AMH New Horizons Foyle have received £8692 from Awards For All Northern Ireland, to help them introduce a new cycling initiative which provides groups with the opportunity to either reengage with cycling or try it out for the first time.

 

The AMH Life Cycle project seeks to encourage Foyle service users to integrate physical activity into their daily routine and benefit from all the positive mental, physical and social benefits by taking part in a series of four 10 week cycling programmes.

 

AMH Life Cycle project offers clients the opportunity to:

• build cycling confidence and highway code knowledge
• learn basic bike maintenance, repairs, and pre-use road checks
• make new friends and join group rides in Foyle
• adapt healthier lifestyle options
• access bikes on weekends on an individual or group basis

 

Service Manager of AMH New Horizons Foyle, Mickie Harkin, said:

 

“We are all prone to being physically unwell due to certain lifestyle choices such as smoking, poor diet and alcohol misuse, which can often result in weight gain and other negative physical impacts.

 

“We’re hugely excited to be launching the Life Cycle project this summer and welcome all of our clients to get on their bikes and enjoy the great outdoors with us.”

 

The AMH Life Cycle project is available to clients of AMH New Horizons Foyle.  To take part, email Mickie on [email protected] or call 028 7137 3502. For more information please visit: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/northernireland

This week, New Horizons Derriaghy hosted a certificate presentation day to celebrate the individual achievements of over 40 clients during the last 12 months.

 

The New Horizons division of AMH (which is part-funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020 and the Department for the Economy) provides life changing services to those experiencing mental ill-health by aiding their recovery through employment, volunteering, training, support and advice.

 

Presenting clients with qualifications ranging from visual merchandising, computer literacy and digital skills, to customer service, and art, Acting Service Manager Eoin McAnuff said:

 

“It’s an honour to celebrate with clients who  through their own hard work, determination and drive, have gained transferable skills that will open up opportunities in terms of their personal and professional development.

 

“When trying to overcome the often debilitating effects of mental illness, it is important to remember that support from loved ones and services like AMH New Horizons are vital in the recovery process.

 

“In this instance, not only is it inspirational to see so many people learn new skills for both in and outside the workplace, but to see their mental well-being flourish as well.

 

“This serves as an example to others who are perhaps experiencing hard times that with the right support and encouragement, anything is achievable.”

 

David Babington, Chief Executive of AMH added:

 

“Over the course of the last year we have witnessed how much our clients have grown personally, professionally and emotionally.

 

“From the 1st April 2015 to now, 165 clients have attended our New Horizons service in Derriaghy, achieving 352 units of accreditation in a range of vocational areas.

 

“In addition 17 clients have progressed into employment, further education or training, which is a fantastic result.

 

“It is a sad truth that as many as one in four people in Northern Ireland will experience a mental illness at some point in their lives.

 

“We at AMH New Horizons therefore connect with organisations to create employment and volunteering opportunities for clients who are recovering from a mental illness and want to re-join the workforce.

 

“Our long-term vision is to break down the walls of stigmatisation and isolation by encouraging more people to open up and talk about mental illness and integrating individuals back into society.

 

“We are hugely proud of our clients’ incredible achievements this year and wish them all the best in all their future endeavours.”

 

If you are unemployed, living with a mental illness and are interested in taking part in the New Horizons Employment Program, contact your Community Mental Health team, Condition Management team or Jobs and Benefits advisor, and ask for a referral to the service.

 

To take part in New Horizons Employment Program email [email protected] or call 028 90629759.

After all our hard work and campaigning over the last number of years we are thrilled to see that the NI Executive has committed itself to improving Mental Health in the Draft Programme for Government Framework.

Not only is this the first time mental health has been listed as an indicator in a draft Programme for Government, but it is also one of the few health indicators to gain a specific mention.

This is a huge accomplishment and we’re excited for what the future will bring to mental health support services!

 

 

As part of Lagan Construction Group’s health and well-being initiatives for employees, the company is working with Action Mental Health to deliver initiatives surrounding mental health to the entire workforce.

We’re working closely with Lagan Construction Group to deliver personal resilience courses to employees highlighting mental health issues such as stress in the workplace and depression.

To mark Lagan Construction Group’s commitment to their health and well-being initiatives, CEO Colin Loughran met with David Babington, CEO of Action Mental Health, to discuss the partnership.

David Babington said:

“It is a sad truth that as much as one in four people in Northern Ireland will experience a mental illness at some point in their life.”

“Our long-term vision is to break down the walls of stigmatisation and social isolation by encouraging more people to open up and talk about mental ill-health in our local communities.”

“AMH therefore connect with various organisations, such as Lagan Construction Group, to help increase awareness of mental well-being amongst employees and provide them with the right knowledge and support should they ever need it.”

Pictured: David Babington (CEO, Action Mental Health) and Colin Loughran (CEO, Lagan Construction Group)

Action Mental Health has today published recommendations which call on newly appointed MLAs to commit support for improving Mental Health services at the forthcoming Programme for Government negotiations.

The document outlines the views and recommendations of Northern Ireland’s Mental Health sector (following Northern Ireland’s first ever mental health summit).

To view the document click here

Pupils from Grosvenor Grammar School have raised an impressive £400 for  Action Mental Health (AMH) to help support people in Northern Ireland living with mental ill-health.

The Form 5 students raised the funds by doing weekly collections in the school from September to January as part of Grosvenor’s community out-reach programme. So far, Grosvenor Grammar School pupils have collected in excess of £16,000 this academic year which has been donated to a wide variety of both local and national charities.

Lower sixth pupil and charity committee member, Luke Johnston said:

“In Grosvenor we really try to think about others and not just ourselves: it’s part of our caring ethos.

“We are very lucky to have access to a fantastically modern, vibrant school, but we are also mindful that there are others who aren’t as fortunate as us, so that’s why we try to support them in whatever way possible through our various fundraising efforts.”

Ms Lorraine Gray, Head of Media Studies and Charity Coordinator added:

“As a school, Grosvenor recognises the importance of maintaining positive mental well-being amongst its students just as much as their physical health.  We strive to ensure all pupils are equipped with the right tools and knowledge needed to navigate safely through particularly stressful times, such as exam season when emotions are running high.

“We greatly admire and relate to the work AMH do by supporting the recovery of the 1 in 4 people experiencing mental ill-health in Northern Ireland through education, training and employment – which we too are extremely passionate about.

“It is for this reason that Form 5 pupils decided to raise funds for AMH so they can continue their vital work and act as a voice piece on behalf of those who have experienced or are experiencing mental ill-health.”

Action Mental Health operates in ten locations across Northern Ireland and supports more than 2,000 clients each year by delivering a variety of life-changing courses to the local community.

Programmes are specifically designed to assist individuals with mental ill-health in the recovery process by encouraging them to adopt a healthier lifestyle and widen their social networks. AMH also provide clients with the skills to build a better future, set personal goals, develop coping skills, re-engage with society and become more employable.

Callum Clark, Fundraising and Events Officer of AMH, said:

“We cannot thank the pupils and charity committee of Grosvenor Grammar School enough for donating their time and funds to Action Mental Health. The fact that they have collectively raised so much money in such a short space of time is incredibly impressive and is a shining example of how proactive and caring the school really is towards the wider community.

“I would like to wish all the students of Grosvenor Grammar School all the best of success in the year that lies ahead and am in no doubt that they will achieve great things.”