Mr Mowbray, who was known as Robin, died unexpectedly in hospital on May 25. He leaves behind wife Denise, children Craig, Stewart, Bruce and Jilly, and six grandchildren.
Mr Mowbray, late of Millfort Green in Banbridge, joined the board of AMH as a Director in 2006 and served as Vice-Chair and a member of the Finance and General Purposes Committee.
In business he had been in partnership with an HR consultancy firm and previously an HR Director of major UK drinks firm, Bass Ireland.
Robert will be sorely missed by all of us at Action Mental Health. We are grateful for his support and friendship over the years and send our love and condolences to his family and friends.
AMH New Life Counselling is indebted to a highly skilled and generous bank of volunteers who provide vital counselling to people from all walks of life in Northern Ireland.
With an average of approximately 16 volunteers annually helping people in need of the counselling service, these roles are filled by a diverse range of people, ably assisted by students in training in relevant fields at Northern Ireland’s universities and colleges.
AMH New Life Counselling Assistant Team Leader, Gail Calwell, who oversees and supports the volunteers explained the volunteers’ vital roles: “Many of our volunteers are fully trained counsellors who could work in any professional counselling service. But while they have many different day jobs, from nurses, teachers and those who work for other counselling or addiction services – they give up their own, personal time to counsel people for Action Mental Health.
“Our volunteer team also includes students working towards their counselling or therapeutic qualification and whom welcome the support that AMH New Life Counselling offers in the way of building upon client experience and skills. We value our students greatly and the enthusiasm and keenness to learn that they bring to the organisation. The volunteers support anywhere from 1 client per week to 4 clients per week.
“They are a vital resource to us, helping us to deliver counselling within the community” she added.
May is routinely the month in which AMH New Life Counselling recruits its volunteers but with the coronavirus pandemic that annual campaign has had to be put on hold this year.
Volunteer Mary Rooney said: “Volunteering gives me the opportunity to continually expand my knowledge, skills and experience and along the journey I have the satisfaction of supporting people to lean towards good mental health by better understanding their life experiences and the impact it has had on how they relate to others.”
Fellow volunteer, Carole Chambers added:”It’s great to be part of a very supportive organisation and to help my clients progress and improve the quality of their lives.”
“I volunteer because of the flexibility and freedom with regards to how I can support clients. It allows me to work more long term and to see the benefits this way of working can bring. I also love being part of the volunteering community within AMH New Life Counselling,” said Hollie McAllister, another volunteer.
AMH New Life Counselling Volunteers, (from left) Mary Rooney, Carol Chambers and Hollie McAllister
Gardening has been the saving grace of many people during the lockdown, with the benefits to people’s mental health being well-charted at the moment.
At AMH Promote, our green-fingered hero Andy Meaney has for two years been volunteering his time in the garden, ensuring clients reap the rewards of witnessing tiny seeds take root and prosper, alongside their own progress and development.
Since starting at the Bangor-based Service, Andy has been part of the production of vegetables grown in our raised beds that are destined for the popular Soup Club.
Alongside all varieties of vegetables, from beetroot, garlic, onions, sweetcorn, potatoes, carrots, parsley, peas and herbs, to fruit, including tomatoes, strawberries and raspberries, AMH Promote clients get hands-on experience in soup-making, and also utilise them for a variety of healthy eating courses.
AMH Promote Service Manager, Naoibh Adams commented: “Andy works every other Friday morning and always has plenty to keep him occupied! During the lockdown Andy has continued to water and tend to the vegetables so they’ll be nice and healthy for our eventual return to our Service.”
“I find the work at Promote very rewarding although I rarely get to taste the end products!” Andy quipped.
Away from the garden Andy enjoys camping, fishing – always returning the fish to the water – walking and all sports. He is a fan of Manchester United and an avid music lover. He currently lives in Newtownards with his wife and two children.
Some of the planting beds that Andy helps to keep in tip top touch condition at AMH Promote
Ken Webster (right) with one of the clients at AMH Promote
The reasons for volunteering are manifold. Volunteering provides vital help to people and groups in need, worthwhile causes and your community.
But the benefits don’t stop there and during national Volunteers’ Week 2020 we at Action Mental Health are taking the opportunity to show how volunteering can actually improve your own mental health and well-being.
Studies have shown that volunteering is beneficial at combatting stress, depression and anxiety. It can also help to keep you mentally stimulated, improve your self-confidence and provide you with a sense of purpose.
By volunteering at Action Mental Health, you will meet like-minded people who are passionate about making a positive difference to people’s mental health and well-being.
It’s an excellent opportunity to boost your career prospects by enhancing your CV or UCAS application and help you stand out from the crowd. It could even help older school children, those in sixth form and colleges, give them up a step up on life skills achievements like the Duke of Edinburgh award, for example.
Volunteering helps boost your own well-being. According to the Public Health Agency the act of giving is one of five evidence-based steps – and one of the Five Ways to Well-Being – that we can take to improve our mental well-being. Giving to others stimulates the reward areas in the brain, creating positive feelings. Read for yourself how it can benefit you: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/give-for-mental-wellbeing/
It will help teach your children about the impact of giving back to the community. Children watch everything you do, so, by following your example, it will give them first-hand experience of the benefits of volunteering, both to those on the receiving end, and to themselves. Volunteering also provides people with an opportunity to gain valuable new skills, knowledge and experience – such as communication, problem solving and teamwork.
A volunteer with culinary flair who is sorely missed
This year Action Mental Health Promote said a very fond farewell to Ken Webster who had been a volunteer since 2009. Ken’s connection with Promote began though his son Alan, who still attends the Service, when he worked as an employed bus driver in 2007 following his retirement from the Army.
He then left and returned in 2009 to volunteer, starting with odd jobs and gardening but progressing the following year to work in the kitchen. Ken volunteered for two days a week, helping to provide daily lunches for the clients.
Bidding farewell to the service, Ken commented: “I enjoyed all aspects of my work at Promote but especially the relationships with the clients who have become part of my life – seeing them grow older and move on during my tenure.”
Service Manager for Promote, Naoibh Adams said Ken was much appreciated in the kitchen.
“Ken became part of Promote’s ‘dreamteam’, baking and preparing for the monthly coffee mornings. Ken was a key part of this and dropped down to Promote, to volunteer solely for the coffee mornings in later years.
“Whilst gathering information from Ken, he pointed out that his son Alan was keen for his father’s shortbread to get a mention as well – we all loved it. Ken finally hung up his apron for the last time after our last coffee morning last November and is sorely missed by all. He hasn’t disappeared completely however, as he collects Alan daily and is also our unofficial handy man when required!”
A popular member of the kitchen team, Ken (back left) is pictured with some of the gang from AMH Promote
Nikki (right) with some of the clients at AMH Promote
Every year charities like Action Mental Health rely on the support of their loyal band of volunteers who go that extra mile to help other people and support their local community.
This year, as the effects of the global pandemic continue, life is very different and unfortunately many regular volunteering activities can’t happen due to social distancing restrictions.
But as National Volunteering Week 2020 begins today, we still want to say a very big thank you to all those lovely people of all ages who have generously volunteered their time and efforts to help support our work and also help us raise vital funds for our vital services over the last year.
Vital Support
Nikki Middlesworth began her voluntary work with Promote – or Promote Action as it was called in April 2000 – so we are delighted that this is her twentieth year with us! Nikki had a car accident which left her paralysed from the chest down, and a year later she undertook a programme called the Vote Project, which led to a three month voluntary placement with Promote Action – and the rest is history.
Prior to her accident Nikki had worked for Praxis, with people reintegrating to the community after staying in Muckamore Abbey Hospital for people with learning disabilities and mental ill health. Her placement in Promote in 2000 reignited her love of working with Adults with Learning Disabilities and she found a purpose again.
When Nikki started she volunteered in Promote’s original building in Ballyholme when the centre was very different, although some of the clients then are still in the current Service. Nikki said the move to the new purpose built building – at Conlig – was like breath of fresh air, as it was spacious, wheelchair accessible and fit for purpose. Nikki reflected that the current service is much more person-centred and that clients views are considered, which would not have been the norm 20 years ago. What hasn’t change for Nikki is the love of the work.
Nikki, far left, with Promote clients in Bangor where she’s been volunteering for 20 years
Nikki said: “I get so much from being part of the Promote ‘family’. It is truly the only place where everyone is equal, and there is no discrimination. I also really enjoy seeing the clients develop.”
Service Manager Naiobh Adams added: “Nikki is a vital help, supporting activities within the Service from art to computers, to her key role supporting Promote’s annual Pantomine. We wish to thank Nikki for her contribution and hope she remains with us as long as possible!”
We hear from another one of our clients from the Workable programme, who has been receiving support since July 2019.
Here they tell us how life has changed, but how the support they receive from Action Mental Health through the Workable programme is so vital.
From my usual 5-day routine in an office, to now 1 day in the office and 4 at home, this has really messed me up! I loved the routine. Fortunately Robert from AMH Workable is still there. He has even got Zoom and Google Meet going just to keep tabs 😊
My confidence is through the floor since Mr Corona came to town, although I can still get by on with my role, at the minute I have no interest in exceeding or expanding my knowledge. I miss the office routine, the guys I work with are all on the same page, so banter is a rife! That’s gone now, at home there’s only barking dogs!
The job is ticking over, most resources are there, but the physical aspect of just grabbing something to sort is gone, which is another blow to the confidence.
With no routine, I sometimes walk about feeling “lost”, just watching TV or sittin on reddit just to keep my mind occupied. I still have showers, get ready every day for work on time, dinnertime and bedtime still exist, but not going out for a rake in the motor sucks! Restrictions ruined that fun.
But my AMH Employment Support Officer, Robert, is always there. Every time I engage with him I’ll get a response, plus he’ll proactively launch a Zoom/Google Meet meeting to catchup. Work never question it which is nice too.
He’s always just a phone call, text or e-mail away. It’s amazing having someone there to “take the edge off”, he knows me and what grinds my gears. Even without face to face comms Robert is still able to help make me see sense. Plus the work he’s done in the background (I’ve little knowledge of the magic 😊), but he’s engaged with the Community Mental Health team, my doctor, my employer and pretty much everyone to give them a nudge. This has helped to the point that I now have a key worker, took me 34 years on my own, took Robert 6 months, fair play!
Without sounding rude, who knows what the future holds. The world has been turned upside down by Covid, I fear the unknown and this is killing me!
But what Robert in AMH Workable is doing at the minute, keep it up, maybe face to face will be a thing soon. Robert is steering this ship of mine in the right direction and I couldn’t be more grateful.
AMH is one of seven partners within the SES – Supported Employment Solutions consortium. SES is contracted to deliver the Department for Communities Workable (NI) Programme across Northern Ireland and has brought together disability organisations to provide specialist employment supports to people with a range of disabilities and health conditions.
The SES partners include AMH and Cedar (Lead Partners), Mencap, Orchardville, NOW, RNIB and Action on Hearing Loss.
SES Aims to offer a Supported Employment approach in the delivery of programs to assist people with disabilities and health conditions to enter and stay in employment.
The Workable (NI) Programme is funded by the Department for Communities.
Mindset, Healthy Me and Provoking Thought Group Sessions Now Available on-line
– Scroll down to find out more!
The Mindset programme from Action Mental Health has moved to online delivery.
Due to Government guidance the programme can not be delivered face-to-face at this time but our team have adapted the programme so it can be delivered on-line and you don’t miss out!
Mindset is open to youth and community groups across the Northern, Western, Belfast and South Eastern Trust areas for groups of 6-12 people.
It aims to:
Raise awareness and increase knowledge and understanding of Mental and Emotional Health and Well-being
Raise awareness of signs and symptoms of mental ill health
Promtoe self-help/resilience techniques and how to maintain a safe level of positive mental and emotional health and well-being
promote self-care
information and/or resouces on mental health syupport organisations available (locally & regionally)
The on-line programme can be delivered in a format to suit participant needs and will be agreed prior to booking confirmation –
A one-off interactive workshop – the full Mindset programme – Duration : 3 hours (with breaks)
Mindset Sessions – the full Mindset programme in bite size chucks – Duration : 2 or 3 sessions over separate days
For more information or to register your interest contact
Healthy Me for Parents, Carers and Teachers of Young Children
Suitable for: groups of key adult contacts (parents, carers or school staff) of children aged 8-11 (P5-P7) Duration: 1 hour (delivered as 1x1hour or 2x30mins sessions)
Healthy Me aims to:
help support how to start conversations about mental health
raise awareness of signs/symptoms of mental ill-health
teach self-care techniques for building resilience and confidence
show how and where to access support (locally & regionally)
Suitable for: pupils aged 8-11 (P5-P7) within Primary School or Community & Youth Groups Duration: 30 mins
A vibrant engaging programme, Healthy Me aims to:
improve social and emotional well-being through use of coping skills and managing feelings
develop self-help skills
encourage help-seeking behaviour
promote the correlation between mental and physical health
promote the Five Ways to Well-being
support transition from primary to secondary school
Activity sheets will be available to reinforce learning. Staff or volunteers can receive information on how to promote positive emotional well-being and sources of support.
The saying goes, ‘charity begins at home’ but when that sentiment is extended out into the wider community we all benefit.
Today, we wind up Mental Health Awareness Week – in a week which has seen considerable charity towards Action Mental Health. Individuals, families and businesses have found it in their hearts to give, even during the lockdown, through fundraising events and participating in the Great Big Purple Picnic. This was also the week that we were delighted to formally announce a new corporate partnership, with Mash Direct, based in Comber, Co Down, for which we are extremely grateful.
Giving is one of The Five Ways to Well-Being – five tried and tested steps devised to promote better mental health. According to the Public Health Agency, giving to others stimulates the reward areas in the brain, creating positive feelings. Read for yourself how it can benefit you here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/give-for-mental-wellbeing/
Giving, in all its forms, not only benefits those you help, but also instils feelings of improved well-being. Studies have shown that giving is beneficial for combating stress, depression and anxiety and also serves to keep you mentally stimulated, improve your self-confidence and provide you with a sense of purpose.
Being charitable will help teach your children about the impact of giving back to the community. Children watch everything you do, so, by following your example, it will give them first-hand experience of the benefits of being charitable.
For charities like Action Mental Health, the act of giving can be done through the likes of donations, fundraising and volunteering. No matter what your situation, there are myriad ways you can volunteer your time and efforts towards volunteering.
By volunteering with Action Mental Health you’ll be helping to raise money and awareness to help change the lives of those living with mental ill-health and promoting resilience and well-being to future generations.
For more information on volunteering with Action Mental Health email [email protected]
