With Fundraising playing a vital role in ensuring CTM Mind can support residents of the Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board area with their mental health, it’s important to us, that we acknowledge the commitment of our dedicated fundraisers who make our work possible.

We are privileged to hear the many inspiring and sometimes difficult reasons, why our fundraisers raise money and awareness of our charity,  when we met Susan who organised a fundraiser in memory of her beloved friend Gary, we asked could we share her fundraising journey with you too.

Susan along with family and friends held an event at Taffs Well Ex-Servicemen’s club in memory of the late Gary in January 2024 with vocal artists The Big Guy and a disco.

In Susan’s own words she describes Gary, as an incredible man who had so much love and passion for his family and friends. She explained that Gary sadly lost his fight with mental health that no one knew he was battling.

Susan went on to pay tribute to Gary and her reasons for fundraising and said:

 

“We recently lost an amazing person who served his country with pride, he was an amazing loving Daddy and cared immensely for his friends and family with a huge smile, always. Yet he lost a battle with a mental illness only he knew he was fighting.”

“Gary protected everyone from his suffering.”

 

As Gary would say, “It’s ok not to be ok”

We’ll be closed for Christmas.

 

We will be closed from Friday 22^nd December 2023 – Tuesday 2^nd January 2024.

We understand that this may be an inconvenience, but the wellbeing of our staff is paramount over the festive period.

Finding support over this period can seem quite difficult, but we have made a list of organisations that could help, along with their opening times and contact details.

Whether you’re seeking support for yourself, a family member, friend, colleague or client, we have listed some crucial services below that operate during Christmas.

 

Emergency Services

Call – 999
Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Always call the emergency services in the event of a live threatening emergency.
Don’t forget, you can ask for Ambulance, Police, Fire or Coast Guard.

999 using a text: EmergencySMS

Using 999 through a text is great for discreet contact to the emergency services. You can use this the same as the phone line. If you’re in crisis or at risk from another. Please remember to turn your phone on silent for your reply, but keep it on your person.
1. Register your mobile – Text the word ‘register’ to 999.
2. Read the message – You’ll get an automatic text reply. Please read it all.
3. Reply to the message. – Read the message and then reply by texting ‘Yes’.
4. Get a ‘Success’ text. – You’ll get a tect telling you that your mobile is now registered – or if there’s been a problem.
5. Check it. – Text ‘register’ to 999 and you’ll get a message telling you if it’s registered or not. (Don’t text anything else).

 

Mind

Call – 0333 123 3393 (Local charges may apply)
Open – Monday to Friday 9am – 6pm
Closed:
Monday 25^th December (Christmas Day)
Tuesday 26^th December (Boxing Day)
Monday 1^st January 2024 (New Year’s Day)

 

Samaritans

24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Call – 116 123 (Free)
Email – jo@samaritans.org
Self-Help app – Can be used via their website at selfhelp.samaritans.org

 

Cruse Bereavement Support

Call – 0808 808 1677 (Free)
Open –  Monday to Thursday 9:30am – 3pm
Closed –  Friday to Sunday.
Christmas & Boxing Day – Phone & Email service open 10am – 2pm.
Closed New Year’s Day

 

The Silver Line

Silver Line is a free, confidential helpline dedicated to helping older people who may be feeling isolated, confused, or lonely. Its is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Call – 0800 470 8090

 

Age UK

Age UK is a free & confidential national phone service for older people. This also includes their families, friends, carers and professionals.
Call – 0800 678 1602
Open – Every day of the year, 8am – 7pm

Our Residential Resilience project has received some positive feedback from it’s clients lately, and we want to highlight one particular story.

The team of Residential Resilience support homeless people in a temporary accommodation setting who are struggling with their mental health and day to day life.

This story covers the work of Sue, one of our members of staff, who has given her all and more to the clients she sees, just like the rest of the team. Working with homeless clients in a temporary accommodation setting can be difficult on times and have many barriers and challenges.

But this doesn’t stop the team from going above and beyond to see a positive change in their clients.

Here is the story of one client who has been supported by the Residential Resilience team, which had such a positive outcome it was impossible not to share.

*Trigger Warning* Some features in this story may contain wording, actions and emotions that some people may find upsetting.
To protect the identity of the person, we have removed any names, details and edited this story slightly to respect the rights of confidentiality to anyone involved.

 

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MY JOURNEY

In 2019 I was diagnosed with a severe illness after I had found lumps in certain parts of my body. 
I went through chemotherapy and as well as losing my hair, I lost my self-worth, I was bitter and gave up caring about everything including my family.

When I had the all clear in a few years later, I was lost, the treatment had been such a big part of my life that now I had a void.
That’s when I started drinking. To fill my days, I would binge to the point where I would drink for days and lose weekends not knowing where I had been.

My relationship with my long-term girlfriend fell apart and I lost her and my daughter who was then 3 years old. 
This is when I became homeless, I was drinking, I didn’t care.
I moved into supported accommodation early 2022 and spent my days sleeping and nights drinking with the boys. Nothing mattered, weekends were a blur.

I had met Sue from Cwm Taf Morgannwg a few times when she had been at project doing groups with the boys, she was always happy and always invited me to sit and I always said I had an appointment and would leave quickly, this was a lie, I didn’t want help I was hell bent on destroying myself. 

Things changed just before Christmas 2022 when my best friend took his own life. No reason, just did it.

I couldn’t cope.

I went out, got drunk and found myself with my belt in my hand having frightening thoughts, I didn’t want to do anything, but I didn’t want to have to deal with everything going on. It was then I knew I had to take the help.

I asked Sue if I could talk to her one day and that was the start of me working with Residential Resilience.

Every Thursday I spent an hour or so with Sue, we talked, I cried, I got angry, I was grieving, I was a drunk I was a mess and I was past caring about anything.

Sue would sit and listen, she never judged me she was always so kind, so understanding. She would always make me feel like I wasn’t a lost cause and slowly we put coping mechanisms in place, just small wins which Sue kept a record of, reminded me of them when I lapsed until eventually the small wins were adding up and I began to believe I could change.

As time went on, I began to see changes in me. I was still drinking, boredom mostly but with Sues help I started feeling more confident, more positive. When the bad days hit, I would go for a walk, just realising I was more in control made me focus more. I had started to have some contact with my daughter and would look forward to picking her up from school. The days I wasn’t seeing her were hard. Sue encouraged me to join the gym and helped me to find a cheap membership… I mean I couldn’t say I couldn’t do it when I have one of UKs strongest women telling me I could! 

I started training and 3 days a week I would go to lift weights, Sue helped me with a journal that we worked out if I trained on the weekends I was less likely to drink and have what she calls healthy coping mechanisms… it didn’t feel healthy after leg day though (Jokes).

As the 8 weeks resilience was coming to an end, one of the boys at project, a really close mate had moved on but he relapsed and took his own life. It hit me like a truck, and yes, I went to the pub. The next 3 days are a blur. I waited for Sue to arrive at her normal time, thinking she was going to be disappointed.

I had let her down, I had let myself down. 

We talked for more than the hour that day, no judgement just reassurance, just made me remember all the good I had done, the goals I had smashed and although I had binged that weekend. This was it… we set new achievable goals. It wasn’t starting again from scratch, it was part of the journey. I asked to be referred for a few more sessions and from there I just got stronger, my mental health was feeling more in control and for the first time in a long time, I felt positive.

I started a part time job, mowing lawns, doing some cheap labour and was seeing my daughter and my ex-girlfriend most days. I began to enjoy my life and was coping day to day. 

Fast forward to August 2023 and I am now in my own property. I am working 30 hours and have my daughter 2 to 3 nights a week. Whenever I feel a bit down or I have negative thoughts I go back to my reasons why, my coping mechanisms, my breathing exercises, I go and throw weights about in the gym. Making better life choices. I no longer rely on alcohol.

So far I have had 3 relapses, but each time has made me stronger. I am not a failure, I am human. I know my journey is a long one, but I have my BOX OF TRICKS as Sue calls it. 

I will always be grateful to Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind, The Residential Resilience project quite literally saved my life. My daughter still has a father. 

Thank you, Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind. Thank you, Sue, you are one hell of a woman!

 

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If you or someone you know has been affected by anything in this story, then please feel free to contact us.

Our Chat To Me service is available Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm, and is a non judgmental, completely confidential info line dedicated to providing information and support.

Alternatively, you can also reach out to Samaritans by calling 116 123 which is available 24/7.

In October we held a live concert on behalf of The High Sherriff of Mid Glamorgan, Professor Jean White.

The Office of High Sheriff is an independent non-political Royal appointment for a single year. The origins of the office date back to Anglo-Saxon times, when the ‘Shire Reeve’ was responsible to the king for the maintenance of law and order within the shire, or county, and for the collection and return of taxes due to the Crown.

In addition, High Sheriffs actively lend support and encouragement to crime prevention agencies, the emergency services and to the voluntary sector. Many High Sheriffs also assist Community Foundations and local charities working with vulnerable and other people both in endorsing and helping to raise the profile of their valuable work. High Sheriffs receive no remuneration and no part of the expense of a High Sheriff’s year falls on the public purse.

Professor Jean White, High Sherriff of Mid Glamorgan has selected Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind as her charity of the year and decided to host this event in aid of men’s mental health, with all proceeds going to the her nominated charity.

“Men’s mental health issues have been on the rise over a number of years and sadly still holds a strong stigma, which results in men failing to open up about their mental health.” – Jean White

Jean has been supporting us at Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind since her duties began as High Sherriff, attending events, visiting staff and clients and of course, holding events in aid of the charity.

Planning for this event took place a few months before as we met with Jean White & Barry Doughty (Mayor of Pencoed) at Pencoed Social Club. We went through all of the graphics for the programme which was created in house, sourced raffle prizes, approached participants and signed off on an event which brought a smile to everyone in attendance.

The event brought us live music from Cowbridge Male Voice Choir and special guest Natasha John, plus guest speakers including our very own CEO Daisy Cole, and Dave Williams from Reel Minds.

We started the evening with a warm welcome from Jean White and the compere Jon Wilkes who gave a special thanks to everyone in attendance, including the artists, guest speakers and volunteers for making the event possible. Which in turn raised over £2000, which will be used to cover 47 counselling sessions for men in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg area.

We owe a special thanks to Jean White and Barry Doughty for helping organise the event, Pencoed Social Club for providing free use of their venue, sponsors Masonic Benevolent Fund, Dewi Griffiths Distinctive Jewellery LTD, Ilesbus (Bridgend), and Maesteg Womens Institute for their generous donations, not forgetting our Volunteers of the night including Guinness World Record Holders Sue & Sam Taylor.

We aim to hold more events like this in the future in hope to spread more awareness of the work we do to support as many people as we can in the Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf areas.

If you would like to host an event for us then please contact us at fundraising@ctmmind.org.uk

Wellbeing at Work – Social Enterprise

This World Mental Health Day Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind are proud to announce a new development and support for employers, managers, and employees of businesses and organisations large and small across Merthyr Tydfil, RCT & Bridgend. Wellbeing at Work is a new social enterprise offering bespoke training and support including Mental Health First Aid. Any funds raised through our social enterprise will be reinvested back into the charity in support of our across our locality.

 

Why is this needed?

In 2022 the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reported that nearly a million workers (914,000) suffered from work-related stress, depression or anxiety (21/22), and of this number 372,000 were new cases[i]. This equates to an equivalent of 17 million working days lost to work-related stress, depression or anxiety. 51% of all work-related ill-health. Top causes for work-related stress, depression and anxiety include, after-effects of the coronavirus pandemic, cost of living crisis, lack of managerial support and organisational mental health and wellbeing awareness in the face of inevitable organisational changes and role uncertainty.

In 2020, Mind, in collaboration with Deloitte[ii], reported that the cost of poor mental health to employers has increased by 16% since 2016 to a cost of £6 billion. The report also highlights that for every £1 invested on the mental welfare of staff this will return £5 back in reduced absenteeism and staff turnover.

Through recognising signs and indicators, encouraging open conversations to reduce the stigma of mental health and providing wellbeing interventions to highlight and sustain the importance of self-care employers across CTM region could begin to turn the tide through helping employees to attain a better work- life balance through actively supporting employee’s wellbeing.

 

What we can offer

The Wellbeing at Work service will offer a wide range of bespoke support for each business or organisation. After an initial meeting to discuss your needs we will be able to deliver a variety of training sessions including Mental Health First Aid.

 

What is Mental Health First Aid?

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is internationally recognised training and gives learners the confidence to provide help to a person who is developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem, or in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until the appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves.

After the training is complete our support will continue to ensure that Mental Health First Aiders are supported to establish their role within your organisation with regular review opportunities in place to help identify emerging needs within the workforce. With these needs identified we will develop the necessary training to ensure your First Aiders are upskilled and confident to support others in the workplace.

 

Please get in touch with info@ctmmind.org.uk for further information and to arrange an informal discussion.

 

Quote: Daisy Cole CEO

“Everyone has times of mental and emotional distress, and many of us will experience mental health difficulties throughout our lives”.

“When a Mental Health First Aider offered to meet me for breakfast, she gave me hope. Something to look forward to. It may not sound much but it got me through the night. Asking questions without shame and showing understanding gave me a reason to live and begin again”.

“This is why enhancing employee wellbeing and mental health at work is essential and can even change the trajectory of your employees’ lives. Why not contact us to change their lives and build a business that supports your people to be their best through our Wellbeing at Work Social Enterprise”.

 

[i]    Work-related stress, anxiety or depression statistics in Great Britain, 2022 (hse.gov.uk)

 

[ii] Deloitte highlight poor mental health which costs employers billions – Mind

Empowering Change!
Our Path to an Inclusive and Welcoming Environment.

 

Throughout the month of September our staff  attended many training courses. Our most recent training was through Diverse Cymru to have a greater understanding of the Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic backgrounds and culture.

At Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind, we want to support as many people from all different backgrounds and cultures as we possibly can, which is why we’re putting the time into training our staff on such important topics such as the Cultural Competence Awareness Scheme.

Tony and Gareth, who represent Diverse Cymru, took our staff through a number of different topics such as Disparities, Culture, Unconscious Bias and Practical considerations to improve cultural competency practices.

This training ensures our colleagues can fully adapt their skills to suit people from all different backgrounds & cultures and in turn, make everyone feel as comfortable and welcome as each other.

The Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic Cultural Competence Scheme is funded by the Welsh Government, independently validated by the United Kingdom Investor in Equality and Diversity (UKIED) and endorsed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

The scheme has two parts: cultural competency awareness training sessions and the completion of a self-assessment evidence workbook.

The self-assessment evidence workbook is based on providing practical examples of cultural competency progress by the workplace across four assessment areas such as: Environment and Management Commitment, Communication and Consultation, Cultural Competence understanding and Professional Development, and Monitoring and Engagement.

Each of our colleagues who attended will receive a Certificate of Attainment which they will be able to display stating that they are progressing towards cultural competency in the workplace, and demonstrating they are committed to on ongoing workplace development process to continually improve their culturally competency practice, developing fairer services for all.

For more information on this scheme and how you or your workplace can take part then visit diversecymru.org.uk where you can see the scheme under their “Our Services” tab.

You can also follow Diverse Cymru on Instagram & Twitter (X)

Our very own Building Community Resilience & Well-being team have been setting up shop at Pencoed Library and will continue to do so through September & October, teaching members of the public all about Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Food & Mood and so much more.

The course provided by our member of staff, Grace, have been a great success at Pencoed Library over the past few weeks, only encouraging us to arrange more sessions like this all over Cwm Taf Morgannwg.

We were so thrilled to see 18 people attend our Anxiety & Stress Course at Rhondda Foodbank on 20^th September. There was torrential rain and wind, but the attendees who were volunteers at the Foodbank and members of ACT Church Ferndale, still attended and they all said they were not going to let some rain stop them attended the course.

The group all new each other, and were feeling anxious to start with, knowing that Grace wanted them to interact, which was optional. Everyone were soon made to feel at ease and discussed issues that caused them anxiety and stress.

We discussed, anxiety how it makes us feel and what we do as individuals to help us cope, in stressful situations. By working through the 2 hour course, everyone had a greater understanding of their own mental health, which gave them greater empathy of what families and individuals using the foodbank might be feeling and the issues they may be facing.

Grace started the conversation mentioning that she had lived experience of mental health and went on to talk about how we can battle the stigma around it, and how they could be the first person that someone has opened up to regarding their own wellbeing.

We look forward to delivering future courses to Rhondda Foodbank and other destinations around Cwm Taf Morgannwg.

If you would like to attend a course with CTM Mind, please contact info@ctmmind.org.uk.

You can keep up to date and see a full list of our courses to come by visiting our TRAINING page, where we will constantly update and plan new topics in different areas.

These courses are free to attend and CTM Mind look forward to meeting new individuals wishing to attend.
Together we can gain a greater understanding and knowledge of mental health and improve our wellbeing.

Partner with Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind

 

Welcome to Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind, your local mental health charity dedicated to creating a happier, healthier community. We believe that together, we can make a lasting impact on the well-being within our community. That’s why we’re extending an invitation to local businesses like yours to join us in our mission.

Why Partner with Us?

At Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind, we understand the vital role businesses play in shaping the community. By partnering with us, you’ll not only be supporting a worthy cause but also enjoying a range of benefits:

1. Enhance Your Brand: Showcase your commitment to mental health and well-being, aligning your brand with a cause that matters to your customers.

2. Employee Engagement: Boost employee morale by offering opportunities for them to get involved in meaningful volunteer activities or fundraising events.

3. Community Impact: Be a catalyst for positive change in your local area. Together, we can reduce stigma and improve access to mental health services.

4. Networking Opportunities: Connect with other like-minded businesses and individuals who share your passion for community well-being.

5. Marketing Exposure: Benefit from our marketing efforts and reach a wider audience through our website, social media, and events.

Ways to Get Involved

Partnering with us is easy and flexible, with various ways for your business to make a difference:

1. Financial Support: Make a one-time or recurring financial contribution to support our programs and initiatives.

2. Sponsorship: Become an event sponsor, gaining visibility and recognition for your brand while supporting a good cause.

3. Employee Engagement: Encourage your employees to volunteer, organise fundraising events, or participate in our mental health awareness campaigns.

4. In-Kind Donations: Contribute goods or services that can assist our organisation in fulfilling its mission.

5. Collaborative Projects: Explore opportunities for joint projects that benefit both your business and our cause.

Join Us Today!

By partnering with Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind, you’re investing in the well-being of your community and contributing to a brighter future for all. Together, we can break down barriers, spread hope, and create a community where everyone’s mental health matters.

Ready to take the first step towards a meaningful partnership? Contact us today by emailing media@ctmmind.org.uk to discuss how we can work together to make a positive impact on the lives of those in our community.

Let’s build a healthier, happier Cwm Taf Morgannwg together!

Coping with the loss of my Mum: A Journey of Healing 

 

We recently caught up with Hannah, one of our past employees at Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind. Hannah worked on the Active Monitoring Team which is now Supported Self Help.
Supported Self Help is a guided self-help programme that can help you with common mental health problems including stress, anxiety, depression and menopause.

At Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind, most of our employees have lived experience of mental health and are always open to sharing their stories. The reason behind this is so we can relate with our clients on their feelings and give first hand advice on the best form of treatments that worked for them on top of their support plan.

One of the ways Hannah managed to cope was through the power of writing. Hannah sent us a blog post to share her experience and how she coped through different methods, which you can read below.

 

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Losing a loved one is an experience which is difficult to put into words. In January 2022, my mother lost her battle with cancer and passed away in her sleep. Losing my mother was a life-altering experience. The loss of anyone is a unique experience that encompasses a range of emotions. In this blog post, I want to share my journey of coping with the loss of my mum, the emotions that I encountered and the healing process which helped me with the hope that this may help someone else.

 

The initial shock:

The moment I received the news of my mum’s passing, it was like my brain froze. I was in disbelief. The physical pain of the blow to my chest was so intense. The next couple of days, I was walking around in a daze. People would come up to me in the street to offer their condolences and it was like, I was there but I wasn’t really there. It was rather foggy.

My brain couldn’t accept that she was no longer with us anymore. 

 

2) Processing and accepting my emotions: 

Before losing my mum, I wouldn’t have described myself as an angry person. However, I was extremely angry with the world around me and the circumstances surrounding her death. I had never experienced so much anger before this, I almost felt unrecognisable to myself. I acknowledged my feelings rather than suppressing it and accepted it was a part of my grieving journey. Luckily, I had a safe space to express and process these emotions. Talking to my trusted loved ones helped me work through my anger and helped me towards healing. I had to allow myself the time and space to experience the range of emotions that came with grieving. I stopped comparing myself to how I feel I ‘should be’ grieving and did it in my own way. There is no right or wrong way to mourn the loss of a parent. During this time, I found writing in my journal to be a cathartic experience where I could be authentic and raw with myself. 

 

3) Support from Loved ones: 

Truthfully, some days it was difficult being around family and friends. Sometimes I would listen to my friends talk and get annoyed that they could be upset about such trivial things when I lost such an important person in my life. However, having someone who listens to you without judgement was incredibly comforting. I learned it was okay to lean on other people and put boundaries for myself too. 

 

4) My dog: 

Milo was a gift that my mum bought me which made him extra special. He brought me great comfort and joy. His unconditional love, loyalty and his intuitive nature made him an invaluable companion in my healing journey. Milo had a unique way of bringing light to my life, even in the darkest of moments. His playful nature and need for routine provided a sense of structure and a sense of purpose. He provided such a small sense of normality among the grief. 

 

5) Engaging in self-care: 

Grief can be physically and emotionally draining! Taking care of myself became a priority. For me, listening to music, bubble baths and walking in nature became an essential part of my routine. Finding activities that made me feel happy was an important aid in the healing process. Spreading kindness was a way to honour my mother’s legacy which helped me channel my grief into something positive. 

 

To conclude, Grief is a powerful and transformative experience. Everybody’s grief journey is different and deals with a range of complex emotions. While grief may feel relentless at times, it’s also a natural and necessary part of the healing process. It is crucial to allow ourselves to feel and express our emotions. Seek support from loved ones and engage in self-care.

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If you’ve been affected by anything in this story then please check out our Supported Self Help page where you can find all the information and also how to self refer.

We’d like to offer a heart felt thank you to Hannah for sharing her story with us.

If you’d like access to a Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind Thoughts and Feelings Diary then please contact us HERE or visit our office in Merthyr to pick up a hard copy.