Latest news with #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Local charity completes 18-mile fundraising walk from Kilmarnock to Ardrossan
CHAP staff, board members and members of the public took part in the Killie 2 Coast fundraiser to raise vital funds for the charity. Staff and trustees from CHAP completed an 18-mile walk from Kilmarnock to Ardrossan, raising over £2,500 in essential funds to support the delivery of their vital housing, welfare, and money advice services across Ayrshire. The Killie 2 Coast walk took place as part of Mental Health Awareness Week. The event highlighted the importance of mental wellbeing and of encouraging people to reach out for help and support when facing financial challenges. The event brought together staff, board members, and members of the public who had signed up to participate in the challenge. Setting off from CHAP's outreach hub at CentreStage in Kilmarnock, the walkers followed a scenic route to finish at the organisation's main office in Princes Street, Ardrossan, all in the soaring temperatures of the recent heatwave. Debbie Alexander, CHAP's Chief Executive Officer, said: "We were very fortunate with the weather – although a few degrees cooler would have been welcome at times! "Killie 2 Coast was our first fundraising walk and we've been delighted with the response. We're incredibly proud of everyone who took part – from our dedicated staff and board members to the members of the public who chose to take on the challenge alongside us. "All donations will go directly towards supporting our frontline advice services at a time when demand for them is higher than ever." The money raised will support CHAP's work across North and East Ayrshire, providing free support on housing and homelessness, welfare rights, money and debt advice. CHAP has been overwhelmed by the generosity shown by supporters in the lead-up to and during the walk. The team has been touched by the kind donations, messages of encouragement, and local enthusiasm for the event. Debbie added: "We can't thank everyone enough - from those who joined us on the walk, and all who donated, to the local businesses who helped us out. We really appreciate all the support we've received for the K2C walk." The event was made possible thanks to the generous support of a number of local businesses who sponsored or donated essential supplies, and community groups offering the use of their facilities to walkers along the route. CHAP would like to extend sincere thanks to the following: Active Office Group, ASDA Ardrossan, Ardeer Community Centre, Barry Devlin Services, Brownings the Bakers, Card Factory Saltcoats, CS Recovery Ltd, Dreghorn Library, Kilwinning Community Sports Club, Tesco Extra Kilmarnock and The Working Wardrobe. If you would like to support CHAP, donations remain open and can be made through JustGiving page here. To access CHAP services, please call Freephone on 030 0002 0002 or visit their website.
Leader Live
4 days ago
- Health
- Leader Live
Specsavers' employee ran for North East Wales Mind
Dispensing optician at Specsavers Flint, Dawn Dale raised £650 for North East Wales Mind after completing the recent Chester Half Marathon. Coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Week (Mat 12-18), the 13-mile run took Dawn one hour and 52 minutes, raising vital funds for the charity, which supports people living with mental health challenges across Flintshire and Wrexham. Out of 189 runners in the over-50's category, Dawn placed 14th. Read more: North Wales riding centre 'overwhelmed' as pledge saves them from closure Colleagues at Specsavers Flint were there to cheer Dawn on along the route and supported her fundraising efforts in the lead-up to the race day. A store bake sale raised more than £260, helping her surpass her fundraising target of £500 weeks ahead of the event. Having faced her own mental health challenges, Dawn says running has played a big part in her journey towards recovery following a particularly difficult period during the Covid-19 pandemic. Read more: Flint store to launch a new concept in pre-loved fashion She said: "Running became a real turning point for me. It's something that helps me feel grounded and gives me a sense of purpose. Taking on this half marathon felt like a way to give something back and to raise awareness that support is out there for anyone who's struggling." Specsavers Flint's retail director, Holly Roberts, added: "We're all incredibly proud of Dawn, both for the physical feat of completing the marathon and for her courage in sharing her story. "She's inspired our whole team and brought the store together for a cause that affects so many. We're grateful to everyone in the community who donated or came by the store to support her."
Edinburgh Live
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
West Lothian singer used 'real experiences of perseverance' to pen latest release
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A West Lothian singer has said he used 'real experiences' to write and record his latest release. Fraser McLean, 22, has dedicated the past 18 months to producing new material. The Bathgate artist has plans to release three new singles and an EP this year. His latest single, The World Is Not Done With You Yet, was released at the beginning of May - coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Week. Fraser sings of self-doubt and resilience, and said that he wanted to approach mental health from a 'more positive angle'. Speaking after the release, Fraser said: "In recent years, mental health has played a significant role in my life, deeply affecting my friends and family in ways that hit close to home. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox "This song reflects that experience. While I've written about mental health before, this time, I wanted to take a more positive approach -focusing on perseverance and the strength to keep moving forward." Fraser, who plays multiple instruments, says he draws inspiration from artists like Lewis Capaldi, Sam Tompkins, Benson Boone and James Arthur. (Image: Supplied) He first fell in love with music at the age of 14, and graduated with a bachelors degree in music. Since 2023, he's been collaborating with artists to create material that 'reflects his growth'. He's shared the stage with the likes of Callum Beattie, Wrest, Kid Rain, Samuel Jack and Keir Gibson. Fraser's introduction to peforming came from 'crashing his dad's gigs at the pub'. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. Speaking to The Scottish Sun, he said: "Dad has played the pub and club scene for as long as I can remember. "Because of him I've grown up around music and had the opportunities that some other people haven't. I started doing open mics and crashing my dad's gigs playing guitar and singing some of the songs I had written. "My dad has never taught me to play any instruments, but both my mum and dad have always encouraged me by sending me for lessons from a very early age. He says his biggest problem with me is getting me to stop practising and go to bed."
Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'My sister is Kate Middleton - sibling love can be complicated and takes work'
James Middleton, brother of the Princess of Wales, opens up about his relationship with his sisters Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, and Pippa Middleton in a candid interview Family has never been more important to the Middletons than over the past 12 months as they've rallied to support the Princess of Wales after her cancer diagnosis. Kate, 43, emphasised a message of 'renewal and resilience' herself this month when she urged us all to reconnect with nature during a personal video filmed on her recent wedding anniversary trip with William, Prince of Wales. Recording it as part of a Mental Health Awareness Week project, the mum-of-three said nature had been her sanctuary over the past year, and called spring 'a season of rebirth, of hope and new beginnings'. Now, as Kate's younger brother James Middleton, 38, speaks to the Mirror about his emotional and, at times, heartbreaking memoir, Meet Ella, the parallels between his and sister Kate's approach to life are undeniable. In this exclusive interview, the youngest of the three Middleton siblings also opens up about how deep their family ties run, and pays tribute to the strength and resilience of his sisters and mother, Carole. 'I'm incredibly fortunate to have my two sisters, Catherine and Pippa, not just as siblings, but as friends,' he tells us. 'They've seen me at my best and at my lowest, and they've always been there when I've needed them most. 'Sibling love is something unique, you can't choose your siblings, it can be complicated, it takes work, but when it's strong, I believe it's one of the most powerful bonds there is.' James says, his sisters played an integral role in shaping the person he is today. The three grew up in Berkshire with their business owner mother Carole, 70, and former British Airways manager Michael, 75. The trio were 'infinitely fortunate' to grow up in a home full of love and laughter, James says, and he pays particular tribute to the three women of the house. 'They've always been emotionally open, expressive, and in tune with the people around them, and I think being surrounded by that kind of emotional intelligence rubbed off on me, even if I didn't fully realise it at the time,' he says. 'Looking back, I think it gave me permission, in a way, to feel things more deeply. That doesn't mean I always found it easy, in fact, like a lot of men, I struggled with expressing how I was really doing, especially when I was at my lowest. 'But having strong women around me who led with compassion and honesty definitely helped me learn that vulnerability wasn't weakness it was strength. It probably laid the groundwork for me being able to open up later on, whether in therapy, writing the book, or just in honest conversations with the people I love. And for that, I'm incredibly grateful.' Kate showed her strength of leading with compassion, as James put it, at last week's Buckingham Palace garden party – her first in two years – when she spoke to the family of aspiring teenage photographer Liz Hatton. Liz was pictured hugging Kate just weeks before she died of an aggressive cancer in November last year. The princess told them, 'I hope you weren't overwhelmed. It must be difficult when you are under the spotlight. If you need any help fundraising, maybe I can help. Please stay in touch, really.' Meanwhile, James, who married French financial analyst Alizee Thevenet in 2021, showed his vulnerability in his memoir, published in September, during what was a very difficult year for the family. His story, of course, shows an incredibly privileged childhood with a prep school education and foreign holidays, but it also goes into detail about his descent into depression and mental health crisis. A huge part of his story is what he calls his 'darkest night' in November 2017, when he considered suicide. He was 'void at my core', feeling misunderstood and emotionless. Ella was the reason he didn't take his own life, hence Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life. There are lighter moments in the book, too, such as the time he suffered what he remembers as a 'blind panic' when meeting Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, and addressing them by the wrong titles (and seeing 'everyone in the room stifling giggles'). And when Ella was given special privileges to stay in James' guest room at Sandringham – only to escape and make her way to the kitchen, with James later comforted by 'Well, dogs will be dogs' from the late monarch. James' family have told him they're deeply proud of him, 'not just of the book, but of the journey I've been on and the fact I chose to share it so openly', he says. That said, he is very aware that some of his words have been incredibly difficult for them to read, especially for his mum and dad. 'It's incredibly hard to see your child go through any sort of pain or struggle, so to read about it in black and white wouldn't have been easy for them. 'But they've been incredibly supportive. I think they knew I needed to write the story to be able to move forward – as they were so concerned about how I'd react when I lost Ella. But it was so healing in many ways.' Ella – the mother of Kate and William's late dog Lupo – died in January 2023, shortly before James and Alizee found out they were expecting their first child. It was the realisation that his son Inigo, now 19 months, would never get to meet Ella that prompted James to record the memories that formed the basis of the book. 'That thought really hit me,' he says. 'So I started writing down every memory I could, every adventure, every moment we shared because I wanted Inigo to know Ella. I wanted him to know the dog who introduced his father to his mother, and to understand just how extraordinary she was. Our lives were so deeply entwined. She was a part of me as much as I was a part of her. 'The book naturally unfolded from that connection. And I knew that if Ella's story could bring someone else even a glimmer of hope, comfort or warmth, then telling it would be worth it. What I thought about most was why I was telling this story. It wasn't just about me, it was about the incredible bond we can have with animals, and how sometimes they reach us in ways that people can't. I wanted to honour that, and I wanted to honour Ella.' Putting pen to paper wasn't easy and James admits he doesn't think he could do it again. 'But at the same time, it was incredibly rewarding. Writing gave me a chance to process things in a new way. Getting my thoughts down wasn't always straightforward. Having dyslexia, I struggled with the structure, so it was, at times, messy, but I had help from [co-writer] Frances Hardy to bring it all together.' Seeing such an open and personal memoir from someone so closely connected to the royal family is a rare thing, and that fact isn't lost on James. But what he finds more surprising, he jokes, is that he's written a book at all, irrespective of subject. 'I often joke that if my old English teacher had been asked who was least likely to write a book, it would've been me, hands down! 'So to have made it this far and for the book to have become a best-seller is humbling. I think it has opened up some new conversations and helped people understand parts of my journey I hadn't really spoken about before. It's been overwhelming, in the best way.' Writing about Ella's death, on 7 January 2023, was undoubtedly the hardest topic for James. 'I've realised that grief isn't something you 'get over', it's something you learn to embrace. It becomes part of you. Writing helped me make sense of that. 'It helped me honour Ella's life, not just her death, and the massive imprint she left on me. I also hoped that by sharing the darker parts of the journey, someone else who's grieving might feel a little less alone. In the end, the joy and the grief are intertwined. You can't have one without the other.' In terms of his mental health journey, James says the first and possibly most significant milestone was him acknowledging he might actually be depressed. 'The most major turning point was when I realised I could have depression,' he shares. 'James Middleton, who has come from a loving family and infinitely fortunate with his upbringing, could suffer from depression. For a long time, I carried a lot of shame and embarrassment around how I was feeling, thinking, 'What did I have to be depressed about?' 'It took time and professional help for me to understand that depression isn't a personal failing. It's something that can happen to anyone, and it's okay to ask for help.' Therapy was another big factor, and it gave him the right tools – such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy – to slowly challenge his negative thought patterns. He also praises Ella, because 'she gave me a reason to get up, to go outside, to care'. 'There's no single breakthrough moment, it's been more of a slow, ongoing process. But looking back, each step was part of me learning to live more honestly, and to accept help rather than hide from it.' He doesn't want the conversations to end here, though, and even cites the statistic that suicide is still the biggest killer of men under 50. 'It's terrifying,' he says. 'It tells us that too many men are still suffering in silence, feeling like they can't speak up, or that they have to 'tough it out' alone and that needs to change and the more people who can speak up about it helps reduce the stigma. We're starting to talk more openly about men's mental health, and about the importance of vulnerability, of reaching out, of asking for help, which is great. But we've still got a long way to go.' Now that he's the father of a young boy himself, James says he doesn't just want to keep the conversations going, he needs to. 'I want Inigo to grow up knowing that emotions aren't something to hide or be ashamed of, that there's real strength in vulnerability and in being honest about how you feel,' he shares. 'What I hope he learns from me is that it's okay not to be okay, and it's more than okay to ask for help. 'I want him to truly know who he is, to be proud of that person, and to thrive not because he has to fight for acceptance, but because the world around him embraces him exactly as he is. If my journey, and the way I've chosen to share it, plays even a small role in helping create that kind of world for him, then that's something I'll carry with immense pride.'
Leader Live
24-05-2025
- Health
- Leader Live
More than 1,700 enjoy WellFest Wrexham at Library Field
The free wellbeing festival was held on Library Field on Saturday, May 17, and was packed with live music, workshops, and free activities for all ages. Timed to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week, the event offered an inclusive space to promote positive mental health across the region. From silent discos and yoga to forest school, laughter therapy and therapy ponies, the festival was shaped by the Five Ways to Wellbeing. It was also planned and run by young people through the Mind Our Future programme and its young leaders advisory board (YLAB). Karlos O'Neill, Mind Our Future project co-ordinator, said: "It's amazing to see our YLAB come together to promote positive wellbeing across North East Wales. "We have members from all walks of life with different abilities, and it was core to the entire YLAB to ensure this event was welcoming to everyone. "From working with autism charities to ensure there was a sensory space, to silent discos with WCD Young Carers, to therapy ponies and yoga – it was a day for everyone." One of the most appreciated parts of the day was the focus on young performers. From singers and dancers to bands, the stage featured young people from the area sharing what they enjoy most. Mr O'Neill said: "It was amazing to see so many young people performing – singing, dancing, playing music – and just owning the stage. "It brought such a buzz to the whole event." READ MORE: British households still 'saddled with highest energy bills in developed world' Rachel Hancocks, head of service at Your Space Marches, said: "We noticed a vast amount of neurodivergent families in attendance – some we knew and lots we didn't. "They clearly felt comfortable and there were lots of things to take part in and people to talk to." Initial feedback has been very positive, with attendees highlighting the relaxed atmosphere, variety of activities and the prominent role played by young people from the area.
