A number of people being supported by Action Mental Health to help them fulfil their employability prospects are helping to mark today’s Europe-wide Job Shadow Day.

Action Mental Health sources and supports employment opportunities for clients, helping them avail of training and voluntary places, and today AMH clients will be joining in the event, shadowing employees across a host of industries.

Job Shadow Day highlights the positive contribution people with health conditions and disabilities can make to workforces and the economy.

The employment initiative was developed by the Irish Association of Supported Employment in 2008 and by 2017 over 800 job seekers participated across 500 employment sites, securing 55 permanent job placements as a direct result.

Since its establishment, Job Shadow Day has been adopted by a number of European countries, including Belgium, Finland, Hungary and Sweden. And last year France, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands Portugal, Scotland and Slovenia joined the list of countries marking the day, known in Europe as DUO Day.

Our employability Clients are part of the Working it Out Project which is part-funded through the ESF programme 2014-2020 and the Department for the Economy.

A North West-based musician has donated the proceeds of a CD to mental health services on the both sides of the border in Ireland.

Gabby Fitzgerald, who is originally from Dublin, has kindly shared proceeds worth £1310 from his musical CD collection, Black Dog Island, equally, between Action Mental Health New Horizons Foyle and Mental Health Ireland.

This generous gift marks the first of several fundraising events with Gabby, who is a talented songwriter and traditional musician – playing the Uilleann pipes, guitar and the whistle.

Gabby comments: “In order to try to make the album interesting and strong I started out with 25 songs with the intention of dropping a few along the way, depending on how they were developing. “I decided to call the album ‘’Black Dog Island’’ – this song relating to the low time in my life, and the song also features on the album.”

We at Action Mental Health would like to thank Gabby, not only for the generous donation, but also for his music and that of the other musician who contributed to the album.

We look forward to our next joint venture with Gabby, and more details will be revealed in the coming months.

A client of Action Mental Health’s Workable programme has donated the proceeds of a fundraising drive to the charity, after her path to fitness mirrored her personal journey to mental well-being.

Sharon Scott raised over £700 by completing 5K in the Spar Omagh half marathon, along with her husband Allan.

Sharon wanted to give something back to the charity after experiencing a period of mental ill-health, and it was during her recovery that she undertook a placement with AMH’s Workable Programme. She decided to raise funds as a thank you – and a way to get fit at the same time.

She explained: “I took part in the event because as my mental health improved I felt I need my physical health to get better as well. I had but on a lot of weight during my worst times with my depression and anxiety and felt I was now in a better place to try and get in shape.

“I intend to keep up the running and I have already signed up to compete in another 5K in May. I wanted to raise the money for AMH because they helped me in my recovery, from the SES Workable NI programme and referring me to CMP.”

Since embarking on her fitness and fundraising drive she said she has been overwhelmed by the support she has received.

“I can’t believe how generous everyone has been,” she said.

Fashionistas are being invited to select the best spring look for 2018 at a special event at Victoria Square in Belfast next week in aid of Action Mental Health and a number of Northern Ireland’s other charities working in the field of mental health and well-being.

The Spring into Style event takes place at the shopping centre’s Spring Secret Garden this weekend, April 21 and 22 from 1-5pm.

Guests will get the chance to vote for their favourite mixes and matches of fresh fashion and hot trends being showcased by models, each displaying the finery from a different in-centre store. All you have to do is select your must-have look and vote – with the most popular look scooping a £1000 for the chosen charity of one of five local fashion bloggers and influencers.

Action Mental Health’s flag is being flown by Oh So Femme for River Island; Cathy Martin, supporting Cruse Bereavement, for House of Fraser; Katherin Farries, supporting Addiction NI, for Coast; All That’s Pretty for Aware NI, for their chosen store, LK Bennett; and Bella McKee, for Top Shop in support of PIPS.

The event will feature mini makeovers from beauty brands within House of Fraser; there will be samples and one lucky visitor will win a Victoria Square Spring Experience worth £500.

https://www.victoriasquare.com/spring-into-style/

Another runner has signed up to run the Belfast City Marathon for Action Mental Health.

Personal trainer Lynne Troughton will run her first ever marathon and has chosen AMH as her benefactor, motivated by her passion for improving mental health through fitness.

Lynne works at the Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council-run Dromore Community, taking a number of fitness classes, while studying for a Foundation Degree in Counselling Studies at Southern Regional College in her spare time.

“This will be my first ever marathon and I’m pleased to be running it for Action Mental Health as this charity is close to my heart. Research shows exercise and can improve mental health. This is an area I am very passionate about, in supporting people. When I qualify I hope to start a Counselling Personal Training Programme,” she said.

“Currently one in five people are living with mental health issues including some family, friends and loved ones. I would be truly grateful if you will sponsor me running the Belfast Marathon so we can raise money together to help support people and their families who have mental health issues.”

The deadline to enter the Monday, May 7 event – whether running the full marathon, half marathon, relay, fun run, wheelchair or 8-mile walking event – is this Friday, April 13, so if your feet are itching to prove themselves get on it asap!

Sign up at http://www.belfastcitymarathon.com/ and get in touch with our fundraising team on [email protected]   

You can help Lynne meet her target at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lynne-troughton.

Action Mental Health and New Life Counselling have announced an exciting new partnership. From 1^st April 2018, the two local charities have created a new Group Structure which will see the two well-known local organisations come together to provide a more integrated service for communities throughout Northern Ireland.

Both organisations have a history of working through partnerships to deliver better outcomes for their clients and this initiative builds on that experience and expertise within both charities.

The purpose of this initiative is to enhance effectiveness in meeting the needs of service users, clients and communities and ensure resources are focused to best effect so that they improve the long-term sustainability of both organisations and their services.

Under the agreement, New Life Counselling will become a subsidiary of Action Mental Health but it will continue to be a separate charitable company with its own name, board, contracts and employees.

The organisations will be actively engaged in a working process over the coming months and the existing Joint Working Group, made up of Board members from both organisations, will continue to lead and support the process of aligning the two organisations.

Both organisations rely heavily on the support and encouragement of all their stakeholders and as such will provide regular updates on any further developments.