AMH needs your help! We are looking for volunteers to help out at our bag pack on Friday 10 February 10am – 4pm at Tesco Castlebawn in Newtownards.
If you could spare one hour we’d love to hear from you. Call Katrina McIlmail on 028 9182 2410.
All posts by actionmentalhealth
Celebrating Client Success
There was a celebratory mood in Portadown Town Hall on 31 January as AMH New Horizons Craigavon & Banbridge recognised the achievements of their clients.
Lord Mayor Cllr Garath Keating was in attendance to present a range of certificates to mark the many accomplishments in areas including employability, IT, photography, horticulture, wellbeing and business and administration.
Speaking at the event Colin Loughran, AMH Service Manager said, “I am delighted to see the achievements of all the learners and applaud everyone on their hard work and recovery journey. It’s a pleasure to work with, and for, people so determined to make positive change in their lives no matter how small that role may be.
“Our staff team should be proud of their achievements in designing and delivering the broad range of opportunities for people to benefit from.
“The achievements celebrated today are the result of the effective partnership between AMH, the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020 and the Department for the Economy, and the Southern Health & Social Care Trust, who are thanked for their continued support of our work.”
During the event Renatas Dirse shared his thoughts on his journey so far. He said, “I attended a mix of classes such as IT, gardening and Tai Chi. I enjoyed the routine of going to the classes and they really helped me a lot. I have more trust in myself as I have actually achieved something and have more confidence to apply for jobs.”
AMH New Horizons offer a range of recognised qualifications and provide training, personal development programmes and social and recreational activities. AMH New Horizons offers guidance and support, helping people to overcome the effects of mental ill health and in many cases return to work.
Hannah – Working it Out in Antrim
“AMH New Horizons Antrim has been very beneficial to me in a number of ways:
As a young person suffering from social anxiety and depression it can be hard to make friends and socialise. AMH has helped me with this in different ways. I have met people who have had similar life experiences and have made new friends.
AMH offer a range of different courses which are very beneficial to people who are suffering with mental health problems, such as personal success and wellbeing, stress management techniques, NVQ’s, and social cookery and many more.
I am a member of the EVOLVE group. This takes place on a Tuesday and a Friday. EVOLVE is a programme for young people aged 18-25 years. We have completed OCN Level 2 Employability and OCN Level 2 Team Work Skills. It is not all about completing training we also go on trips out and do fun activities. We visited Coke-a Cola factory, had a day out at Belfast Christmas Market, cannoed on Lough Neagh and had trips to the cinema. EVOLVE has helped me greatly with meeting people and making new friends around the same age group as me. I would highly recommend attending EVOLVE to anyone between the ages of 18-25.
I am also involved in the CLAG (Client Local Advisory Group) I am a lead in the CLAG which means I attend meetings with the Client Development Co-ordinator to discuss ideas and suggestions and to find ways to improve the service. I also attend regional meetings to be a voice for clients in the Antrim service. The Regional Client Advisory Group have met with the CEO of AMH and the Chairperson of AMH to discuss the wider issues of service provision for people with mental ill health in Norther Ireland.
Over-all Antrim New Horizons is a great support to me. The staff are very understanding and show an interest in all clients’ wellbeing”.
Hannah is a participant on the ESF Working it Out project.
Employability training in Downpatrick
AMH Downpatrick were delighted to receive a visit from Christine Cunningham, Branch Manager, Danske Bank and Joan Fegan, Careers Service, Ballynahinch JBO recently.
They visited the service to enable clients undertaking employability training, as part of the ESF Working it Out project, to experience a job interview. This was a very beneficial experience for the clients involved, with the feedback proving to be particularly useful.
Jimmy’s 10K
Run, relay or walk!
Jimmy’s 10K takes place on Sunday 12 March and Action Mental Health is delighted to be Charity Partner for this event.
The event is organised by East Down Athletic Club in memory of Jimmy Murray, one of the founding members of the club.
The event starts at 11.00am in Downpatrick, Co. Down. For more information on the event or to register go to www.eastdownac.co.uk or www.athleticsni.org
Working it Out with AMH Antrim
Clients and staff in Action Mental Health New Horizons were busy this week, showcasing the Working it Out project to visiting funders to the Antrim facility. The Working it Out project works with individuals who are recovering from mental ill health and progressing towards further education, training or employment.
Part-funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020, the project provides training in personal development, vocational skills and employability. Welcoming Fiona White, Managing Authority for the European Social Fund to their facilities in Antrim, Service Manager John Davis led visitors through an IT session, an employability workshop and observed younger people taking part in the Evolve programme which aims to develop their confidence and self-esteem.
Specialist staff deliver accredited training and work with individuals to develop goals, action plans and support work based training placements to assist in their progression and enhance social inclusion.
Liz’s Story
“AMH has put my life back on track, when I’d given up hope”.
Despite having a huge amount of experience, I’d been unable to find a job for several years and had lost all confidence. I was very successful in my early career, and had rebuilt a freelance business after my breakdown, but this didn’t seem to count for anything in the Northern Ireland job market. I became a bit of a recluse, rarely left the house and generally felt useless.
Sonia (Employment Officer at AMH New Horizons Belfast) tapped into my love of crafts and got me volunteering at art groups, where I found myself not just useful, but valued. I found out what I was good at and learned new skills as well. From there I moved to a charity to support them with social media and their website, and after a few months they wanted to pay me for the work I was doing. They increased my hours and gave me a new role, but I wanted to get back to a job where I could do what I was really good at – public relations. I started applying for jobs again, and when my dream job came up at Alzheimer’s Society, I knew it matched my skills. It was a job share two days a week, which was exactly what I was looking for. Sonia and Chris coached me in interview skills and ran through a practice interview with me, which boosted my confidence immensely. When the real interview came round I was well prepared, felt confident and actually enjoyed it. I got the job and love it. I know if I need extra support the Workable programme is available to me. So far I haven’t needed it, but it’s great to know it is there if I do, and that I’ll have support from an organisation I already know and trust if I do need it.”
Danske Bank Brightens up “Blue Monday”
Danske Bank has today announced that Action Mental Health will be its new charity partner for 2017.
Money raised through the partnership will help fund AMH’s work with young people through their Mensanna project including delivery of ‘Healthy Me’; a health promotion programme for 8-11 year olds that aims to positively promote mental health and social and emotional wellbeing in children.
Announcing the new partnership, Danske Bank’s Chief Executive Kevin Kingston:
“As a local bank, we are aware that mental ill-health is a growing issue in Northern Ireland and we feel privileged to work with Action Mental Health in 2017.“Danske Bank staff and customers have a long history of supporting local charities and have raised over £1.3m over the past 10 years alone. This year through our Danske Time to Give volunteering programme, we will have an even greater focus on our staff contributing their time, skills and professional expertise to support Action Mental Health and its clients. And like any good partnership, we will also be able to benefit from Action Mental Health’s expertise to better support our staff and customers throughout 2017.”
Action Mental Health’s Chief Executive, David Babington, said:
“We are extremely pleased that Danske Bank has chosen to focus on and support mental health and well-being in the coming year and we are delighted to have the support of such a recognisable brand like Danske Bank. Our team in AMH will work closely with Danske Bank to host a number of fundraising activities and events to raise much needed funds and awareness, tackle stigma and promote positive mental health”.
To help kick-start fundraising, Danske Bank and Action Mental Health will be hosting a Dragon Boat Race on the River Lagan on Saturday 11th March 2017.