The Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Julie Flaherty, has been getting an insight into the wide-reaching work of Action Mental Health in the local community.
Councillor Flaherty recently visited with Action Mental Health personnel and clients during a special tour of Tannaghmore Gardens near Lurgan, in a bid to learn about the link between the picturesque venue and the charity. The gardens provide training and employment opportunities for people who attend the nearby AMH New Horizons which serves the Council Borough.
Mrs Flaherty paid the visit as part of her commitment to support the charity ahead of the Council’s support for World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 and World Mental Health Day, which takes place on October 10. It is on the latter date when civic buildings throughout the borough are expected to ‘Go Purple’ and be illuminated in purple light in support of AMH’s many events to mark the global spotlight on mental health issues.
The Working it Out project delivered by AMH New Horizons is part-funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020 and the Department for the Economy
Action Mental Health Chief Executive David Babington was there to greet the mayor and explained how the gardens aid people’s recovery from periods of mental ill-health.
“We have been working within the gardens since the mid-1990s and here, we help create vocational, employment and life skills opportunities for people during their recovery journey through individually tailored and progressive support plans. Our partnership with ABC here at Tannaghmore Gardens also enables clients to make a significant contribution to their community in maintaining the beautiful Walled Garden.”
AMH have enjoyed a positive working relationship with the ABC Council and look forward to future collaborations that will collectively help in countering the stigma that still exits, limiting the potential for people who experience mental ill health and their quality of life.
