Barking and Dagenham, Mind Havering Barking and Dagenham launches ‘Thorpey’s Bat and Chat’ to support people’s mental health through cricket (East London Times) April 10, 2026

A mental health charity serving Havering and Barking and Dagenham has introduced ‘Thorpey’s Bat and Chat’, a community programme designed to leverage cricket for improving mental health and wellbeing. Delivered jointly by Mind Havering Barking and Dagenham and Hornchurch Cricket Club, the sessions invite local residents to participate in cricket-based activities within a supportive setting that encourages open discussions on mental health.

What is Thorpey’s Bat and Chat and How Does It Work?

The programme offers participants a chance to engage in gentle cricket activities and games without needing any prior experience. It creates safe spaces for people to get active, connect with others, and talk openly about their feelings, targeting adults aged 18 and over.

Thorpey’s Bat and Chat forms part of a broader national initiative backed by mental health charity Mind, Surrey County Cricket Club, and the family of Graham Thorpe. The sessions include opportunities to meet new people, build connections, and access guided discussions with practical tools for wellbeing.

As detailed in coverage from The Kia Oval’s official site, the programme emphasises inclusivity, welcoming anyone struggling with mental health or seeking to enhance their wellbeing .

Why Was Thorpey’s Bat and Chat Launched in Havering and Barking and Dagenham?

Mind Havering Barking and Dagenham partnered with Hornchurch Cricket Club to bring the programme to the local community, recognising the benefits of physical activity and social interaction for mental health. Gary Anderson, Trustee at Mind Havering Barking and Dagenham, said:

“We know that staying active and connecting with others can have a positive impact on our mental health, but it’s not always easy to take that first step. Opening up about your feelings can feel daunting. Thorpey’s Bat and Chat is about creating a friendly and supportive space where people can enjoy being active while talking openly about their mental health if they want to. We’re proud to be part of this national programme and to be continuing Graham Thorpe’s legacy by supporting people in our community.”.

The launch aligns with the listing of both Barking and Dagenham Mind and Havering Mind among the 10 local Minds delivering the programme nationwide, as announced by Mind and The Kia Oval.

Local coverage on The Havering Daily noted the charity’s focus on using cricket to help people improve their mental health.

What Inspired Thorpey’s Bat and Chat?

The initiative draws inspiration from Graham Thorpe, MBE, the former England and Surrey cricketer who took his own life on 4 August 2024, aged 55, after years of struggling with anxiety and depression. It builds directly on the original Bat and Chat model pioneered by Burton & District Mind, expanding it nationally under the ‘Thorpey’s’ branding.

Funding stems from “A Day for Thorpey”, held at The Kia Oval on 1 August 2025 – what would have been Thorpe’s 56th birthday – during the England v India Test match. The event raised over £170,000 through headband sales, donations via JustGiving and text appeals (text THORPEY5, THORPEY10 or THORPEY20 to 70255), supporting 10 programmes this year.

Mind’s announcement on 27 March 2026 confirmed the national rollout, with Hayley Jarvis, Head of Physical Activity at Mind, stating:

“Last year’s A Day for Thorpey was an amazing, powerful event which showed the value of bringing people together through sport to talk about mental health. Thorpey’s Bat and Chat continues that legacy. The programme honours Graham Thorpe and the courage of his family in sharing his story. We’re absolutely delighted to be a part of it, and thanks to the incredible support shown through A Day for Thorpey, local Minds across the country can deliver these sessions in partnership with the cricket family and help more people find support in their communities.”.

Who Supports the National Thorpey’s Bat and Chat Programme?

Surrey County Cricket Club Chair Oli Slipper remarked:

“It was an honour to host the Day for Thorpey at the India Test Match at The Kia Oval last summer and a fitting way to remember one of the greatest Surrey and England cricketers. We’re incredibly grateful to all the supporters who have raised a phenomenal amount of money for Mind to ensure that Thorpey’s Bat and Chat can be rolled out around the country to support people’s mental health through cricket. Thorpey’s legacy on the pitch is well documented, and we hope that the awareness and funds raised by his family will ensure that his legacy off the pitch matches it.” .

Graham Thorpe’s wife, Amanda Thorpe, commented:

“We want to celebrate Graham and his memory, as well as remove some of the stigma around mental health, especially for men. Thorpey’s Bat and Chat will help to do just this. I had the chance to visit a Bat and Chat session last summer, and one of the participants told me it was the reason they got out of bed in the morning. That is very powerful, and it shows these sessions can give people the space to talk about their mental health, through an activity they love, and with a supportive group. We are so pleased to see the roll-out of Thorpey’s Bat and Chat sessions around the country and would really encourage you to give it a go if you’re struggling with your mental health.”.

One session at The Kia Oval will be coached by Graham’s son, Henry Thorpe, a freelance cricket coach with the Surrey CCC Academy .

How Does the Programme Differ from Standard Mental Health Support?

Unlike traditional therapy, Thorpey’s Bat and Chat integrates physical cricket activities with informal chats, fostering confidence through sport. It mirrors the 12-week Bat and Chat structure from Burton & District Mind, combining sessions with psychoeducation.

No cricket skills are required, making it accessible; the focus remains on low-pressure games and peer support.

Background of the Development

Graham Thorpe played 100 Tests for England, retiring in 2005 after a distinguished career with Surrey. His struggles with mental health became public after his death in 2024, prompting tributes and the “A Day for Thorpey” event organised by Mind and Surrey CCC. The original Bat and Chat by Burton & District Mind demonstrated success in using cricket for wellbeing, leading to this funded expansion. Local delivery in Havering and Barking and Dagenham via Mind Havering Barking and Dagenham and Hornchurch Cricket Club adapts the model to East London communities.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Local Residents in Havering and Barking and Dagenham

The programme provides local residents aged 18+ with accessible, no-experience-needed sessions at Hornchurch Cricket Club, potentially increasing participation in physical activity linked to mental health improvements. It offers a community-based alternative for those hesitant about clinical services, enabling connections and open talks in a familiar sport setting. Availability through Mind Havering Barking and Dagenham could expand reach to underserved groups, with national funding ensuring sustainability for ongoing sessions.