Welcome

A very warm welcome to our September 2017 newsletter.

We are York Mind, your local mental health charity. 

We believe no one should have to face a mental health problem alone. If you live in York, we are here for you. Today. Now. Whether you are stressed, depressed or in crisis. We will listen, give support and advice, and fight your corner.

Picture: Team York Mind - another amazing year as a charity partner of the 'Jane Tomlinson Run for All' York 10k

I hope you enjoy this edition of our newsletter; please do get in touch with your thoughts and feedback, we would love to hear what you think......

Our website: www.yorkmind.org.uk

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Connect with us on LinkedIn: www.LinkedIn.com/company/york-mind

Reception revamp

Reception Renovations: we want your thoughts and feedback

At York Mind we work tirelessley to support all those who need our Services. Due to an increase in demand we needed to make better use of the space we have at Highcliffe House, our head office.

As part of this work we have redone the reception space. All visitors now come straight into a waiting area, where they sign in and wait to be greeted by the appropriate staff member.

If you have visited Hghcliffe House recently we would be really keen to hear what you think about the new system. Do you think that it works well? Are there any aspects that you think could be improved?

If you have any feedbak or concerns about these changes then please contact us on 01904 643 364 or office@yorkmind.org.uk

The builders get busy

Leave a gift in your Will for York Mind

Gift in Will Fundraising

Could you be an angel for York Mind and remember us in your Will?

Money raised through gifts in Wills is a very important part of our fundraising and our ability to continue to provide our much needed services for the people of York.

We know that caring for your family and friends is a priority; however after making provision for them, if you would consider leaving a gift to York Mind in your Will it would be greatly appreciated.

You can either leave a specific amount or a share of what is left over after all your wishes have been carried out.

Leaving a gift in your Will couldn't be simpler. If you haven't yet made a Will it can be done when you see your Solicitor. If you already have a Will your Solicitor can simply add an addition to it.

If you would like any further information on leaving a legacy please contact Rosanna Andrews on 01904 643 364 or email rosanna.andrews@yorkmind.org.uk

Volunteering

We are very lucky to have an amazing team of volunteers, without whom we simple could not operate.

Catherine volunteers for our York Advocacy Team:

"My name is Catherine, I wanted to volunteer to do advocacy with York Mind because I helped my daughter, who has a learning disability, to make a complaint to our local Council. We got a really good outcome and changed the Council's policies for the better of all young people who access their social care.

I love helping people and have a passion for helping the more vulnerable members of our society.

At York Mind, I have been given the opportunity to help lots of different people, which helps me gain more experience as well as letting others benefit from my own personal experiences. I currently work as a support worker but am hoping that in a few years time I may be able to train to become an advocate full-time."

Fun at the theatre

Our Young People's Arts Award Group and Peer Support Groups recently went on a trip to the York Theatre Royal to see Robin Hood: 'The Arrow of Destiny', and at the interval they tried on the silly hats!

There have been lots of other goings on in the Young People's project recently; first of all we would like to give a very big welcome to Hannah Crosby, our student placement in the Young People's team. Hannah has very kindly written a wonderful introduction to herself and her own mental health jounrney which you can read below in 'Giving something back'.

We also recently released a comic book! Our most recent 15-25 year olds Arts Award group, funded by a grant from the Illegal Monday Lending Team, created a comic called "In the Jaws of a Loan Shark". The comic warns of the dangers of Illegal Money Lenders and educates the reader on how to deal with situations involving them.

If you would like some free copies of this comic, please email rab.ferguson@yorkmind.org.uk Thanks to Andy Hurst (comic illustrator) for helping to create this work www.andyhurst.co.uk

Our Young People in action

Giving something back

Hannah, our Young People's Service Volunteer shares her story:

"You can still have a great life, even with a mental health diagnosis"

Six years ago, at the start of my mental health journey, I would have found this statement almost impossible to believe. However, as I am reflecting on my life as it is now, with a diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), I can confidently say this statement could not be more accurate.

Rewinding back to six years ago, I first experienced the signs of OCD after a long period of physical illness. I felt intense fear of developing another illness and constantly checked my symtpons online. My OCD progressed into experiencing distressing and unwanted thoughts which left me completely terrified; they made me question absolutely everything I believed in.

I left Sixth Form, isolated myself from friends and family and felt unable to move from my bed. After a long period of struggle and on a waiting list of 12 - 14 months for CBT Therapy, I decided to look for other external support.

I got in-touch with York Mind and this is when I met Vicky, the Young People's Manager. It was such a relief to finally be able to chat to someone who was completely approachable, non-judemental and who absolutely got it! With her support I managed to commit to a group activity at York Mind once a week. Attending the group and receiveing regular mentoring allowed me to realise that I was going to be okay in social situations and circumstances outside my comfort zone and not only that, but it actually made me feel better!

I gained confidence to apply for a volunteering role, working with young people, and Vicky supported me to find alternative ways that I could get back into education.

I started small, volunteering a couple of hours a week whilst still attending York Mind. Although I was still having a difficult time managing my OCD, I felt for the first time that I was going to be alright and that I could still live my life, despite my mental health issues. With increased support I embarked on an access course at college and now I am in my third year at Universtiy!

"Some people never fully 'recover' but that is absolutely okay"

My OCD is still a daily battle and I still have really bad days but who doesn't? I never think I will completely 'recover' but I am okay with that! I am living a great life despite my OCD.

Through my experience of mental health, I have become a better person, equiped with better skills to cope with the everyday. I feel almost lucky knowlng what it really feels like to hit 'rock bottom'; I can now fully appreciate the great times in my life as well as being able to truly empathise with those who are experiencing mental ill-health.

I am so excited and feel very priveleged to be able to volunteer at York Mind and finally give something back. I believe York Mind was a massive help to me in getting my life back on-track and I want to be able to do the same for others - supporting young people to develop in their lives and see beyond their mental ill-health.

A mental health diagnosis is such a tiny part of someone - with the right suport tose experiencing mental ill-health can still achieve amazing things. They can still be great friends and partners and enjoy a job they love - they can fulfil their hobbies and potential and most of all they can still have a great life!

York Advocacy - "a day in the life"

The York Advocacy Hub Team are a busy lot!

Recently when one of our advocates, Diane Neville-Beck, was featured in national Mind's Membership News magazine, in the "a day in the life" feature.

Extracts from the article appear here with the kind permission of Matt Kurton and Mind Membership News:

Diane Neville-Beck, Advocate at York Advocacy Hub

After Diane Neville-Beck was made redundant from her role as an occupational therapist, she wanted a new challenge while still supporting people to support themsleves. She now works with York Mind's advocacy service helping clients with everything from NHS complaints to worries about housing.

9am

I arrive at the office by bike, make a cup of tea and check who I need to speak to and see today. I used to work as an occupational therapist in neurological rehabilitation, and I was often frustrated by the lack of acknowledgement of people's mental health and wellbeing. When I was made redundant from, that role, it forced me to make a choice. I found myself thinking: who do I want to work with and what do I want to do? For me, the biggest thing about being an occupational therapist was supporting people to do what they wanted to do. That's exactly what I now do as an advocate.

9.45am

I cycle to meet a client I'm accompanying to a local resolution meeting at an NHS hospital. This lady came to us for support to make a complaint about the NHS, which is one of the types of advocacy we offer. We also run a generic advocacy service, which can involve anything - issues with GPs, housing, education - and a Care Act advocacy service. They all run through York Mind, but don't have a specific mental health focus.

This lady has complained about the treatment her husband received in hospital. He wasn't able to communicate for himself, and she wanted to be more involved with his care, particularly at meal times as he had trouble feeding himself. He was then discharged without proper checks being done, and he sadly died afterwards.

11.30am

I cycle back to the office and add the notes about this morning's meeting to our database, before having lunch with colleagues. We often support each other with the stresses of the job. I really value that.

1pm

I take a call from our local council about a client I've previously worked with under our Care Act advocacy contract. They want to review this person's transport provision and ask if I think it would be helpful to have an independent advocate involved. I say yes, my concern is changing transport provision for this person - who has a severe learning disability - could have a big impact on what he is able to do.

So I ask the council to refer the case to us and tell the person who allocates work here that I'd like to take that case. With people who struggle to communicate, having that continuity can made a big difference.

2pm

I meet a client who has referred herself to us via our generic advocacy service. She has high levels of anxiety and wants to have her housing reviewed. We start with some paperwork, and I explain that I am not here as a social worker or a crisis service, but to help her express her point of view.

4pm

As the day draws to a close, I follow up some messages that have come in, and run through my to do list for tomorrow. Overall, I love being an advocate. My focus now is very much on helping my clients, and that's all I've ever wnated to do. People have said to me. "I really appreciate your input, I couldn't have done this without you." That means a lot.

Looking back, I'm so glad that I was made redundant! I wouldn't ever have had this opportunity or even have looked for this role if that hadn't been the case.

If you live in the City of York and would like to make a referral to York Mind's Advocacy Team please contact York Advocacy on 01904 414 357,email office@yorkadvocacy.org.uk or visit the website www.yorkadvocacy.org.uk

Self Advocacy Support for people with Learning Difficulties

York Advocacy Hub

Recently, following a consultation with key partners, York Advocacy Hub (the partnership between York Advocacy and Cloverleaf Advocacy) has developed the Self Advocacy (SA) support to clients with learning difficulties/disabilities (LD). This support used to take the form of monthly facilitated outreach Self Advocacy Groups: two SA Forums per year plus a Christmas Social.

However, following the consultation three key themes were identified which have helped York Advocacy Hub shape and develop a new structure of support for the LD Community.

The new structure:

• Continuing to support the development of SA groups in provider settings - self advocates told us that the SA groups and forums were a valuable opportunity for them to raise issues, however, there was frustration about the lack of an effective platform to bring issues to decision makers in order to effect change. In particular the link between the forms and the Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Partnership Board (MHLDPB);
• Support the effective use of exisiting and new platforms to raising LD clients' issues - the likely splitting of CYC's Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Partnership Board later in 2017 provides a new opportunity to coordinate and feedback issues relating to the LD Community. Clients could also be supported to more effectively utilise existing platforms such as the York LD Forum to progress issues; and
• Widen the reach of our SA support for LD clients - we were keen to explore ways we could support the development of self advocacy skills and knowledge amongst a wider group of LD service providers than have previously accessed our SA forums and groups, in order to provide an effective channel for collation of themes across the community.

Current offer

In line with the themes above York Advocacy Hub will continue to provide SA support to the LD community, focusing on two main work streams:

1. Build a network of partners to collate wider themes - we will engage with a wide range of LD service providers and other voluntary sector organisations with a view to collecting regular datet on thmese raised by staff and service users, using them to identify trends and make use of appropriate platforms to highlight trends. We will aslo support providers where necessary to develop SA skills and knowledge within their settings, either in the form of direct training or a wider training event.
2. Self Advocate Forums - we will facilitate two SA Forums a year, and one Christmas Social, to enable clients who access a range of service providers to come together and discuss isues that concern them. We will support SA at these forums by:

• collating themes and producing easy read minutes;
• supporting self advocates to utilise suitable platforms to progress these issues further (such as the York LD Forum hosted by CVS and the LD Partnership Board);
• bringing wider themes we have gathered to the forums for further discussion.

In order to deliver this SA support we will recruit and train volunteers to facilitate the SA Forums.

Adrian shares his experience of counselling

"Counselling, it's not what you think!" 

Forget the steroetypical leather chaise longe and a Freudian looking chap in a tweed three piece suit asking you to "Tell me about your mother..." That may be de rigueur for film sets and some other centres, but not York Mind.

The Charity's Head Office, Highcliffe House, has recently undergone a trnsformation to make better use of the space and this makes the building feel a lot more 'logical'. when I was there, the atmosphere was relaxed, accepting and welcoming. There is a waiting room, which is now situated on the ground floor as opposed to the first floor where it used to be.

The meeting room my counsellor, Lisa, and I used was comfortable and enveloping, giving a sense of security. It provided a safe place to openly discuss things, and I never felt as though other people could overhear what was said. The room was sparsely furnished with a couple of comfy chairs and a low level table, but that was just enough and made for no distractions. Lisa recorded our sessions with my approval, as this would be used to help improve the service they provide and also for case work and statistics. I felt eminently comfortable with the confidentiality provided and would heartily recommend you permit your sessions to be recorded, to help in the support of future clients.

When I first started my sessions, I wasn't sure what to expect to be honest and every week I made a conscious effort not to prepare for the session. This wasn't derived from a negative perspective; it was so that discussions and thoughts could develop organically throughout the session. My counsellor, Lisa, is softly spoken and this definitely had a calming and relaxing effect. She possesses a wonderful ability to tease thoughts and ideas from you, without you realising.

Lisa doesn't lead the conversation and doesn't steer it in a particular direction, merely listens to you and asks you to expand, search, consider etc. The sessions were essentially a 'chat' between us and I frequently found that we were returning to the same or similar topics. Again, this was not a retrograde step, but it almost felt like a review and check, just to be sure. I found the sessions very 'easy' and this made them fly past. I've never known an hour go so fast!

Every few weeks we would review where we were and what areas we had covered. This usually solicited further discussion, if only to confirm that we would 'park' that train of thought for a while and revisit if required.

One of the main things I have taken away from my time at York Mind is that 'it's all about me'. This may seem like a strange statement to make given you are there for professional services, but that was one of the areas we quickly arrived at and used as an anchor though all the sessions. Let me clarify; what I mean is that this is where I needed to get back to, me! Lisa has helped me do this over the time we spend together and this has enabled me to understand and accept who I am, and the inter-relationships with others. I guess I could say I am now the me I have always wanted to be - Adrian version 2.0.

Thank you Lisa and York Mind for your wonderful support!

Thank you so much to Adrian for sharing his experience of our specialist counselling service - we are delighted to hear that through our support he is now better able to enjoy being 'Adrian'!

Picture: Adrian on holiday in Eygpt

Abbie's York 10k tribute

York Mind is incredibly lucky to have some amazing fundraisers who go above and beyond to raise money and awareness for York Mind. One such special fundraiser is Abbie Hall who, thisyear, was part of York Mind's York 10k team.

Abbie had a very important reason for wanting to run on our behalf and we are truly grateful that she has agreed to share her story with us:

"On 12th May 2016 I lost a good friend, Joe Robinson. Joe was loved by so many, but unfortunately he didn't love himself, after struggling with anxiety and depression he decided it was time to end his battle and set his soul free.

Whether Joe was that happy, smiling doorman you had the pleasure of seeing on your night out in York, whether he was a work colleague or lifelong friend, many of us lost someone beautiful that day.

After the initial shock and the funeral came the 'I wish there was something I could do'. Then I realised there was, maybe not for Joe, but for all of those still fighting that battle. So I decided to raise money and awareness for York Mind by doing the York 10k.

The initial training was hard, my fitness was pretty much non existent and it wasn't enjoyable at all, but I persevered and took part in the York 10k 2016. It being my first race I didn't really know what to expect but my goodness, the support almost bought me to tears multiple times.

People who didn't even know me were cheering me on and supporting me. It was so heartwarming. Since then, I vowed to do the York 10k 2017 as part of the York Mind team.

In the past year I have felt the unbelievable health benefits on both my physical and mental health that running can offer and I couldn't think of a better sport to couple with my fundraising.

I have now completed the York 10k 2017. The support from the York Mind cheer team was just what I needed around the half-way point and for so many people to spend their morning cheering and supporting runners who they may not even know really gives you that sense of what you are doing is something special and people appreciate it. It really carries you through.

The support that York Mind and Holly have given me during this journey has truly shown what a difference the awareness and funds make to the charity and in doing so, I get to help York Mind help others and keep my friends memory alive. I couldn't be prouder to be a part of it."

Picture: Abbie and Jo

60 years of community carols

York Mind is delighted to be the chosen charity, for the second year running, for the York Community Carols, which are held annually at York Barbican.

Our deepest thanks to all the staff at York Press who have selected us as the charity partner once again.

This year it is an extra special celebration because 2017 marks the 60th anniversary of the event!

Tickets are now available for the concert, which takes place on Sunday 17th December at 2.30pm, via the York Barbican ticket office.

Picture: 60th Anniversary of York's Community Carols at York Barbican

Art's Award blog

York Mind works closely with Arts Award to bring the accredited Arts Award qualification to the young people that we support. Arts Award is a unique qualification scheme managed by Trinity College, London and provides young people with the opportunity to explore any art form, and helps to build confidence and skills to help further their progression into other forms of training and employment.

Recently, Arts Award featured our work on their website blog when Imogen, our Volunteer Arts Award Assistant, wrote a guest edition.

Imogen tells us about her experience delivering Arts Award to young people with a range of mental health issues, and the positive impact this work has had.

"On a Thursday night in a meeting room at York Mind I am lucky enough to be a volunteer Arts Award assistant to a group of charming, bright and creative young people. York Mind is a charity that provides support for people with mental health problems in the York area. one way that we are doing so for young people is via Bronze Arts Award for ages 13-16.

A lot of the young people that we see are involved in mental health services and all have some kind of mental health issue - be that diagnosed or undiagnosed anxiety problems, depression or high levels of stress. Through Arts Award we introduce these young people to different art forms. Some are well aware of where their artisitic interests lie before the first session, others we help to find their creative muse over the weeks. We are currently on the third intake of the 16-week course.

As a facilitator one of my favourite parts is near the beginning, when we give each young person a notebook of their own along with a folder for thier evidence. We stress how the notebook is not to be considered as 'work' and that they can use it as a private space to do whatever they wish.

Myself and the young people's coordinator, Rab, are not therapists; we don't psychoanalyse what young people say in the group and we don't ask leading questions about mental health. We aim to provide a space for young people to achieve and have a break from whatever problems they experience outside the sessions. For us, Arts Award offers the perfect framework to achieve this. We have discovered that when given the space and the like-mindedness of other young people many participants will open up to each other about their difficulties in pairs or small groups. One of the previous groups even stays in contact with each other via WhatsApp despite their Arts Award journey with us ending.

To date we have tried all kinds of art forms, inviting local artists with a range of specialisms to run workshops. We have done a lot of work on photography and visual art but the young people have also lead us to work with clay, origami and the written word. We have even painted on ice! It is amazing to be able to introduce young peple to all these arts forms, especially as many of them start with us believing that 'art' only refers to paint and canvas.

The Arts Award group has been incredibly popular amongst our young people, so much so that some of our past groups have recommended us to friends who are struggling. Arts Award offers so many beneficial aspects to participants - social skills, development of artistic skills and increased self-esteem. It promotes to our young people that the arts are always there for them regardless of what problems they may be facing in life. The arts are a great outlet for difficult emotions, and the Bronze Award introduces the young people at York Mind to the many ways they can use art to deal with whatever struggles they may have.

The most important part of this? It is great fun, and that alone in my opinion is enough to improve anybody's mental health!

 Picture: Arts Award

Our great thanks go to Imogen for sharing her experience of our group and to Arts Award @ArtsAward for featuring our work and for the use of their blog edition in this newsletter  

Fundraising news

York Mind has just enjoyed a fantastic York 10k event - the second year that we were an official Charity Partner of the Jane Tomlinson Run For All road race.

We hope that everyone that took part is recovering well and we thank you again if you took part in aid of York Mind.

It is not an exaggeration to say that every single one of you, whether you were running, volunteering or marshalling, are absolute champions!

The achey legs and lost voices will not last forever - however, if you would like a (free) memento of your amazingness, we have uploaded a gallery of race day pictures onto our webite. They can be found here: https://www.yorkmind.org.uk/fundraising/fundraising-gallery/york-10k-2017/

Drum roll please......

We are not lying when we refer to you all as amazing.

You wonderful people, have helped Team York Mind raise (so far) an absolutley incredible £8,925 from the York 10k!!

With GiftAid added, that is around £10,659 raised towards better mental health in York.

PHEW!!

We do loads of excellent fundraising and awareness events in York across the year and we would love for you to join us again.

Challenges, music festivals, bucket collections to name a few.

If you would like to be kept up-to-date with opportunities to volunteer at events, find out more about upcoming challenges, such as next year's York 10k or the Great North Run, and receive this quarterly newsletter please do get in touch: holly.bilton@yorkmind.org.uk

Corporate support is really vital to any charity and at York Mind we rely on local business and staff teams to ensure the future of our services for the local community. Most recently employees at M&S Vangarde, BrightFive, Purcell Architects and DE Ford,  have all been doing exciting things to raise funds for us, as well as proving that getting charitable as a group is a great way to create bonds and strengthen your staff team.

Please also get in touch with Holly if you, or your employer, support charities, would like a new challenge and could help fundraise for York Mind.

Picture: York Mind at the York 10k

Tireless Tricia's a star volunteer

We are delighted that one of our amazing volunteers was recently honoured with a Community Pride Award nomination, as featured in The York Press, 1st August 2017: Daniel Willers.

A dedicated charity volunteer from York has received recognition for her tireless work.

Tricia Pollard, became a fundraising volunteer for York Mind, an independent provider of mental health services in York and its surrounding area, four years ago.

Although she faced a devastating personal tragedy last year when her son died, "her dedication to the charity has remaind throughout"

That is according to Claire Gibb, who has nominated Tricia for a Community Pride Award, in the Volunteer of the Year category.

Claire said: "Tricia first started volunteering for York Mind in 2013 when her daughter Holly became their community fundraiser. She quickly became a regular at fundraising events, supporting Holly and the many other volunteers.

"Throughout the year, Tricia is out with the York Mind team every weekend, setting up gazebos in the great British weather in a field or street somewhere in York.

"She is such a reliable, hands-on volunteer.

"York Mind directly helped over 1,000 people in York last year to improve their mental health. Hundreds more have stopped by for a chat at fundraising events, and spent some time talking with Tricia about what they're going through. She's the first point of call for many people who are taking their first step in accessing support which could change their lives for the better."

Claire says fundraising is not all about collecting money, it is also about "making a connection in the moment with someone", possibly at a difficult time in their lives.

She added: "Tricia will put herself out there at the social side of events and can often be found having a giggle with a stranger over a shared topic of interest."

In April 2016, Tricia's son Mark died of malignaant melanoma, an agressive skin cancer, at the age of 31, after undergoing treatment since 2012.

"In these years, Tricia has always made time for volunteering." Claire said.

Tricia will be running in the Yorkshire Marathon in York in October in aid of York Mind.

Claire described Tricia as a "true inspiration."

The Community Pride Awards are run by The Press with City of York Council and the primary sponsor is York based healthcare organisation Benenden. Nominees must live in, or contribute to life in the City of York Council area.

Finalists will be announced in The Press this month and will be invited to an awards ceremony at York Race course in October.

Picture: Tricia and daughter Holly

Credit Daniel Willers - York Press @danielwillerspress

Crombie and Wilkinson Solicitors Tour de France

Roses 2017 - Third Sector Awards nomination

In the last edition of the York Mind Newsletter we reported on Roses 2017 - where the Sports Unions of York University and Lancaster University competed against each other in the UK's largest inter-university Sporting Tournament.

We are delighted to update you that the collaboration between the two Universities, and York and Lancashire Mind, has been nominated for a prestigious Third Sector Fundraising Award for 'Best Charity Partnership'.

We are very honoured to have been considered for this and can't wait to find out if we win!

Picture: Roses 2017

Art Exhibition and Auction 'Change'

Picture: Art Auction poster - event to help mark World Mental Health Week 2017

York Mind and Rethink, York Group

In November York Mind and Rethink York, will join forces again in support of mental health services in York and host the second, annual Art Exhibition and Auction.

After last year's successful event in May, we are now seeking new donated works to include in the next event, which will be held at the City Screen Gallery between 26th October - 26th November 2017.

All works displayed wil be auctioned throughout the month, with all money raised being split equally between the two charities.

If you, or someone you know, would be ineterested in donating some art, please get in touch: holly.bilton@yorkmind.org.uk

The deadline for submissions is Friday 29th September 2017.

Calling all artists

Picture: York Mind and Rethink - York Group, announce Art Auction in York Press

With thanks to York Press for the use of this photo which featured along with the article in the 7th August edition

Befriending take to the woods

Recently, the York Befriending Group took part in a Woodland Woodwork session in the woodlands behind York Cemetery. They enjoyed some time sitting around a campfire and were taught how to whittle wood. They even got to make some butter knives/cooking utensils from some fresh wood!

They also picked fresh herbs from the public herb garden to brew into a tea. It was a wonderful session with many participants stating how much they loved it and wanted to do it again!

Many commented how peacful it was and how it really relaxed them - which is amazing to hear.

Picture: wood knives created by the group

If you would like to find out more about York Mind's Befriending Service please email hannah.hessle@yorkmind.org.uk or call 01904 643364.

'Mental Health and Wellbeing Activities Programme' now taking referrals

York Mind's new Activities Programme has now been launched in partnership with Converge, St Nicks, York Carers Centre, Sunshine Changing Lanes and Kindlewoods. The programme supports individuals with their mental health and well-being.

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Activities Programme is funded by City of York Council for three years and reflects its commitment and investment in mental health provision and the early intervention agenda.

Bespoke Activities will run across the year, with staggered start dates and include guided learning, such as:

• Conflict resolution;
• Dealing with loneliness and isolation;
• Vocational courses;
• Facilitated peer support;
• Carers Wellbeing workshops;
• Green exercise;
• Woodland well-being sessions;
• Social events; and
• Support groups.

Participants are already enjoying:

• Cycling;
• Nordic Walking; and
• Mindful Movement.

York Mind will deliver guided learning including:

• Mindfulness;
• Confidence and Resilience;
• Mental Health Awareness;
• Well-being and social activities e.g. mindful walking;
• Themed coffee mornings; and
• A weekly drop in cafe.

An important part of the programme is that participants will be able to select those activities that they feel will support them the most, based on their own interests, needs and goals.

Please see our website to view the full Activities Brochure, enrolment form and guidelines https://www.yorkmind.org.uk/our-services/mental-health-wellbeing-activities-programme/

If you would like to find out more about the Activities Programme please contact the team on 01904 643 364 or email activities@yorkmind.org.uk

York Mind Training

York Mind is now able to offer a range of Training Courses.

We can provide: Mental Health First Aid Training; Mindfulness and ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills).

Places are available on existing course dates or by booking a bespoke, in-house course for a group or organisation.

If you want any further information on York Mind's Training Services please contact Mark Willis on training@yorkmind.org.uk or 01904 643 364.

And finally...

As always, a massive thank you goes out to all of you who support York Mind and the very valuable work that we do.

Please do keep getting involved and helping us to raise much needed awareness of mental health issues, as well as those precious funds required in order to keep our vital services running for the people of York and North Yorkshire.