All posts by actionmentalhealth

AMH News

Wilson Nesbitt supports Action Mental Health

Wilson Nesbitt Solicitors in Bangor have raised £1,500 for Action Mental Health.

The money was raised via a charity competition run with conveyancing clients. Explaining why he chose AMH to receive this donation Gary Adair, Wilson Nesbitt said, “Through my work in mental health law I regularly get to see first-hand the great work carried out by Action Mental Health. I am delighted to be able to make this donation to help Action Mental Health continue their work to improve the quality of life and the employability of people with mental health needs or a learning disability in Northern Ireland.”

Accepting the cheque for £1,500, Callum Clark, Fundraising & Events Officer, AMH said, “We are very appreciative of this donation from Wilson Nesbitt, the money raised will go towards improving the lives of people with mental ill-health across Northern Ireland.”

Testimonials

New Horizons by C Doherty

So the time has come

A sense of achievement

The progress I’ve made

How far I have come

A new beginning

A new chapter to my story

 

Too comes fear

The unknown

Building new relationships

Wavering thoughts of self-doubt

I am ready….

But….am I ready?

 

Heart in my mouth

The elevator climbs

Deep breaths in and out, and in and out

As my emotional state declines

A glance in the mirror before the doors open

Be strong

Be you

Be all you can be

 

Friendly staff, welcome and soothe

Build you up….

Make you believe you can achieve

Help you to reach new goals

To strive

To succeed

This is exactly what I need

 

Friendly smiles being given and received

Members so different

Yet, all the same in one important way

The want to better themselves

The want to work hard

To work toward a better life

A life both healthy in body and mind

 

A jam-packed full timetable

The variety

So much on offer

Yes, maybe I’m too unwell

To unwell to tie down a job

Today….and maybe even tomorrow

However, how impressive will it be

When that day comes

The day I can show my experience

My knowledge

My newly achieved qualifications

The day when I can recognise my worth….my purpose in this life that has thrown me so many obstacles

 

For now

I will use my time

Continue to work with this service

This organization that can set souls free

A place where I am who I am

A place where I am me

Without unrealistic expectations people expect of me

And me, I can be

 

 

Even down to the, more hard for me, but simpler of tasks for some

Challenging anxieties, social phobias and things

The ability to step onto a bus

To sit beside people you do not know

To hold a conversation, as the bus slowly makes its way, stop by stop

Until it reaches its destination

Until I successfully reach New Horizons

My destination

Along with the inside, I did it! Celebration

 

Classes were one can excel

Use their gifts

Their talents

Sharing different aspects of their crafts

For me, the love of creative writing

Something that can instantly transport me into different worlds

Fiction

Reality

Anything my imagination can see

 

The sporting activities

Filled with fun

Laughter of the competitiveness between members, but mostly staff

Smashing winning shots in badminton

Fancy footwork in boxing

To the stinging of your hands as you save penalty shoot-outs or score the winning goals in a newly experienced activity

Running free

The refreshing cold on your cheeks, fresh air in your lungs

Healthy body, healthy mind

Healthy mind, healthy body

 

All of these open possibilities and opportunities

In a place where you can broaden Your Horizons!

 

By C Doherty

 

 

Events

New Action Mental Health Promote service launched in Bangor

L-R back row – Colm McKenna, Chairman SEHSCT; Karen Hillis, Service Manager AMH Promote; David Babington, Chief Executive AMH; Bria Mongan, Director of Adult Services & Prisons, SEHSCT; Peter Fitzsimmons, Chairman AMH.
L-R front row – Adam Maul, AMH Promote client; Ellen Savage, parent of AMH Promote client; Kim Atcheson, AMH Promote client.

Action Mental Health (AMH) has re-launched its Promote service in Bangor, following a change in focus for the organisation.

AMH Promote, which is funded by the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (SEHSCT), will focus on providing opportunities for adults with a learning disability to be socially active and develop new skills in a supportive and engaging environment. Following the review of service provision and the introduction of new service providers in the area, AMH Promote has been commissioned to deliver a day opportunities service, which will focus on the personal development of clients.

During the launch event AMH Promote celebrated the achievements of their clients with a certificate presentation ceremony. Colm McKenna, Chairman, SEHSCT presented 40 clients with a range of ASDAN and OCN NI certificates covering topics such as Self Advocacy, Meal Preparation, Independent Living skills, Sports Studies, Personal & Social Development (PSD), computer skills, digital photography, baking skills, horticulture, communication skills, and crafts.

Karen Hillis, Service Manager, AMH Promote said,

“Our vision is to provide a service where we can offer a range of client focused training and social activities to develop individual’s skills and self-confidence as well as encourage engagement with our local community.”

Congratulating everyone who received a certificate at the event, Karen said

“We are delighted to have supported so many of our clients to successfully complete such a broad range of qualifications and to see the pride they take in their well-earned achievements.”

Ellen Savage, whose daughter attends AMH Promote said,

“Since starting at AMH Promote, my daughter has grown into a confident and sociable young lady having made many new friends and has gained more independence that I ever thought would be possible. Staff are always there to offer support and reassurance to both myself and my daughter which is invaluable – I would highly recommend AMH Promote to everyone.”

For more information on AMH Promote call 028 9127 5953.

L-R back row – Colm McKenna, Chairman SEHSCT; David Babington, Chief Executive AMH; Bria Mongan, Director of Adult Services & Prisons, SEHSCT; Karen Hillis, Service Manager AMH Promote; Peter Fitzsimmons, Chairman AMH. L-R front row – AMH Promote clients Catherine Wren, Antonia Bolton and Jonathan Sloan.
L-R back row – Colm McKenna, Chairman SEHSCT; Karen Hillis, Service Manager AMH Promote; Peter Fitzsimmons, Chairman AMH.
L-R front row – AMH clients Maureen Kisby, Kim Atcheson, Jonathan Edge.
AMH News

Donaghmore Construction Ltd raises over £2,000

In 2016 Donaghmore Construction established a fundraising committee which raised funds throughout the year for two charities, one of which was Action Mental Health. Various charitable events were organised including a car wash on site at Banbridge, Giant’s Causeway Coast Sportive, an abseil down the Europa Hotel and a Christmas jumper day.  Supply chain partners also gave generously in lieu of Christmas gifts.

Claire Douglas, Donaghmore Construction said, “We would like to thank all who contributed throughout the year and are hopeful that the money raised will help both worthwhile causes to continue their good work throughout Northern Ireland.”

Accepting the cheque for £2,112.50, Callum Clark, Fundraising & Events Officer, AMH said, “We are incredibly grateful to Donaghmore Construction for their kind donation and for choosing Action Mental Health as one of their designated charities last year. We appreciate the time and effort it takes to organise fundraising events and are thrilled to receive over £2,000. This money will go towards improving the lives of people living with mental ill-health across Northern Ireland.”

Events

Can you spare an hour?

AMH needs your help! We are looking for volunteers to help out at our bag pack on Friday 10 February 10am – 4pm at Tesco Castlebawn in Newtownards.

If you could spare one hour we’d love to hear from you. Call Katrina McIlmail on 028 9182 2410.

AMH News

Celebrating Client Success

There was a celebratory mood in Portadown Town Hall on 31 January as AMH New Horizons Craigavon & Banbridge recognised the achievements of their clients.

Lord Mayor Cllr Garath Keating was in attendance to present a range of certificates to mark the many accomplishments in areas including employability, IT, photography, horticulture, wellbeing and business and administration.

AHM staff, funders and clients at the celebration event

Speaking at the event Colin Loughran, AMH Service Manager said, “I am delighted to see the achievements of all the learners and applaud everyone on their hard work and recovery journey. It’s a pleasure to work with, and for, people so determined to make positive change in their lives no matter how small that role may be.

“Our staff team should be proud of their achievements in designing and delivering the broad range of opportunities for people to benefit from.

“The achievements celebrated today are the result of the effective partnership between AMH, the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020 and the Department for the Economy, and the Southern Health & Social Care Trust, who are thanked for their continued support of our work.”

During the event Renatas Dirse shared his thoughts on his journey so far. He said, “I attended a mix of classes such as IT, gardening and Tai Chi. I enjoyed the routine of going to the classes and they really helped me a lot. I have more trust in myself as I have actually achieved something and have more confidence to apply for jobs.”

AMH New Horizons offer a range of recognised qualifications and provide training, personal development programmes and social and recreational activities. AMH New Horizons offers guidance and support, helping people to overcome the effects of mental ill health and in many cases return to work.

Find out more about AMH New Horizons.

Testimonials

Hannah – Working it Out in Antrim

“AMH New Horizons Antrim has been very beneficial to me in a number of ways:

As a young person suffering from social anxiety and depression it can be hard to make friends and socialise. AMH has helped me with this in different ways. I have met people who have had similar life experiences and have made new friends.

AMH offer a range of different courses which are very beneficial to people who are suffering with mental health problems, such as personal success and wellbeing, stress management techniques, NVQ’s, and social cookery and many more.

I am a member of the EVOLVE group. This takes place on a Tuesday and a Friday. EVOLVE is a programme for young people aged 18-25 years.   We have completed OCN Level 2 Employability and OCN Level 2 Team Work Skills. It is not all about completing training we also go on trips out and do fun activities. We visited Coke-a Cola factory, had a day out at Belfast Christmas Market, cannoed on Lough Neagh and had trips to the cinema.  EVOLVE has helped me greatly with meeting people and making new friends around the same age group as me. I would highly recommend attending EVOLVE to anyone between the ages of 18-25.

I am also involved in the CLAG (Client Local Advisory Group) I am a lead in the CLAG which means I attend meetings with the Client Development Co-ordinator to discuss ideas and suggestions and to find ways to improve the service. I also attend regional meetings to be a voice for clients in the Antrim service. The Regional Client Advisory Group have met with the CEO of AMH and the Chairperson of AMH to discuss the wider issues of service provision for people with mental ill health in Norther Ireland.

Over-all Antrim New Horizons is a great support to me. The staff are very understanding and show an interest in all clients’ wellbeing”.

Hannah is a participant on the ESF Working it Out project.