AWARE NI Newsletter: March 2023
Welcome to the March edition of the AWARE NI Newsletter - and the first one of 2023!
This Newsletter will provide updates from across our organisation about the latest events, achievements, and individual milestones.
We hope you enjoy this update.
- The Comms Team
What we've been up to...
Support Services & Community Outreach
Public Talks
We held a very successful Public Talk in Strabane on 20th March with the theme of ‘Let’s Talk about Mental Health’ and around 60 attendees. We had extremely positive feedback from members of the local community, professionals, and service users who attended. Thanks again to the Royal College of Psychiatrists who partnered with us for the event.
Young Adult Focus Group
We held our first regional Young Adult Focus group this month at the Europa Hotel. It was an extremely useful and empowering opportunity for the young adults and staff. We explored our current support group model and determined how we can best engage and support our younger service users. We hope these engagements will form the basis for a Young Adult Committee for AWARE.
St Patrick's Day Float
We were delighted that some of our Volunteers from Newry were able to take part in Newry St Patrick's Day float with our wonderful AWARE NI cars on full display! This was a fabulous opportunity to profile our services, with share some of our leaflets, stress balls, and balloons!
Helplines Network Event?
We attended?the first Helplines Network event in Stormont since the first lockdown in 2020. This was attended by representatives of all the Helpline providers in Northern Ireland and was hosted by Linda McAuley from BBC Radio Ulster.
Fundraising
The fundraising team are gearing up for a busy summer of events!
Giant Steps - Saturday 20th May
This exciting event offers participants the chance to hike 7, 13 or 26 miles along the stunning Causeway Coast while raising funds for AWARE NI’s vital mental health services.
By taking part, you’ll be helping AWARE NI provide vital support and resources to those impacted by depression and other mental health challenges. Every step you take will help raise awareness of mental health issues and promote the importance of seeking help when needed.
Registration for Giant Steps is now OPEN, so why wait?!?For more information and to register, please visit: www.aware-ni.org/giant??
Viking Race - Saturday 24th June
Row, row, row your boat...to support local people living with mental illness!
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time competitor, join us for a day of excitement, camaraderie and competition. And the best part? By participating, you’ll be supporting local people affected by mental illness!
So grab your oars and register today by emailing [email protected]
You, Me & a Cup of Tea!
Talking and connecting with others is fantastic for our mental health!
That's why we're encouraging YOU to come together with friends, family and colleagues for a cuppa to get talking and raise funds to support local people affected by mental illness in Northern Ireland!
With April being Stress Awareness Month, this could be the perfect opportunity to make space for a conversation about mental health - just #YouMeAndACupOfTea
Sign up for your FREE resource pack here: aware-ni.org/you-me-a-cup-of-tea or by emailing [email protected]
Volunteers Needed!
We’re seeking your help at the upcoming Belfast City Marathon, AWARE Viking Race and AWARE Giant Steps.
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As a volunteer, you will play an essential role in ensuring that these events run smoothly and successfully. Your support will help raise much-needed funds for AWARE NI’s essential mental health services.
Volunteer opportunities include helping with event set-up, distributing refreshments to participants, cheering on walkers and runners, and providing directions and support to event attendees.
To sign up as a volunteer or learn more about these opportunities, please get in touch by emailing [email protected]
Corporate Partnerships
We’ve been very excited to announce a number of new partnerships with several prominent corporations across Northern Ireland within the past month.
Through these partnerships, these companies have pledged their support to help AWARE NI to raise awareness of mental health and provide critical services to those in need. By working together, we can make a real difference to those impacted by depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder in Northern Ireland.
AWARE NI is incredibly grateful to these companies for their support and commitment to improving mental health outcomes in Northern Ireland! By coming together, we can help ensure that no one has to face mental health challenges alone and that everyone has access to the support they need to thrive.
Community Fundraising
Two local organisations within the sporting and fitness industry are joining team AWARE NI in our mission to overcome depression!
We’ve partnered with Northstar Baseball, Belfast Angels Softball Club, Belfast Buccaneers Baseball and Baseball Academy Northern Ireland to promote positive mental health and raise funds for mental health services in NI.
In a world where mental health concerns are on the rise, it’s important for individuals and organisations to take action and support those in need. That’s exactly what?Avenge CrossFit?is doing with their latest initiative:?RESET?in support of?AWARE NI!
RESET is a?6-week programme of free fitness classes?aimed at helping people with their mental health. The 1-hour classes will be run at Avenge CrossFit’s Mallusk location and are?open to anyone?who would like to participate – whether you are used to training or it’s your first time.
For more details, visit: https://aware-ni.org/news/free-fitness-classes-thanks-to-avenge-crossfit
Education and Training
March was a busy time for Education & Training team!
We went back to delivering in-person Mental Health First Aid in the AWARE NI training room and hope to have open courses on the website soon.
This month we have 11 new Mental Health First Aid trainers who have all started delivering sessions as part of the mentoring process to gain full trainer status - we wish them the best of luck!
143 programmes were delivered or ongoing during March, including:
Connecting Schools to their Communities?
Education + Training officer Jemma attended the Connecting Schools to their Communities event, which was organised by the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.?
The event focused on the support that the 3rd sector can provide to students and teachers in Post Primary education.
Communications
It's been another busy month for the communications team! We have been working on supportive and positive Midday Mindfulness videos alongside spreading the word about our incredible mental health support groups.
To watch the videos in full click the links below
World Bipolar Day
Thursday 30th March was World Bipolar Day which is internationally recognised as a day to raise awareness about bipolar disorder and challenge the social stigma that surrounds it.
AWARE NI put together a myth-busting infographic with tips that you can use to fight stigma in your everyday life.
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1 年Previous experience in working within Mental and keen to return to this field, upskill and using current experience to help others. I’ll make contact soon and keep up the great work ??