Space Mission

Many people affected by PTSD and C-PTSD live with spaces that slowly become overwhelming – not through choice or lack of care, but because energy, capacity, and safety fluctuate.

January also often comes with added pressure – to declutter, reset, transform, and start again. For many people, especially those affected by PTSD or C-PTSD, that pressure can feel overwhelming rather than helpful. 

PTSD UK’s Space Mission offers a different approach.

Running throughout January, Space Mission invites you to take 20 intentional actions to release what you no longer need and create space – physically or digitally – in a way that feels realistic, achievable, and grounded. 

This isn’t about perfection, productivity, or starting the year “right”. This is not a home makeover. It’s not a productivity challenge. It’s not about throwing everything away or proving anything to anyone.

PTSD UK’s Space Mission is about progress, not perfection.

It’s about reducing the load, building momentum gently, and feeling part of something shared.

Why ‘Space Mission’ and why can creating space support mental health?

Living with PTSD or C-PTSD often means carrying a lot – mentally, emotionally, and physically. When our surroundings feel cluttered or overwhelming, it can add to that sense of overload and make it harder to feel settled or safe.

PTSD UK’s Space Mission is here to help you clear out things that no longer serve you to have less to manage, less to carry, and space to move at your own pace. 

You might create space by clearing a drawer, shelf, or cupboard, letting go of an item you no longer need, deleting old emails, photos, or files, or sorting one small area that’s been weighing on you

Creating physical or digital space can help to:

• reduce visual and cognitive overload
• ease decision fatigue
• support a sense of safety and predictability
• offer moments of control and choice
• make everyday environments feel calmer and more manageable

For people affected by trauma, these changes can support nervous system regulation – not by fixing anything, but by reducing what the brain and body have to process at once.

Each action is a small step towards less to manage, less to carry and more room to breathe. It’s a mission you undertake alongside others, at your own pace, with purpose and intention.

Is PTSD UK’s Space Mission for me?

PTSD UK’s Space Mission is open to everyone who:

• feels overwhelmed or weighed down
• wants a structured but manageable way to create space
• values doing something purposeful
• wants to support PTSD UK by taking part or fundraising

You might be living with PTSD or C-PTSD, supporting someone who is, or simply looking for a meaningful challenge that benefits your mental wellbeing while supporting a charity.

You don’t need to be organised. You don’t need to feel motivated. You don’t need to have done anything like this before. You just need to be willing to take the first small step.

Why 20?

Around 1 in 20 people in the UK are affected by PTSD or C-PTSD.

For PTSD UK’s Space Mission, 20 is the aim. It represents both the scale of trauma’s impact and a clear, contained structure for the challenge.

Over the course of January, you’re encouraged to complete 20 actions. That might look like:

• releasing 20 individual items
• clearing 20 small spaces or areas
• taking part over 20 days, clearing some space each day
• or, if it feels right, going bolder – such as clearing 20 items each day

What does ‘space’ mean?

Space is personal. You decide what it looks like. It might be:

• a drawer, shelf, or cupboard
• a bag, box, or pile that’s been weighing on you
• a digital folder, inbox, or photo gallery
• one single item

You don’t need to clear everything. You don’t need to explain your choices. 

Your 20 actions could include:

• Everyday items: clothes or shoes you no longer wear, bags or accessories you don’t use, or worn or mismatched items
• Home & kitchen: unused mugs or containers, damaged or duplicate items, or food you won’t realistically use
• Paper & admin: old paperwork or manuals, notebooks or planners from another chapters, or documents kept out of guilt
• Digital space: old, unread emails, unused apps, old downloads or duplicate photos or‘Unfollow’ 20 social media accounts that don’t support you
• Personal items: gifts kept out of obligation, items linked to roles that no longer fit, or books or hobby supplies you’ve outgrown

Some items may feel harder than others. Choose what feels manageable. If clearing or releasing items brings up difficult emotions or memories, you’re encouraged to pause and prioritise your wellbeing.

Why take part with PTSD UK?

Of course, you could just do something like this on your own! But taking part with PTSD UK’s Space Mission adds something more:

• A clear goal and timeframe: Twenty actions. One month. A defined structure that reduces decision fatigue.
• A shared experience: You’re part of a collective effort, taking steps alongside others who understand trauma.
• Purpose beyond yourself: Space Mission is also a fundraiser. Your actions help raise awareness and support PTSD UK’s work across the UK.
• Trauma-informed by design: This programme has been created specifically with PTSD and C-PTSD in mind — balancing structure with compassion.

What should I do with the things I clear out?

What you do with the items you release during PTSD UK’s Space Mission is completely up to you. Different things will suit different items – and different people. You might choose to:

• recycle or dispose of items that are broken, worn out, or no longer usable
• donate items in good condition to a local charity shop or community organisation
• sell items that still have value via platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, Vinted, eBay or a local car boot sale

There’s no expectation to do anything in a particular way – the aim is simply to release what no longer serves you.

If you do decide to sell items, you may also choose to donate any money raised to PTSD UK as part of your Space Mission fundraising. Some people find this a motivating way to turn cleared space into tangible impact – but it’s entirely your choice.

Whether items are recycled, donated, sold, or simply let go, every action still counts as part of your Space Mission.

Signing up

• Entry is £10 and tickets can be bought via Ticket Tailor here
• When you sign up, you’ll receive a downloadable and printable PTSD UK Space Mission tracker
• The tracker is designed to help you plan, record, and tick off your 20 actions across January. Alongside space to tick off your 20 actions, the tracker also includes optional reflection prompts, giving you space to note how each step felt, what you noticed, or what you’d like to remember. You can use the tracker in whatever way works for you – one action a day, a few at a time, or spaced out across the month. It’s there to provide structure and momentum, not pressure.

Your £10 entry supports PTSD UK’s work to raise awareness of PTSD and C-PTSD, provide trusted, accessible information and campaign for trauma-informed understanding and support across the UK.

Signing up turns an idea into a commitment, gives you something tangible to work with, and connects your actions to a wider cause.

Fundraising

Fundraising is encouraged but not required. Many participants find that fundraising adds accountability and motivation, helping them stay connected to their Space Mission throughout the month.

If you choose to fundraise, you can do so using platforms such as JustGiving, Facebook Fundraisers or any platform you prefer.

Our Space Mission may look gentle – and that’s intentional – but it still represents commitment, consistency, and purpose.

Over the course of January, you’re committing to completing 20 intentional actions, showing up repeatedly, and following through over time. For many people, especially those affected by trauma, that kind of sustained effort is far from easy.

Supporters are often happy to sponsor challenge like Space Mission because:

• it recognises persistence over performance
• it supports mental health in a realistic, accessible way
• it raises awareness of PTSD and C-PTSD through everyday action
• it backs a charity with lived experience and trauma-informed values

Sponsoring Space Mission isn’t about cheering someone on for a single big moment – it’s about supporting steady, meaningful progress and the wider impact it creates.

Every contribution helps PTSD UK continue to:

• raise awareness of PTSD and C-PTSD
• provide trusted, accessible information for people and families
• campaign for trauma-informed understanding and support across the UK

Some people may also choose to donate money raised from selling items they’ve cleared as part of their Space Mission – turning released space directly into support for others.

Whether you raise a little or a lot, fundraising helps connect your 20 actions to something bigger.

A shared mission

Space Mission is something you do individually – but you won’t be doing it alone.

Throughout January, PTSD UK will share gentle email updates to keep you connected, motivated, and reminded that others are taking part alongside you.

If you’d like to share your progress publicly, you’re welcome to use the hashtag:

#PTSDUKSpaceMission

Sharing – whether it’s a small update, a photo of a cleared space, or simply a message of support – helps raise awareness of PTSD and C-PTSD and shows others that small, manageable steps really do count.

If sharing publicly doesn’t feel right, that’s okay too. Taking part quietly still matters.

Important information

• Open to adults aged 18+
• You take part at your own risk, choosing activities that feel safe for you
• You are responsible for your own wellbeing
• This programme is not a substitute for professional support
• If clearing or releasing items brings up difficult emotions or memories, you’re encouraged to pause and prioritise your wellbeing.

A final word

PTSD UK’s Space Mission combines action, reflection, and collective impact – helping you create space while supporting PTSD UK’s work across the UK.

PTSD UK’s Space Mission is about releasing what you can, reducing what you’re carrying, and making space – with purpose, structure, and support.

You can sign up to take part via Ticket Tailor. Once registered, you’ll receive everything you need to begin your Space Mission in January. 

Wherever your Space Mission takes you, each small step helps create space – for yourself, and for others affected by PTSD and C-PTSD.