Students on Belfast Met’s Childcare Level 2, Playwork CACHE and the Foundation Degree courses have been getting an insight into mental health and well-being through Action Mental Health’s Mindset programme.

AMH’s Mindset programme is a mental and emotional health and well-being awareness programme for young people aged 14-17 years and adults funded by the Public Health Agency. Its programmes are delivered to youth and community settings by AMH MensSana Project Workers.

The students were so impressed with the programme they decided to raise funds for Action Mental Health by hosting a Halloween fancy dress party – raising an impressive £556.56. Tutor Sakina Brennan, pictured with some of the spooky students, paid tribute to MensSana project worker Hannah for organising the programmes and supporting their fundraising. They also produced a great video, encapsulating their Mindset experience which you can view below:

With an impressive quarter century at Action Mental Health in Derry/Londonderry behind him, Service Manager, at AMH New Horizons Foyle, Mickie Harkin was among the staff recently rewarded for their commitment to the charity.

Mr Harkin began with Action Mental Health – then called the Industrial Therapy Organisation – 25 years ago as a Woodwork Instructor. He was promoted to acting Deputy Manager on October 19 1998, until March 31 a year later. He was appointed as official Deputy Manager on June 8, 2000 before his promotion to Service Manager on February 10, 2003.

Three other members of staff, Communications Manager Tricia Browne, and Service Managers Colin Loughran and Pauline Flanagan were also recognised for their service, each clocking up 15 years with Action Mental Health.

Action Mental Health Chief Executive David Babington commented: “As an organisation we are very fortunate to have a talented and highly committed team and this commitment is clearly demonstrated by these long-serving employees.

“This dedication and loyalty is seen across the organisation and it is vital to providing services to our clients and the wider community in Northern Ireland.

“We would also like to pay particular tribute to Mickie Harkin, who, after 25 years in various posts at New Horizons Foyle, is retiring from the organisation. I want to thank Mickie for his unwavering commitment and energetic approach to his pivotal role at Foyle and we wish him every success and happiness in his next chapter.”

“A passionate and committed man with unstinting enthusiasm for his clients,” is how some colleagues described Mickie, who bids farewell to the charity on 31^st October.

“A Derry man through and through,” is the affectionate description of some other staff members who have worked with him over the years.

Just this summer, the Foyle service where he spent a quarter of a century working for people with mental ill-health, passed the same silver anniversary milestone that Mickie has under his belt.

It’s been an eventful tenure at Foyle, for Mickie, who has witnessed many changes, the great and the good pass through his doors, but more importantly, he has been part of a team which have helped people with mental health issues reclaim their lives and acquire new hope.

One of Northern Ireland’s most popular chefs, Stephen Jeffers, has been unveiling the tricks of the culinary trade to future chefs at Action Mental Health.

Proprietor of the Forestside Cookery School, chef Jeffers visited with clients working toward their NVQ Levels 1 and 2 in Professional Cookery in New Horizons North Down and Ards.

Stephen hosted a masterclass in preparing a “fakeaway” type meal – sharing his flair for replicating a takeaway, for clients and staff alike keen to try it at home in their own kitchens.

The chef spent time talking to clients about working in the catering industry and gave them hints and tips for preparing healthy meals at home. His trademark wit and sense of fun made the day very enjoyable and he also encouraged clients to keep learning and enhancing their skills while still having a great time in the kitchen.

Emma Jayne Begley, Employment Officer at AMH said everyone was so grateful to Stephen for taking time out of his very busy schedule to give of his time and effort freely.

“It was it was a great opportunity to learn from an industry expert and the team was motivated and inspired to complete their training and progress further. Action Mental Health, New Horizons provide training opportunities for adults with mental ill-health who wish to return to employment, volunteering or further education. Stephen was able to make the event fun and engaging and we look forward to welcoming him back to New Horizons.”

The project the clients take part in is part-funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020 and the Department for the Economy

Stephen said he was more than happy to offer a few tricks of the trade to AMH clients.

“It was a great morning seeing the people, training to enter the industry, producing what they did. There were a lot of smiles and everyone really seemed to enjoy themselves and I was delighted to offer my experience to help them along their journey.

The former restaurateur, who owned the popular and award-winning Jeffers by the Marina, in Bangor added: “I think we are all vulnerable to periods of mental ill-health, as I was myself a few years back so I’m very happy to support a local charity like Action Mental Health.”

Two brothers have taken an emotional journey to raise funds for charities, including Action Mental Health, in memory of their late sisters.

The pair, Alan and Philip Shaw, originally from Dunloy, County Antrim, lost their sister Heather Shaw almost six years ago, late of Ballymena, and it is in her memory that Alan was fundraising for AMH, raising £1643.75, by tackling Britain’s highest peak Ben Nevis.

His brother Philip joined the poignant journey, also fundraising in memory of their sister, Yvonne Courtney, who they lost to cancer, the beneficiary being another local charity, Cancer Focus.

Alan said of the trek, in relation to Heather:  “Along with my brother Philip, we’ve decided to raise some money and awareness of an illness that affects so many people, yet is something  we find so hard to come to terms with. Heather loved to walk, so the challenge of going up Ben Nevis would have been something she would really have enjoyed.

“The climb was completed along with my brother Philip Shaw who was collecting for our other sister Yvonne Courtney, who died earlier this year from cancer.”

Alan, who now hails from Glasgow, said he and Philip made it to the peak of Ben Nevis in four hours and an arduous two and a half hour trek back down again – cold and sore

“But it was all worth it,” he said, “When I think of all the support and donations we’ve had. Some of the views were stunning and I know Heather and Yvonne would have enjoyed the day if they’d been with us.”

Action Mental Health has teamed up with fashion emporium Pia Rossini to launch a new bag to help promote better mental health.

The canvas shopper, bearing the slogan ‘This is who I am’ reflects the brand’s dedication to creating fashion pieces that celebrate individuality. But the campaign acknowledges that when you’re feeling low, it’s more difficult to embrace this.

Pia Rossini states: “We realise that for some people, it isn’t always easy to shout about who they are. Many people struggle with mental health daily. We are proud to have teamed up with Action Mental Health to support their work with children and young people in promoting positive mental health and emotional well-being for our future generations.”

“By purchasing this product, you are helping us make a small difference on a massive scale, as we commit to donating 100% of all profits made from this product to Action Mental Health. Your money will be used to support Action Mental Health’s work with children and young people, promoting positive mental health and emotional well-being to our future generations.

“Keep up to date with our campaign across all our social media platforms and help to share the message by tagging #thisiswhoiam in your photos.”

Fundraising and Communications Manager Jonathan Smyth said: “We are delighted to be the recipients of the proceeds of the Pia Rossini “This is who I am” bag. This type of partnership is something we are always very grateful to be a part of.”

To purchase the bag and at the same time support Action Mental Health follow the link https://www.piarossini.com/mental-health-awareness