As part of our weekly mental health peer support a local artist facilitates a art group.
You dont have to be brilliant at art just join in, we promise with guidance from Oly you will be surprised at your finished work.
We are intending to start small peer support groups for ages 16 – 30. They will be split up possibly 16 – 18 / 20 and 18 / 20 to 30.
The groups will be kept small so its easier and more comfortable to talk. So if you feel lonely, feel you no-one to talke to. Issues with relationships, ie a partner, friends, family. School / college or work a problem.
All of these and more can impact your mental health and can lead to suicidal thoughts, but not necessarily. It can be better by talking and we can be there to listen.
Let us know if you would like to attend.
Do you want an opportunity to offload. Have you felt very low. Do you live alone? Relationship issues family / friends. Come to experience life through the eyes of others to appreciate you are not alone.
This is not a drop in, please book in by contacting us, we would love to see you.
Are you on your own, lonely, felt very low you dont know where to turn. Missing family or friends or just interested in the company of others to talk to and offload.
This is not a drop in, please book in by contacting us, we would love to see you.
We are thinking of having small groups, as above, but with male, female, LGBTQ.
Just a place you can offload. It maybe a divorce, lost a job, recently moved to the area, family / friend issues, house in a mess and dont know where to start, all of these can have an impact on your mental health.
Let us know if you would be interested.
A creative gathering for everyone affected by suicide.
The session was facilitated by local artist Oliver Bliss.
On October 9th, 2024, we held an event where we set up ultra violet lights and cloths on the table, where everyone drew with highlighter pens and produced some terrific designs.
This was a chance to meet others who understand and care. We supported
one another, and found solace through shared stories and creative
expression.
We had people who are bereaved by suicide, and people with poor mental health. Attendees feedback with comments such as “It was such a relaxing, therapeutic evening.” “It had a lovely atmosphere – very gently and welcoming.”
This was funded by Worcestershire County Council.
Some photos of the night are opposite.
We had a short talk and read poetry, walking while reading at various stops, ending back at Sabrina Bridge, we also read out names as we gathered to remember, with a final reflection and final poem before going on our way.
It was a dark drizzly night but that was also a reflection on the mood. It was a night of peaceful remembrance and thoughtful experience.
On Saturday 9th September 2023, we held an event of a candle lite walk from Sabrina Bridge in Worcester to the main Worcester Bridge.
We had at least 27 people join us for a candle lite walk, with poetry along the way. We were very moved by the turn out and the poetry was all very emotional and encouraging in their own way.
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Monday 3rd July was NATIONAL BEREAVED PARENTS DAY, the theme was “You’re not alone”.
One of our founders Gaynor Pritchard said “I certainly wasn’t alone, as I carried the Baton Of Hope UK in memory of our son Zac, I met up with other people who had been bereaved by suicide, I had my husband and supportive friends with me along the way.
The Baton Of Hope UK is designed to be the biggest suicide awareness and prevention initiative the UK has ever seen, opening up necessary conversations and prompting appropriate actions.
It was an honour to be carrying the Baton in memory of Zac, to raise awareness of the number of suicides there are in the UK, as the numbers are not going down. I was so proud to be part of this initiative, it was such an emotional experience, carrying a picture of Zac on my top, as it flapped in the wind it was a reminder of why I was there, with him walking beside me.
There is so much despair, sadness, depression, loneliness, debt, along with specific mental illness, that can cause such distress we can lose HOPE; we need more support for people.
Let’s send HOPE that changes can be made with access to services more accessible and not a postcode lottery. In most cases such as mental health there still isn’t much support for anyone, almost 5 years after Zac died and before.
Can you help us in suicide prevention and postvention? We cant do this alone…..
Maybe you could volunteer for us?
Find out more about Baton of Hope click here
