On Day 23 of our Elfie Advent Calendar we are revisiting a very powerful video created by clients at Action Mental Health a number of years ago that we hope will help people who find the festive season difficult to cope with. Our clients from AMH New Horizons in Ards share the ‘One Thing’ they have found that helps them negotiate the anxieties and depression that hinder their mental health.

From finding comfort in their families and loved ones, to walking outdoors, playing with their dog or using art as an outlet, their experiences will resonate with many – this year especially, when countless others are living with the uncertainty of the pandemic. What is your ‘One Thing?’

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.