Action Mental Health continues to be the recipient of kind acts and wonderful generosity. We are so thankful for everyone who has given their time, raised funds and been a part of AMH this year.
Many thanks to Quicklet who have kindly donated 75 Christmas hampers to the clients of Action Mental Health. As they were unable to have their usual Christmas staff party this year, the team at Quicklet thought it would be a good opportunity to donate the money to a local charity.They purchased festive food and wrestled with cellophane wrap to make up hampers to be spread out across AMH services in Lisburn, Lurgan and Belfast area, where Quicklet offices are also based.
Dee O’Reilly from Quicklet said
“We wanted to do something a bit more personal that just donating money so that’s where the hamper idea came from. Everyone is aware of the detrimental effects of coronavirus and we wanted to help promote “minding your mental health” given the isolation that this year has brought. I’m sure this Christmas will be hard for many people this year so if we can provide any sort of joy then we will be happy. We have offices in Belfast, Lisburn & Lurgan so we wanted to donate to a local charity so that the benefits could be felt in our community.
All of the AMH staff have been a pleasure to talk to and the messages of appreciation that Quicklet have received are truly heartwarming.
We wish you all a Happy Christmas and a better year in 2021!”
A big thank you from all at AMH New Horizons, Newry & Mourne to the Mater Private Radiology Department for the donation of 10 Beautiful Christmas Hampers.
Photograph L-R Michael, Joe, Kenny and Brendan with some of the Hampers.
We know that Christmas can be a difficult time for many people and this year it will be even more challenging for some due to the ongoing pandemic.
To compliment Action Mental Health’s Elfie fundraising campaign, today we are delighted to launch Elfie’s very special advent calendar.
Just as the traditional chocolate advent calendar brings joy to children who delight in prising open the day’s perforated window for a delicious treat, Action Mental Health’s special advent calendar is dedicated to spreading nothing but joy in a year many will be happy to put behind us.
We at Action Mental Health just want to make Christmas 2020 a whole lot brighter as we rally our way through difficult times. We’ll bring you acts of kindness, tips on looking after your mental health, uplifting and motivational stories and quotes, favourite age-old Christmas traditions, special recipes and festive carols, movies or books – or whatever it is that helps make you smile and lifts your mood.
Alongside the advent calendar, our Elfie Day on December 11th is aimed at raising funds to support Action Mental Health’s’ local services. For example, raising £65 could help to pay for a counselling session for a local person who is struggling to cope; £285 could help to pay for a 6 week arts-based therapy programme for a child; £500 could help to pay for specialist training to help people develop strategies for dealing with stress & anxiety; £1000 could help to pay for a resilience building programme to be delivered in a local primary school and £2000 could help to pay for a family therapy Intervention programme for local families.
AMH has produced a comprehensive Fundraising Pack to provide a host of ideas on how to best to mark Elfie day, so visit amh.org.uk, email [email protected] or call the fundraising elves on 028 9182 8494.
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Well, the clock is winding down and almost all the advent calendar windows are open – it’s nearly Christmas! For those of us in charge of planning the Christmas day menu, Lesley from our Communications team has got a whopper of a recipe for your festive ham that will have your dinner companions begging for more!
I reach for this recipe every Christmas, from Arabella Boxer’s Christmas Cooking cook book, as I reach for the tissues – for this is a festive favourite that my late mother always cooked for my family every Christmas. As I delve into its food-caked pages, imagining my mum fingering its pages with sugar and breadcrumb-coated hands, I’m always transported back into her hectic Christmas kitchen when she’d be shouting at the dog to get out from under her feet, while slapping my dad’s and my hand away from the delicious fare she was producing.
Not only does it kindle memories of my mum, it is just simply delicious and my own children just devour it, annually fighting over the last bits of sugary-savoury crust that tops this delectable dish of ham.
Ingredients:
Serves 10-12
1 ham or gammon 3.5-4.5kg/8-10lbs
3 large onions
4 celery stalks
3 large carrots
2 turnips
2 parsnips
4 parsley stalks
2 bay leaves
15 peppercorns
225g/8oz granulated sugar
300ml/½ pint cider vinegar
1 cup soft brown sugar
½ cup fresh brown breadcrumbs
1 dessertspoon French mustard
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
Preparation time: 15 minutes, plus cooling
Cooking time: 3 – 4 hours
Oven: 180 °C/350° F, gas mark 4
Method:
Soak the ham in cold water for 24 hours then remove from the water and put in large saucepan with vegetables, parsley, herbs, vinegar and granulated sugar. Cover with cold water and bring almost to boiling point.
Time the cooking from the first moment bubbles start to reach the surface. Do not allow it ever to reach simmering or boiling point. Allow 20minutes per 450g (1lb) skimming off any brown froth that rises to the surface. Keep the heat well below boiling point all the time.
When the cooking time is up, turn off the heat, pour in a cup of cold water to arrest the cooking, and leave the ham to cool in the water. When cool, lift the ham out of the water and remove the skin.
Mix the brown sugar and breadcrumbs to a paste with the mustard and vinegar. Smooth the mixture all over the fatty surface of the ham with a palette knife, pressing well in. Do not do this too far in advance of the baking or most of it will slide off.
Bake for 45 minutes in a preheated oven, basting half-way through with a little extra vinegar. Leave for 15 minutes in the oven with the heat turned off and the door slightly open, or in a warm place before attempting to carve. Service with Cumberland sauce or mustard sauce.
On Day 20 of Action Mental Health’s Elfie Advent Calendar, Samantha Coleman, Action Mental Health’s Fundraising and Engagement Co-ordinator, fondly reminisces on the moving and memorable Christmases of her childhood and beyond…
“I remember clearly, the first time in walked into St Nicholas’s ancient medieval church in Carrickfergus. I was 17 and was attending the Christmas by Candlelight, service, right on the stroke of 12 midnight. The atmosphere in the church was reverent but also buzzing with excitement – little ones in nightgowns, big coats and warm hats, snoozing on mum and dad’s knee, dreaming about what Santa would bring. As the years have gone by, I have attended regularly, but my new tradition since getting married is attending my husband’s church at Clonard, late on Christmas eve.”
Samantha Coleman gets nostalgic about Christmases past and present, and remembers last year’s Christmas service at Clonard Monastery.
This year, due to the ongoing pandemic, it won’t be possible, so I will watch Carol’s from Kings, light some festive candles, pop them on my window sill, and look out into the crisp night sky. I’ll look out eagerly, to see if I can spot the big man himself with Dancer, Prancer, Dasher, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Blitzen and of course, Rudolph.”
Day 20 #ElfieAdvent – Downpatrick sings Silent Night
Usually at Christmas time the talented musicians and singers from AMH New Horizons Downpatrick spread joy to local community groups by playing and singing carols. This year, as we all know, it is a little bit different! Our very talented staff Aisling and Ciara perform Silent Night – adhering to Covid-19 guidelines – for us all to enjoy! AMH Downpatrick New Horizons wishes you a very Merry Christmas!
As the countdown to the big day continues (6 sleeps!), you might be feeling the stresses of the season, especially with the extra burden of the ongoing pandemic.
If that’s the case for you, perhaps the time is ripe for you to take a step back and indulge yourself in something you love doing – like a favourite hobby or pastime.
We know that activities that get you out and about can make you feel happier and more relaxed but research also shows that people with hobbies are less likely to suffer from stress, low mood, and depression.
Hobbies and pastimes help you switch off from your usual daily grind of responsibilities and obligations. Whether you opt for something creative like arts and crafts, something musical or anything physical from sports to gardening, hobbies offer you the chance to engage in something that brings proven health benefits.
And while you can still chill out by bingeing a TV series, a hobby is something that lets you more fully engage with, and feeds your need for something more meaningful and a purpose.
A hobby helps relieve the feelings of stress by offering a great way of unwind from your daily routine. And rather than just passing the time, a hobby you love helps you feel happier, more relaxed and better equipped to handle life’s many stressors – and can even improve feelings of anxiety or depression.
Hobbies help build resilience, deal with setbacks and challenges and can even improve your sleep, by offering pockets of peace and rest.
Hobbies like photography help you capture the beauty of the world around you – yes, even in 2020 there is beauty to be found if you really look.
Just like the clients at AMH New Horizons Newry, who have been learning the tips and tricks of the trade in regular photography sessions, photography is one of those hobbies that can take you away from anything that is stressing you.
A picture taken by a member of Newry’s photography club a few years ago
Similarly, clients at AMH New Horizons Lisburn and Antrim have been feeling the soothing effects of hobbies, like arts and crafts, and reaping the rewards by producing the amazing array of the crafts photographed.
AMH New Horizons Antrim have been learning the art of felting and making Snowperson Christmas wreaths. They have also been making Christmas Bottle Lights!
AMH New Horizons in Lisburn have been having a lot of creative fun this festive season and have been learning a range of new skills – the results are wonderful!
Clients from AMH Newry, Lisburn & Antrim are taking part in the Working it Out Projects which is part-funded through the NI European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020 and the Department for the Economy.
This year’s Action Mental Health’s Elfie Advent Calendar has brought much-needed Christmas cheer in many guises. However, the festive season with its focus on food can bring challenges for those of you affected by eating disorders. Once again, AMH everyBODY is here for you, lending a little festive support with their 12 Christmas coping tips, helping you focus on the fun of the season.
Follow AMH everyBODY on Facebook as they count down their 12 tips for Christmas. #takingactiononeatingdisorders
click on each tip below to find out more :-
Information on eating disorders and health promotion is available. Contact AMH everyBODY on 028 3839 2314 for further information.
If you feel in crisis you can call Lifeline on 08088088000 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The city of Derry-Londonderry has been gifted an amazing Christmas tree with a difference – a fully knitted creation from the deft hands of clients at Action Mental Health New Horizons Foyle.
When the pandemic struck and thwarted the usual, busy programme of face-to-face activities at its Springtown Industrial Estate location, enterprising staff got to work to transfer much of the programmes online.
Clients were sent creativity packs, including knitting needles and wool and they swiftly got to work, creating squares that have been fashioned into the handcrafted symbol of Christmas.
The knitters’ abundant creativity, fired by staff’s encouragement while in isolation, has resulted in a unique, hand-knitted Christmas tree – a first for the City – that towers at eight feet tall. Each client contributed, knitting a square for each and every client supported by AMH New Horizons Foyle over the past 28 years.
AMH NH Foyle Service Manager, Pauline Flanagan commented: “Faced with lockdown and no longer able to provide a face-to-face service, the innovative AMH New Horizons Foyle team began to deliberate on how to foster connections between clients and staff, in order to reduce their feelings of isolation, to help them stay well and maintaining their mental health, while staying apart.”
This unique challenge resulted in a comprehensive online training calendar launch, alongside a ‘Stay At Home with Foyle Pack’ delivered to each client, designed to promote creativity.
“Back at the start of the first lockdown, the pack included materials to enable clients to engage in myriad projects together while they were forced to stay apart, such as knitting needles and wool for a future knitted Christmas tree project,” she said
“Now this breath-taking Christmas tree is a symbol of positive mental health and emotional well-being.”
Staff’s vision of keeping connected through creativity stems from evidence supporting the therapeutic power of the arts on those suffering mental ill health. The arts can imbue in people a sense of control, social connection, perspective-taking and increased sense of worth and the appreciation of beauty.
Nicky Grant, Key Skills Coach at New Horizons Foyle, provided key guidance to clients during the novel creative exercise.
“The handcrafted tree is one of the ways clients have used the arts and creativity to cope and flourish during the pandemic. Clients also engaged in twig art, creating unique reindeers, wreaths, gift cards and handmade decorations, which are all on display and for sale.
One of the client knitters, Sandra spoke of her enjoyment in taking part. “The project was a wonderful journey, and helped maintain my mental health.”
Another client, Anne agreed, adding: “We are so proud of our creation; it kept me connected as I live alone in a rural area.”
James, another client, was also very happy to participate. “I knitted! Squares are easy and I was glad to be included.”
Gift cards have been created featuring Action Mental Health’s fundraising friend – the special seasonal sprite, Elfie, who reminds us all to have a mentally Elfie Christmas in 2020 – with the public being asked to support the campaign by buying a card for their nearest and dearest this year.
Clients at AMH New Horizons Foyle take part in the ESF ‘Working It Out’ project which is part-funded by the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020, Department of Economy and Western Health & Social Care Trust.
Action Mental Health’s Elfie Advent Calendar has been filled with fun, entertaining and amusing anecdotes and information to help you wade through Christmas 2020 –a year with a difference.
But this unusual year has also brought a great deal of hardship for people and if you’re coping with the loss of a loved one, the Christmas period can be particularly painful.
Bereavement in ‘normal’ times can feel overwhelming, but with the stark reality of the ongoing pandemic, losing someone to Covid-19 might feel particularly poignant, especially since the game-changing impact of the vaccine. Add isolation to that and you may be facing great heartache this Christmas.
But there are things that can be done to help you negotiate this period – when you may feel like you’re the only one not enjoying the season’s usual festive cheer.
Action Mental Health’s friends at Cruse have provided a very useful guide to help people wade through the festive period, if it’s tainted by bereavement, whether recent or even many years ago.
If you’re facing the prospect of facing an empty chair round the dinner table this Christmas, and unable to glean the comfort of other loved ones who share your loss, visit the Covid Wellbeing NI site where you’ll find Cruse’s helpful list of coping mechanisms.
They also remind us that no one need be alone – they are trained counsellors who can help. Cruse National Helpline can be called on 0808 808 1677, alternatively you can message a trained grief counsellor using our CruseChat service 9am – 9pm Monday – Friday.
We know that facing Christmas alone, or whilst grieving, can be a daunting prospect. This year it is going to be harder than ever. Whether you were bereaved in 2020 or many years before, ongoing Covid restrictions mean it is going to be difficult for many of us to be with the people we would most want to see. The virus is adding an extra layer of anxiety to the planning for so many people. It is going to be more important than ever to try and look after yourself and work out the best ways to cope.
Here are some practical ways to cope with the loss of a loved one over Christmas.
1. Consider different ways of celebrating
One of the things that can help can be to spend some time trying to work out, well in advance, which arrangements will best suit your needs and the needs of others who share your loss. Some bereaved people find that they do not wish to celebrate Christmas at all, whilst some find that simply maintaining their routine and celebrating as normal is the best tribute they can pay their loved one. It may feel important to make a special effort to remember the person who has died. This can be as simple as ‘speaking’ to the person, silently or out loud, or it may involve visiting their grave, or a place that was special to them. These can be things that we do alone, or with friends or family. You may have photos or particular memories which you treasure; sharing these with others may be something that brings you together.
2. Accept that others may have different ways of mourning
We know that people remember and mourn in different ways. Conflict within a family can sometimes arise when we have expectations of how others should grieve, so try to be sensitive to others’ needs, and to talk openly about what will be best for you.
3. Try to maintain a routine
The Christmas period may mean that your normal routine is disrupted, and this can make it easier to forget to look after yourself. Trying to keep to regular patterns of sleeping and eating are small things that can make a difference. Seeing friends or family, or volunteering for the day, can all help.
4. Go easy on the drink
It’s tempting to drink more on festive occasions, and it can feel like a drink might help numb any difficult feelings. But it’s important to remember that using alcohol to escape the pain of loss provides only very temporary relief. If you find you’re relying heavily on drinking alcohol, consider taking some drink free days. You can also find advice from Drink Aware on how to reduce your alcohol consumption.
5. Remember the happy times
Even many years after someone dies Christmas can be a difficult, intensely emotional time when we need to look after ourselves and those around us. But as time passes, special occasions like Christmas can help us remember happy memories of good times shared in the past.
6. Skip the Christmas films
It can be tough when you are bombarded by images of people enjoying happy family times. If it’s getting too much, consider taking a break from the Christmas TV and social media and maybe take a walk or get some fresh air in any way you can.
7. Talk to someone
If you’re struggling to deal with the grieving process over Christmas, you can call the Cruse National Helpline on 0808 808 1677, see here for opening hours. Alternatively you can message a trained grief counsellor using our CruseChat service 9am – 9pm Monday – Friday.
