Mental Health Awareness Evening – 23 Jan 2023
Article by Connor Southwell.
Norwich City Fans Social Club held their fourth mental health awareness evening on Monday, 23rd January at Carrow Road – the biggest and best yet.
Since the first night held in 2017, this very important event has grown substantially from seven mental health groups in attendance to 19 on this occasion. All the wonderful groups brought banners and leaflets to speak to attendees about the important services they provide to vulnerable people in Norfolk.
Over 150 people attended this crucial event, listening to powerful, candid and revealing chats with Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas, former footballer Darren Eadie, ex-Norwich City goalkeeper, head of academy goalkeeping Declan Rudd and Norwich City under-21 coach Alan Neilson – hosted by Michael Bailey.
Throughout the evening, our guests spoke about grief, addiction, the power of counselling and the importance of communication when it comes to dealing with mental health issues.
It was a powerful evening for removing the stigmas attached to mental health conditions and also provided an opportunity for people to find relevant support from the groups in attendance.
This event was well supported by senior officials at Norwich City including sporting director Stuart Webber, executive director Zoe Webber, board member Tom Smith and members of the club’s media team. We thank them for their support and attendance at the event.
Fosters Solicitors chief executive Chris Brown and director Andrea Spooner were also in attendance and we would like to thank them for their continued support of our events.
The night was separated into two talks, with time for the audience to speak with the groups in attendance about the important work they do and how to gain access to their services should that ever be needed.
Our raffle on the evening raised £225 for the Community Sports Foundation.
This event encapsulated six weeks of work from our Norwich City Fans Social Club team and was a real joint effort to put the night together.
We would to thank everyone who attended and hope it was an enjoyable, impactful and purposeful evening for all who came along. Details of our next event will be made available in due course.
Photo Gallery
Groups in Attendance
Active Norfolk
We believe that movement improves lives.
And that physical activity and sport make valuable contributions to the health and well-being of Norfolk communities.
We support the development of sport and physical activity in Norfolk. We are building a future where movement is a normal part of everyday life.
But in order to make this vision a reality we have to address some real and persistent challenges. Challenges like health inequalities, unequal access to physical activity opportunities, and infrastructure that doesn’t always support us to be active in our daily journeys.
That’s why we take a collaborative, partnership-led approach. We work with a wide range of partners to identify and realise opportunities that will support the people of Norfolk to be more active, every day.
https://www.activenorfolk.org/
CSF – Duncan’s Club
Duncan’s Club, our new support programme for people with dementia, is a 90-minute session every Thursday morning at The Nest, in Horsford. It is the only weekly session of its kind for people in Norfolk with dementia.
Over 12,000 people in Norfolk are living with dementia, and there is a lack of regular support, with most groups only able to meet every 2-3 weeks.
Duncan’s Club, named after Norwich City’s iconic former captain Duncan Forbes, is a weekly session that includes mild activity, which has been proven to slow shrinkage of the part of the brain that deals with memory.
We are appealing for people to join our City Giving programme and give as little as £3 a month so that we can provide Duncan’s Club for free for participants.
https://www.communitysportsfoundation.org.uk/programmes/duncans-club/
CSF – Run for me
Free weekly community running sessions, with an emphasis on improving mental wellbeing
Run For Me is a community running group, which has an added focus on supporting its participants’ mental health and wellbeing.
The group meets once a week for a 60-minute running session led by qualified running coaches, followed by a 30-minute social session.
One in four people in the UK experiences mental health problems, and many studies have shown that running is a great way of improving overall happiness, health and mental wellbeing, as well as alleviating the symptoms of depression.
The initiative helps provide a friendly support group for its participants and to give them an outlet from day to day stresses, as well as being a great way to stay physically healthy and fit.
A legacy programme from the Foundation’s popular Run Norwich 10k event, Run For Me is free of charge to participants.
https://www.communitysportsfoundation.org.uk/programmes/run-for-me/
Cup-O-Tea Wellness Services
Cup-O-T: Wellness and Therapy Services is a not-for-profit mental health service. We provide mental health interventions and wellness sessions to young people and adults.
Our social purpose is:
To make mental health support accessible at an early stage.
To support young people to achieve their potential.
To make mental health support accessible in rural areas.
To increase mental wellness in communities.
Our therapy van story:
In November 2018 we purchased a Ford Transit van, over 7 months we transformed it into a calming therapy space. The Cup-O-T therapy van can be used for therapy appointments, as a base for groups or to run workshops from at events.
Our therapy woodland story:
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic we were unable to use the therapy van as a space for appointments due to social distancing. Instead we used it as a base and held appointments outdoors, in nature reserves, community spaces and woodlands. As social distancing lifted our young people and families requested that this continues. So the quest to find a woodland space began! In November 2021 we linked up with a woodland in Wymondham and in December 2021 we began a crowdfunder to secure the rent. We raised £6,000 and in January 2022 we began to transform the woodland space and run therapy sessions. there is still a way to go, shelters and facilities to add (STPP). but it is beautiful and tranquil and we hope you can visit one day.
Empathy Norfolk
Empathy’ is an independent, Norwich based organisation that provides support, within Norfolk, specifically for people who have been bereaved through, or personally affected by, someone ending their own life.
Founding Empathy as a community group evolved from personal, lived experience of the complex grief of suicide bereavement and our recognition of the sensitive care and compassionate support that is needed for those who are experiencing the emotional turmoil that is suffered by many people who are grieving such a loss.
Our desire and commitment to help others come with appreciation of the sensitivity of individuals’ circumstances and the importance of non- judgmental responses in reaching out to support survivors.
http://www.empathynorfolk.co.uk/
Get Me Out The Four Walls
Get Me Out The Four Walls offers peer support and informal social meets for parents and carers, living in Norfolk and Suffolk to overcome social isolation. Our informal social meets are organised by our team of volunteer Ambassadors.
We offer support through information, advice, and guidance. We utilise the local network of voluntary sector and professional organisations to signpost parents and carers towards additional support
Get Me Out The Four Walls was created to ensure that no mother, father or carer feels alone and isolated at home after the birth of their children. By creating informal social meets, we aim to give as many people the opportunity to escape their house and meet others which we believe helps prevent the on-set of perinatal mental illnesses such as postnatal depression and helps aid stabilisation of mental health.
We also strive to support parents that are struggling with a mental illness by offering peer support and social meets delivered by our friendly non-judgemental Ambassadors.
Julian Support
Our mission is to walk alongside people who are experiencing significant challenges with their mental health, building trust and sharing power with them, in order to bring about the changes they want to see in their lives and in their communities.
We make a significant impact on the lives of the people we come into contact with. They tell us that it is our approach, how we work, that makes the difference. We are a values-driven organisation and it is our values that underpin everything that we do.
https://www.juliansupport.org/
Lift loud for Danny
“I enjoy helping. Seeing people achieve what they can is what I like. I’ve been at the bottom and it’s not nice so keeping people on the right track and pushing them to where they want to be is all I want to do. Even if it’s not in the gym, helping people be the best version of themselves is what I will help do. In return it helps me be the best version of me I can be. Positive mental attitude and drive is all you need. Doing the best you can and not expecting anything in return will only lead to happiness. By doing that the people in your life which are worth your time will do the exact same thing for you. Unnecessary people will fade out before you even notice. Do what you enjoy, and you will enjoy what you do. All bad vibes will be dismissed and replaced with positive achievements.”
Daniel Willgoss 2018
https://www.liftloudfordanny.org.uk/
MAP
We are advisers, counsellors, youth workers and other professionals working together to provide the best support we can to young people aged 11-25, in a way that works for them. All of our services are free and confidential.
Match of the Dads
We are an award winning, FA affiliated, support network and football league based in Norfolk for Dads, Step-Dads and Dads to be, providing help, advice and support in partnership with the Norfolk and Waveney Wellbeing Service through like-minded Dads as we navigate through the perils of life and fatherhood. We provide a social platform through the medium of football to help Dads of all ages, abilities and walks of life get back their social life by meeting up Monday evenings from 7:30pm-9:30pm to have some fun and keep fit whilst also raising money for our charity partners CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), the Male Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention charity.
If you are a Dad and like the sound of what you’ve read, click the “join us” button at the top of the page and do exactly that, we’d love to have you on board!
https://www.matchofthedads.com/
Matthew Project
The Matthew Project has been helping people live fuller lives, free from drug and alcohol misuse for almost 40 years. Our ethos is shaped by a Christian world view, and is based in Norfolk. We provide support to young people, veterans, professionals, people in recovery, and the family and carers affected by substance misuse.
https://www.matthewproject.org/
Mens Craft
Happier and healthier men make for better brothers, partners, fathers, sons, colleagues and friends.
MensCraft is a Norfolk-based charity focusing exclusively on the health and wellbeing of men. We support men facing life’s challenges or experiencing difficulties with their mental health.
We offer information, activities and programmes and provide one-to-one support and access to other specialist services. Our range of activities give men purpose, the opportunity for connection with others, and for improved wellbeing.
We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for all, regardless of age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and faith.
Norfolk and Waveney Mind
We’re Norfolk and Waveney Mind, the mental health charity that believes no one should have to face a mental health problem alone.
Whether it’s you needing support, someone in your family, a friend or a work colleague, we are here for you.
You can call our team who will discuss the most appropriate service for you.
We work to reduce the stigma associated with mental health, support people in their recovery and champion better services for all.
We believe that with the right support, and resources, everybody can create a life that feels meaningful to them.
Norfolk and Waveney Mind – Home
Offside Trust
In November 2016, British football was rocked by a series of high-profile revelations regarding child sexual abuse. Several former professional players bravely waived their right to anonymity to speak out about their past abuse.
A number of those involved, decided to set up the Offside Trust, an organisation committed to supporting survivors and working to make sport safer for children.
Former professional footballer Steve Walters is director of the Offside Trust.
We are proud to work with and support fellow survivors. In addition to Steve, the Offside Trust family includes the amazing ambassadors listed below and several others who wish to remain anonymous:
- Gary Cliffe, former youth team player at Manchester City
- Dion Raitt, former youth team player at Peterborough United
- Alan Arber, former Norwich City player
- Callum Hancock, Professional boxer
- Billy Seymour, former Coventry and Millwall player. (Sadly passed away in 2019. RIP Billy.)
Our aims are:
- To raise awareness of the importance of safeguarding across all sports at all levels
- To provide survivors with advice guidance and resources to aid the healing journey
- To campaign for legal and regulatory changes to improve safeguarding in sport
Our objectives are:
- To secure partnerships with clubs at all levels, in all sports
- To engage with survivors and signpost them to the appropriate professional support
- To engage with survivors within the Offside Trust Support Network
- To support charitable helplines with specific focus on survivors in sport
- To change the law on child sexual abuse being exempt from ‘Double Jeopardy’
- To lobby for ‘Mandatory Reporting’ to be adopted in UK law
- To engage with political and judicial bodies to strengthen legal support for survivors
Rosedale Funeral Home – Bereavement Support Groups
Grief is a natural reaction to the death of a loved one. After the funeral, many people’s lives return to normal, but for those who were closest to the deceased, their lives are changed forever. Grief can feel very lonely and isolating. In response, Rosedale offers free Bereavement Support Groups. They are open to everyone, regardless of which funeral director was used or how long ago the loss occurred.
https://www.rosedalefuneralhome.co.uk/
The Samaritans
Whatever you’re facing, a Samaritan will face it with you.
Every 10 seconds, Samaritans responds to a call for help.
We’re here, day or night, for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure.
Samaritans is not only for the moment of crisis, we’re taking action to prevent the crisis.
We give people ways to cope and the skills to be there for others. And we encourage, promote and celebrate those moments of connection between people that can save lives.
We offer listening and support to people and communities in times of need.
In prisons, schools, hospitals and on the rail network, Samaritans are working with people who are going through a difficult time and training others to do the same.
Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy, and Samaritans’ vision is that fewer people die by suicide.
That’s why we work tirelessly to reach more people and make suicide prevention a priority.
Time Norfolk
TimeNorfolk provides free wellbeing support for anyone who has experienced a pregnancy related issue associated with pregnancy loss at any stage, pregnancy choices and baby loss.
HOW WE CAN SUPPORT YOU?
Support for couples
We can help couples navigate the loss of a pregnancy, this can be done together or separately.
Pregnancy choices
If you are pregnant and are unsure what you want to do: we provide the space and time to think about what you want to do; whether you want to discuss your options or think about who to tell first, we are here for you.
How does it work?
We offer face to face support at our centres in Norwich, Great Yarmouth and Kings Lynn. We also offer online video and telephone support for those unable to visit one of our centres.
https://www.timenorfolk.org.uk/
Wellbeing Service Norfolk & Waveney
Wellbeing is important to us all. We want to feel good about ourselves, to get the most out of our lives and feel connected to other people. ‘Wellbeing’ means feeling more than just happy and confident, it means feeling able to cope when things get tough in our lives or when our physical health suffers.
Wellbeing Norfolk & Waveney provide a range of support for people with common mental health and emotional issues, such as low mood, depression or stress. We work with you to help you make the necessary changes to improve your wellbeing and quality of life.
Our services are free and are available to people aged 16 and over living in Norfolk & Waveney.
https://www.wellbeingnands.co.uk/
8:56 Foundation
About the 8:56 Foundation
The 8:56 Foundation was set up in memory of Lee Calton. Lee was a massive football fan and would catch the 08:56 train out of King’s Lynn station on a Saturday morning with his friends.
Our Aim
The 8:56 Foundation aims to raise awareness, increase the profile of support and reduce the stigma associated with mental health. By using sport as an aid we want to encourage men to talk and reduce the risk of loneliness and isolation.
