Photos displayed in gallery above, credit: ‘Neil Hall / Community Sports Foundation’.
Thanks to Connor Southwell for his write-up below:
Norwich City Fans Social Club held its sixth mental health awareness evening on Thursday, January 18th at Carrow Road.
Starting in 2015, the event has been crucial to connecting people to services that may benefit them and raising crucial awareness for organisations and the work they do in our county.
Norwich City stars Onel Hernández and George Long shared their experiences with mental health and the tools they use to deal with the constant pressure of playing football professionally.
Former Member of Parliament and mental health champion Sir Norman Lamb spoke about the work he has been doing since leaving Westminster alongside the importance of improving access to services for those struggling.
Doctor Ardyn Ross, a local GP and Mental Health Clinical Lead for NHS Norfolk and Waveney, and Professor Stephen Bazire MBE, former Chief Pharmacist for Norfolk Mental Health Services and Consultant Pharmacist for the NHS until his retirement in 2015, also shared their wisdom on working with those struggling and the treatments available.
Darren Eadie compered the evening and was able to offer insight on and empathy through the challenges that mental health has thrown up throughout his life.
Over 200 people attended the event with 22 mental health groups in attendance – that compares to 80 attendees and six mental health groups on the night of the first event. That documents how significant an event this has become in our calendar.
Norwich City Fans’ Social Club remains incredibly proud of hosting this event and will continue to do so annually to keep spotlighting the wonderful work that all the local groups do to help those experiencing challenges with their mental health.
The raffle on the night raised £315 for the wonderful Community Sports Foundation. We would like to thank all the groups for coming along and hope it proved an enlightening and insightful event for those who came along.
The 22 Mental Health Groups:
This event is not just about raising awareness; it’s about creating a platform for discussion and support. We were delighted to have the participation of 22 esteemed Mental Health Groups:
A-Z of Mental Health Groups in Attendance
This diverse range of organisations ensured there was information available for various aspects of mental health, from general well-being to specific support groups.
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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.
Website: www.856foundation.org.uk
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Working together to get Norfolk moving. We believe that movement improves lives, and that sport & physical activity play a role in healthy communities.
Website: www.activenorfolk.org
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We use the power of sport to support and inspire our community. Our charitable objectives are driving inclusion for people with disabilities, boosting mental health and wellbeing, and supporting disadvantaged people to raise their aspirations.
Website: www.communitysportsfoundation.org.uk
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Duncan's Club is the Community Sports Foundation's new support programme for people with dementia. It is a 90-minute session every Thursday morning and afternoon at The Nest, in Horsford.
Website: www.communitysportsfoundation.org.uk/programmes/duncans-club
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We provide support specifically for people who have been bereaved through, or personally affected by, someone ending their own life. Offering an informal, friendly, non-judgemental environment where people can share their experiences with others who can relate to the emotional turmoil and isolation that suicide brings.
Website: www.empathynorfolk.co.uk
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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.
Website: www.getmeout.org.uk
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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.
Website: www.juliansupport.org
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Raising awareness, improving outcomes and promoting positive wellbeing. For those with mental health difficulties & their carers.
Website: www.liftloudfordanny.org.uk
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We’re a youth charity changing the world from Norfolk. We are advisers, counsellors and youth workers working together to provide the best support we can to young people aged 11-25.
Website: www.map.uk.net
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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 through like-minded Dads, as we navigate through the perils of life and fatherhood.
Website: www.matchofthedads.com
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MensCraft supports boys and men of all ages 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.
Website: www.menscraft.org.uk
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We believe no-one should have to face a mental health problem alone. Our services are organised around 4 key themes that we believe reflect the key areas where we can be of help: Personalisation & Recovery, Psychological Therapies, Social Inclusion and Wellbeing.
Website: www.norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk
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Men’s Sheds are community spaces for (particularly but not exclusively) men to connect, converse and create. The activities are often similar to those of garden sheds, but for groups of men to enjoy together. They help reduce loneliness and isolation, but most importantly, they’re fun!
Website: www.north-walsham-mens-shed.co.uk
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Op COURAGE is the NHS service that provides specialist care for those Armed forces veterans suffering from a mental health crisis. Doctors, nurses and other NHS staff work with military charities to provide therapy, rehab services and, in extreme cases, inpatient care to former soldiers, sailors and RAF personnel.
Website: www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-community
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We offer specialist community mental health support for women who experience mental health difficulties relating to the perinatal period (this is the time during pregnancy and up to baby being one year of age).
Website: www.nsft.nhs.uk/mother-and-baby
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We support individuals who have suffered either directly or indirectly from a gambling addiction or gambling related harm.
Website: www.reframecoaching.org.uk
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Rosedale Bereavement Support Groups are run at least twice a year in Beccles, Bungay, Halesworth, Diss, Attleborough and Wymondham. These are complimentary eight week courses and available to everyone no matter how long ago you were bereaved or which funeral directors you used.
Website: www.rosedalefuneralhome.co.uk/bereavement-support
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Samaritans is a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide throughout Great Britain and Ireland. They are available to anyone, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our King's Lynn branch is staffed by around 80 lovely volunteers who give up their time to help those in need of emotional support.
Website: www.samaritans.org/branches/kings-lynn
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Samaritans is a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide throughout Great Britain and Ireland. They are available to anyone, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Every year, our 180 volunteers at our Norwich branch give over 20,000 hours to support those struggling to cope.
Website: www.samaritans.org/branches/norwich
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The Man Cave is a new online group for men of all ages to join up to discuss all Mental Health issues. I want this space I've created to be a safe, non judgemental and completely private place to help people who are going through some tough times.
Website: www.facebook.com/groups/682368500247260/
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TimeNorfolk provides free wellbeing support for anyone who has experienced pregnancy loss at any stage, baby loss or pregnancy choices.
Website: www.timenorfolk.org.uk
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The Wellbeing Service offers help and support to improve wellbeing and manage stress, low mood, and anxiety. We aim to reduce the onset of mental ill-health, prevent deterioration and promote recovery by offering a range of flexible services tailored to meet your specific needs.
Website: www.wellbeingnands.co.uk
Why People Attended? To:
Gain valuable insights from our esteemed guests about mental health in the sporting world.
Connect with 22 different mental health groups to find the support that suits your needs.
Be part of a community dedicated to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.
Contribute to a night of empowerment, education, and inspiration.
Make a difference by coming together as a community.
Kick off the conversation and support each other on our mental health journeys.
Be part of something meaningful.
