On 3rd June 2026, The SES Consortium’s Workable NI Programme held their Annual Big Lunch event in the grounds of City Hall Belfast to mark Supported Employment Awareness Day 2026 by bringing together Partners, employers, participants and supporters to celebrate the impact of specialist Supported Employment Solutions across Northern Ireland.
L-R: Kieran Molloy, Head of Employability Services; Sinead Drummond, SES Service Manager; Communities Minister Gordon Lyons MLA; Caroline Ferguson, Action Mental Health; Shauna Robinson, Department for Communities.
The event highlighted the importance of inclusive employment, personalised support and partnership working in helping people with disabilities and health conditions to remain and progress within employment.
The event also provided an opportunity for employers and participants to share their experiences of supported employment and the positive impact specialist support has had on workplaces and individuals alike.
Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly, Lord Mayor of Belfast, speaking to Mark Young and Joe Rooney from the Department for Communities. Joined by Kieran Molloy (Cedar Foundation) and Caroline Ferguson (Action Mental Health).
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons MLA, whose department funds the Workable NI programme said:
“This event provides an important platform to recognise the strong collaboration between my Department and the voluntary and community sector and, in particular, SES who deliver support to people with disabilities in employment.
It is my ambition to increase the disability employment rate in Northern Ireland. Real change happens when we work together. This is evident through the Workable NI programme and I am grateful for the opportunity today to acknowledge all those involved for their ongoing dedication and contribution to supporting people with disabilities in employment.”
L-R Kieran Molloy, Head of Employability Services, SES Consortium; Communities Minister Gordon Lyons MLA; Caroline Ferguson and Patricia Kelly, Action Mental Health.
Kieran Molloy, Head of Employability Services, SES Consortium added:
“The importance of collaboration and combining specialist expertise to ensure individuals receive the right support at the right time. The annual event reinforces the Consortium’s shared commitment to promoting equality, accessibility and inclusive employment opportunities throughout Northern Ireland.”
Workable NI is funded by Department for Communities.
We are proud to celebrate the achievement of Stuart McIver, who in March 2026 completed the Tokyo Marathon, making him Action Mental Health’s first fundraiser to take part in this event. Stuart, an experienced marathon runner, successfully completed the race while raising an outstanding total of £4783 for our mental health services.
Meet Stuart
Stuart McIver has an impressive track record of races, with 35 marathons now under his belt. But running in Tokyo was a goal he had yet to reach.
Stuart first became involved with Action Mental Health at a corporate volunteering day in our Downpatrick service. Here he had a conversation with our Fundraising team and discovered the opportunities available by running for Action Mental Health.
The Tokyo Marathon Experience
Travelling to Tokyo a few days before the race gave Stuart the chance to make sure he was well-rested and marathon ready. He was also able to explore the city and soak up the atmosphere as Tokyo filled with runners from across the globe.
Temple in Tokyo. Photo credit – Stuart McIver
Having previously run in Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York, Tokyo was the last of the 6 World Marathon Majors for Stuart to take on. Not only did he complete it and earn the prestigious Six Star Medal, Stuart achieved a time of 2:54:53, adding to his collection of sub-3 hour times in every one of the Majors.
Image credit: Stuart McIver
The Impact of Fundraising
Stuart’s physical efforts were matched by an equally impressive fundraising achievement.
Stuart was supported by an incredible community of friends, family, colleagues, and donors including U Hire, Flanagan Flooring, and Killinchy Cycling Club. Thanks to their generosity, he raised an impressive £4783 for Action Mental Health.
The funds raised by Stuart will make a real and lasting difference to local people.
His efforts will help us to continue providing vital frontline mental health support services across Northern Ireland. This includes recovery and employability programmes for adults with mental health issues, counselling to people of all ages, and resilience-building programmes in schools, community settings and workplaces.
Reflecting on his experience, Stuart said:
“Running the Tokyo Marathon was a fantastic experience I’ll never forget. I’m thrilled to have now completed all of the 6 World Majors, and proud to have supported such a worthwhile cause”.
Thank You!
We want to say a huge thank you to Stuart for choosing to support us in such an inspiring way, as well as to everyone who donated for making his fundraising achievement possible.
Run for Mental Health
Training for and completing a marathon requires not just physical endurance, but mental resilience too. There’s a powerful connection between running and mental wellbeing – setting goals, staying motivated, and overcoming challenges.
If you’ve been inspired to run for Action Mental Health, check out our upcoming opportunities below, including Hillsborough 10km or Half Marathon!
As a turning point, celebrating your 40th birthday is one of those key dates when many of us decide to do something different or life-changing. For Belfast-based Mark Rafferty, life-changing and changing lives has taken the form of a cycle challenge many would find daunting.
“I have always wanted to cycle the length of Ireland from Mizen to Malin however, most of the charity rides have historically taken place across 4 or 5 days. These are certainly big physical challenges but they have just never appealed to me, Mark said.
When you can say ‘I cycled the length of Ireland in one day’ and potentially raising 10 pence per mile, this for me at least is a challenge. With two young kids, getting the time to train for this attempt, and the actual time to do the cycle itself, is a challenge in its own right!
Which leads me on to my imminent birthday and a question posed by my wife – “what do you want to do for your 40th birthday?” This question opened up the opportunity to pose this one-day cycling attempt as my 40th birthday want. Over many years my wife has enjoyed many city-breaks to London, Berlin and Dublin, which happened to coincide with a marathon that I had trained for, so 40th birthday ask didn’t really come as that much of a surprise”.
Mark’s interest in cycling stemmed from his childhood growing up in Newcastle, where he and his friends were always out in Donard forest on mountain bikes, working every part-time job they could to get money to buy upgrades and new bikes. After this for a few years when they turned 18, a group would head to France mountain biking every summer.
“I guess bikes have been in my DNA, but it wasn’t until I started my full-time job that I bought my first road bike to commute to and from the office. Shortly after the cycle commutes, I joined the Shimna Wheelers to give group cycling a try and to better understand road cycling. At that stage I was buying my road cycling clothing from the middle aisle in Lidl!”
As time went on Mark’s knowledge and fitness began to build, initially dabbling with triathlon in his late twenty’s, coming from a swimming background, Mark was always one of the fitter runners on the football team. He then decided to try open road racing, quickly realising he was never going to be Bradley Wiggins or Mark Cavendish and so refocused on longer endurance group rides.
“I did continue to participate in the Newry Wheelers racing league until Covid came along. The Newry Wheelers league was and still is a fantastic series weekly across the summer months, with around an hour of good honest racing. Post-Covid I dropped cycling due to reoccurring hamstring injuries and instead focussed on trying to run a specific time in the marathon. It has only really been in the past 6 months that I have had an eye on this challenge having stepped on to the road bike again”.
Continuing,
“My wife Claire is a psychiatrist so this has given me an insight into the provision of mental health services within Northern Ireland. I am all too aware of the budgetary shortcomings and general provision of services from the Government, both locally and nationally.
And as I work in construction, I see the mental health issues within the sector and in particular, men’s mental health and the taboo of taking about it.
The attitude is often ‘keep the chin up, there are brighter days ahead’ when really people should be sitting down and talking it through. And if you look at men’s mental health in the broader context within Northern Ireland the figures and statistics are alarming.
Action Mental Health support for men’s mental health is offered through the services such as Action Mental Health’s Recovery & Employability alongside their counselling provision. Above all, I think it’s important to have a safe space where men can sit down and have a coffee and a chat. I often think of what my uncle said when he worked as a firefighter and post-traumatic incident how the crew would all go get breakfast or a coffee and sit down together, close the door and chat it through until everyone was ok with what had happened.
I feel it is disappointing that adequate funding isn’t there to better support mental health and that charities have to fill that gap. That’s why it’s so important to support Action Mental Health who are doing fantastic work at supporting mental health well-being in Northern Ireland and providing services supporting the community and ultimately, stopping people from reaching crisis point”.
Family and friends are supporting me along the way with planned stops; a 30-minute break at the Athlone campus of the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) where a gazebo for friends, family and supporters will be set up.
Mark has also reached out to other venues in Limerick and Enniskillen asking for the use of their carparks to refuel and is currently awaiting responses.
Across the route, ably supported by his family in a car travelling behind during hours of low light, for safety purposes and for mechanicals and water top-up, Mark has also had offers from friends who will join along the route to cycle a few miles with him. This is also open to anyone else who would like to come out and help support in whatever way they can.
When asked what plans he has after this challenge, Mark said,
“It is in my nature to always want more, or to go that bit further, and when one event finishes, I always have my eye on the next target and challenge! I would like to return to long distance triathlon, as I have some unfinished business there, and in the immediate
future, I will return to marathons to try close out a specific time I have been chasing since 2017!
The last word on the one-day cycle Mark has been revisiting his final fundraising and challenge targets. “The goal is fluid as the cycle challenge on the longest day in June fromsunrise to sunset is around the 19-hour mark, however that will be a big ask and I would need the training to go as planned and the weather conditions on the day to be favourable. I do think 20-22 hours is a more realistic time for completing the challenge. I had initially set a rough target of raising £10 per mile or £3,600 in total”.
The ‘888 Challenge’ looms large for seasoned Northern Ireland runner Eugene (Oggie) Winters, as he pursues his 888th marathon challenge at this year’s 2026 Phoenix Energy Belfast City Marathon on Sunday 3 May.
The dedicated endurance runner named the Unsung Hero at the 2025 Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards, is once again proving that age is only a number and that the numbers that really matter are the number of unrun marathons yet to come.
As the Portstewart-based runner who originally hails from the townland of Brantry, Co. Tyrone approaches his 69th birthday on 3 May, he is aligning the celebrations with yet another endurance challenge, planning to donate £888 to Action Mental Health on completion of the Belfast Marathon on the same day; a pound for every marathon pounded to date!
In the past, Eugene’s challenges for Action Mental Health have included the completion of 300 official marathons in 300 weeks. Three years later, this would become 600 marathons and last year’s Belfast event increased this figure to 800 marathons. This year Eugene has set his sights on the 2026 Phoenix Energy Belfast City Marathon to reach his 888th marathon, matching this with a donation of £888 to Action Mental Health.
The remarkable athlete who started running at the age of 55, finishing the 2012 Belfast Marathon, has also completed all the World Majors – London, Boston, New York, Chicago, Berlin and Tokyo marathons, completing his 7th major in Sydney August 2025. Highlights include back-to-back 100 marathons per year in 2017 and 2018. He ran 10 marathons in 10 days finishing on 16 March 2026, the fourth time for such a challenge, and has completed many back-2-back marathons, treble and quads which entails running 2, 3 and 4 days in a row. To boost his total and reach the 888 goal Eugene has just completed another 7 marathons in 7 days in England at the beginning of April and a week before the Belfast Marathon he finished the London city marathon on the 26 April.
On three occasions he has completed 100-miler endurance races within 24 hours. One of these he finished in a time of 21:40:40 at the age of 60 at Victoria Park, Belfast. He has also completed many other smaller ultras.
Eugene said,
“Running is good for the mind, soul and body and you always meet so many like-minded people out there doing what they love best, be it Parkruns, 5k’s, half marathons, marathons or Ultras. We are all different in what we do in the running game, in the distance or pace. But the most important thing is getting out and doing it.”
Eugene continued,
“Marathons are always very tough going at times as my ambition is to do a 300 sub-4 Marathon challenge out of my total of marathons over this next couple of years which adds to the difficulty level. I find I must rely on my own mental strength and toughness to get me through, and I find that when I do it for charity that this also helps me. I hope that my efforts will maybe inspire other people to go out and do something active, as I firmly believe exercising and keeping active can help not just our physical health but our mental health too. I thought what better way to celebrate than to donate some money to Action Mental Health, to help support the vital work they do across Northern Ireland, dedicating a forthcoming 900th official marathon in the months to come for Pretty in pink.”
A member of two elite marathon clubs; 100 Marathon Club UK and Marathon Club Ireland which all his official marathons are verified through, Eugene is happy to be raising funds for Action Mental Health once again.
Jonathan Smyth, Head of Communications & Fundraising, Action Mental Health said: “Eugene has supported Action Mental Health for many years, directly supporting our services through amazing challenges. Eugene has pledged to donate £888 to support our vital mental health services, on completion of this year’s Belfast Marathon. We know that running and all physical activity is a great way of supporting your mental health, so we are particularly delighted to be the beneficiary of this amazing challenge and wish Eugene well.”
This exciting event in a unique location has something for the whole family with both a 10k (15yrs and up), and a half marathon (17yrs and up) event to choose from.
These races will start within the beautiful grounds of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, before heading out onto the surrounding forest areas of Hillsborough and taking in historic attractions in the local area such as Hillsborough Fort and Hillsborough Lake, the half marathon & 10k will then head out on to Ballynahinch road before re-joining the Castle grounds to finish in the event village. Each mile is accurately marked out with distance flags and we have plenty of helpers to keep you on track and to encourage you on your way to the finish.
So join us and to make a positive difference to mental health in Northern Ireland!
When you fundraise with us you’ll receive:
an event bespoke Action Mental Health running vest
support from our dedicated fundraising team every step of the way
the loudest cheer squad with branded cheer flags and bang bang sticks available for your family and friends on the day
….a BIG thank you once your fundraising journey is over!
Would you like to Volunteer at Hillsborough Running Festival?
We’re looking for individuals, friends, family members to volunteer at Hillsborough Running Festival on Sunday 26th July 2026 on behalf of Action Mental Health. As part of our role as lead charity for the Hillsborough Running Festival on Sunday 26th July 2026, we want to provide volunteers to support the smooth running of the event.
Each volunteer will receive all necessary training, hi-vis clothing if required and refreshments from RunThrough and an Action Mental Health T-shirt from us as a small thank you.
Eating Disorders Awareness Week reminds us that no one should have to face an eating disorder alone.
This year, EDAW runs from 23 February – 1 March, focusing on the theme of community. That is, the relationships, support networks, and small acts of connection that can make a meaningful difference in someone’s recovery journey.
Understanding Eating Disorders
An estimated 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder1. Millions more family members, friends and wider support networks are also impacted.
An eating disorder is a complex mental health condition which essentially involves someone using food as an emotional tool.
People with an eating disorder control food and their body as a way of relieving distress or managing their emotions, while achieving some degree of control over their life. Their eating disorder subsequently provides them with a sense of safety.
Eating Disorders are not a choice or a phase, but rather complex coping mechanisms. They can affect anyone of any age, gender, shape or size, or background. But due to the stigma around eating disorders, it can be difficult for some people to seek help.
Why Community Matters in Recovery
1. Community Reduces Isolation
Eating disorders often lead people to withdraw, avoid social situations, or hide their struggles out of shame or fear of being judged. Isolation is one of the symptoms families may notice first, as loved ones may become quieter, less engaged, or pull away from hobbies and connections they once enjoyed.
Having someone who listens without judgement, validates emotions, and gently encourages professional support can be life‑changing for someone living with an eating disorder.
2. Community Encourages Early Support-Seeking
Beginning a conversation can feel daunting, but talking openly helps to reduce the stigma around eating disorders.
Early intervention gives people the greatest chance of full recovery. So, the more we raise awareness of eating disorders as a community, the more normalised it becomes to reach out for support.
3. Community Helps Loved Ones Support Each Other
Recovery affects the whole family. Carers often want to help but may feel unsure about what to do or how to approach difficult moments. So, building an informed and understanding community, where family and friends are also supported, means their loved one benefits too.
Our Eating Disorders Support service works across the Southern Health and Social Care Trust area to provide specialist support for adults aged 18+ and carers of anyone affected by eating disorders.
Our approach is rooted in recovery through partnership. This means we work closely with the person, their family and the SHSCT Eating Disorder Team to ensure more comprehensive, personalised support towards recovery.
When someone seeks help, we’re there from the beginning to bridge the gap from seeking treatment and receiving it. We remain with the client and their family, until they access treatment via the SHSCT Eating Disorder Team, and offer support when the time comes for discharge.
Additionally, we offer support at a community level for those who don’t avail of a service from the SHSCT Eating Disorder Team.
We also deliver workshops to healthcare professionals, schools and community groups to raise awareness of eating disorders and signpost to support services.
Deborah and Lorraine from Action Mental Health with Shauna Duggan from the SHSCT’s Eating Disorder Team.
What our clients say
“You don’t have to do it all on your own, when you get support you’ll learn how to cope in a better way and it will open all sorts of doors in life you never thought were possible. Recovery is worth it.”
Client supported by our service
“Remember to be kind to yourself too. Eating Disorders affect the whole family. You should all be proud of yourselves for all you do to help your child.”
Carer who attends our monthly carers support group
How You Can Help Create a Supportive Community
You don’t have to be an expert to make a difference. Here are simple ways to support someone:
1. Listen without judgement
Let them express their feelings at their own pace. Reassuring them that their feelings are valid goes a long way.
2. Avoid food‑ and body‑focused conversations
Instead, focus on qualities, strengths, and shared experiences that reinforce self‑worth beyond appearance.
3. Use gentle, supportive language
Supportive phrases like “I’m here for you”, “You deserve support”, and “This doesn’t define who you are” can help counter shame and fear.
4. Encourage small acts of self‑care
Things like journalling and grounding techniques can be powerful tools during difficult days.
If you’re supporting someone, your wellbeing matters too. Caring for yourself helps you offer steadier, calmer support.
If You’re Struggling, You Deserve Support
If you’re worried about your relationship with food, your body, or exercise, or you’re concerned about someone you love, help is available.
You don’t have to wait until things feel “bad enough” to deserve support. Your feelings are always valid, and reaching out as early as possible is a really positive step.
Here are some places you can find support for yourself or a loved one:
Your GP – a doctor can connect you with the right support services for your needs. If you are a parent or carer and are concerned about a child with an eating disorder, your GP can offer support and make a referral to CAMHS if appropriate.
Action Mental Health – if you are over 18 and live in the Southern HSC Trust area, you can self-refer to our Eating Disorders Support service by emailing [email protected] or calling (028) 3839 2314 or 07790 885 438. We also support parents and carers of children living with an eating disorder.
Beat– find information and support resources or contact the helpline via phone, email, or webchat.
The Laurence Trust – support for men and their families living with eating disorders.
Fight ED – support for families and carers who have a loved one with an eating disorder.
If you are in crisis:
Call Lifeline for free on 0808 808 8000 – trained counsellors are available 24/7.
Call Samaritans for free on 116 123 – support is available 24/7.
Recovery from an eating disorder is possible. This Eating Disorders Awareness Week, we’re encouraging everyone to help build a compassionate and understanding community for those affected by eating disorders.
Maria began her journey with Action Mental Health Foyle in January 2025, enrolling on the SkillSET programme with a clear ambition — to open her own skin care business. As a lone parent, she carefully prioritised her time, starting with the induction programme, where she was supported to develop a personalised training plan outlining the practical steps to turn her aspiration into reality.
Starting out with SkillSET
From the outset, Maria immersed herself in both accredited and non-accredited pre-employment training to understand employer and customer expectations, develop professional standards, and strengthen her workplace skills.
She successfully achieved her OCN Level 2 in Principles of Customer Care, completed a six-week Career Preparation course, and undertook the eight-week Biz Basics programme. Each stage of her learning was underpinned by mental health awareness training to ensure her wellbeing remained supported throughout her journey.
Becoming an entrepreneur
On 6th July, Maria proudly launched her skin care business, Ethereal Bliss, during an Action Mental Health business start-up event held in the ‘Garden of Reflection’ in L’Derry. Alongside five other clients, she embarked on her path to entrepreneurship.
New successes
With the continued guidance of her Key Worker, Allison, Maria applied for and secured additional support to grow her business. Her determination paid off when she was selected for the prestigious AIB–TU Dublin Self-Employment Course for Persons with Disabilities — outshining 40 applicants to secure one of just 20 places, each valued at €1,250.
This fully sponsored programme covers her TU Dublin course fees and provides access to essential business development tools, including a license for specialist online software to create her business plan. She will also benefit from a dedicated Business Mentor and support from the Open Doors Initiative, offering further opportunities to expand her enterprise.
Reflecting on her experience, Maria shared:
“I cannot stress enough the numerous benefits in engaging with Action Mental Health SkillSet project for enhancing employability and career prospects for people with mental ill-health. The SkillSET programme provided me with opportunities for personal and social development, built my confidence, and improved essential workplace skills. I’ve gained relevant qualifications, valuable experience, and the support needed to progress towards my entrepreneurial dream.”
From April 2026, Northern Ireland faces a severe and unnecessary funding cliff edge for voluntary and community sector-led services – including programmes like SkillSET. Please help us protect those most in need of our support.
Delivered across Northern Ireland by Action Mental Health, the SkillSET programme is for adults not currently in employment who are experiencing anxiety, stress, or mental ill-health. SkillSET helps individuals to shape their future by building confidence and developing new skills.
Illya, a client in our Belfast service, explains how the support he received changed his life for the better:
Life before SkillSET
My name is Illya, I’m a Ukrainian refugee living in Belfast, Northern Ireland. For almost 2 years I had been struggling to find employment as my disability limits my options. Unfortunately, my work coach wasn’t of a great help either.
My mental health was suffering as well, I felt stressed out over the war, was lonely and depressed. Despite all this I tried my best to find a suitable employment but it felt that every effort I made was fruitless.
I sent dozens of applications each week, filled in countless forms, visited job fairs and spoke to employers there – but barely ever heard a reply. I knew my past work experience in Ukraine was not ideal: I had many different jobs in various sectors, my employment story didn’t really reflect my skills, my CV wasn’t great.
As this wasn’t really working, I found employment as a pizza delivery driver. I knew I couldn’t hold this position for long as my health condition deteriorated. I worked there for 6 months, working hard: 6 days a week, long hours, well into the night. But I had to quit as my health took a toll.
Making progress
I started looking for possible courses, that could open doors for me. I applied for ICDL course as well as Employability course with Action Mental Health and it changed everything! As I received the ICDL certificate, I believe employers were more open to the idea of considering my application.
Then Sonia at Action Mental Health helped me with my CV and I’m convinced: whatever magic she did worked straight away! I started getting feedback from employers, though not immediately positive, but still – a result! I also went to a couple of interviews which were organised through Action Mental Health.
And then I applied for a marketing position with an accounting company called Baxterworld and I could tell – they were ready to hire me after just seeing my CV! They invited me for an interview more as a formality I think – and hired me the same day. It was exciting!
A new opportunity
It was a big change in my routine, having to wake up early, go to work, learn to do new things at work, put my already existing skills to a good use. But the confidence I’ve built up thanks to support of Action Mental Health’s programme allowed me to successfully adjust, start and more importantly continue my employment. The support I received has been crucial in that.
Additionally, my new boss, Mr. Ray Baxter and the whole team at Baxterworld were equally supportive and kind. The adjustment of getting back into employment went smooth and much easier than I expected.
I’ve also met so many wonderful people at Action Mental Health! Sonia, Suzan, Nicola, Johnny, Mathew, Jenny and others I unfortunately don’t remember the names of (sorry!). As well as all the visitors to Action Mental Health. They’re all welcoming, supportive, non-judgmental, compassionate and kind people. I’m convinced they gave me confidence to keep trying, to keep applying and eventually finding an amazing company that hired me.
I’m happy to work as a trainee marketing assistant now. I feel much happier now, more confident, successful, fulfilled.
I asked my boss for permission to mention the name of the company and he kindly offered to add his feedback of my work (embarrassing!). Here’s what he had to say:
“We had the opportunity to employ Illya as a Trainee Marketing Assistant through the JobStart scheme, and he has been with us since early November. We are very pleased with his work. He has used his initiative to find ways to promote our business and attract new clients. As someone whose first language was Russian, we were surprised and delighted that his English is as good as any local speaker.”
Ray Baxter Director, Baxterworld Ltd, Chartered Management Accountants
I’m very happy to work with an amazing and supportive team of Baxterworld. It’s been a very long time since I had a job I enjoyed and looked forward to.
I’m very fortunate to have found Action Mental Health and I wish I had done it sooner! They’re instrumental in changing people’s lives for the better!
From April 2026, Northern Ireland faces a severe and unnecessary funding cliff edge for voluntary and community sector-led services – including programmes like SkillSET. Please help us protect those most in need of our support.
