mental health Archives - Page 3 of 10

Andy’s Man Club to open Harrogate branch

A new branch of Andy’s Man Club is set to open in Harrogate in January.

The male suicide prevention charity, which hosts free peer-to-peer sessions at locations across Yorkshire and the north of England, will open at Harrogate College.

The weekly sessions will begin on Monday, January 22, at 7pm and are open to men aged 18 and over.

The

branch has received the backing of Emmerdale actor Dominic Brunt, who plays Paddy Kirk in the soap.

He said:

“I’m overjoyed to let you know that there’s a new Andy’s Man Club opening in Harrogate, at Harrogate College.

“So see you there: it’s ok to talk.”

The arrangements for the new branch were led by Neil Waine, who appeared in an episode of Emmerdale earlier this year when the storyline focused on men’s mental health, and saw ‘Paddy’ seek out a local Andy’s Man Club for help.

The aim of the sessions are for men to talk through their issues and help each other deal with their mental health.

Mr Waine, who is project development champion at Andy’s Man Club, said:

“We are really excited to get going in Harrogate and delighted with the college’s support.

“We have been trying to open here for roughly twelve months and once we had the right team in place it was time to find a venue.”

The charity was founded by Elaine Roberts and Luke Ambler after Andrew Roberts, Elaine’s son and Luke’s brother-in-law, took his own life aged 23 in 2016.

It held its first session in Halifax, Andrew’s hometown, and now helps to support more than 3,000 men on a weekly basis at more than 150 locations.

For more information on the Harrogate branch, follow them on Facebook here or email info@andysmanclub.co.uk.

Meet the barbershop chorus promoting older men’s mental health

A Harrogate-based barbershop chorus is promoting wellbeing for older men.

The oldest member of Harrogate Harmony Barbershop Chorus (HHBC) is 92 and the youngest is 66.

Public relations officer Leo Niemiec believes the group can help men’s physical and mental health. He said:

“You cannot worry and sing at the same time.”

Men’s mental health is a pressing concern. In 2021, men made up 74% of suicide victims in England and Wales, according to figures release by the ONS.

A report by mental health charity Mind found that 40% of men regularly feel ‘worried or low’, and Age UK has suggested that 22% of older men have depression.

HHBC, who perform acapella in four-part harmony, rehearse every week at St Peter’s Church in Harrogate town centre.

The group will be performing at the Victoria Shopping Centre in Harrogate on Friday, February 2 at 11am.

The chorus is also offering a five-week singing course for men that will begin on Valentine’s Day (February 14). The full course costs £10 and no previous experience of singing is required. Applicants do not have to audition or be able to read music, and can find out more by emailing chairman@harrogateharmony.org.uk.

Harrogate Harmony Barbershop Chorus can be booked by emailing engagements@harrogateharmony.org.uk.

Harrogate charity warns young people’s mental health crisis reaching ‘epidemic proportions’

A Harrogate charity has warned young people are facing a mental health crisis of “epidemic proportions”.

Wellspring Therapy and Training, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in November, offers affordable counselling to local people.

The charity said it faced the highest demand ever for services from young people.

Emily Fullarton, Wellspring’s executive director, said:

“There are a number of reasons, some interlinked, for this increase in demand.

“The pandemic is one, of course, as is the relentless pressure of social media and exams.

“The cost-of-living crisis has meant that many families are struggling to make ends meet and this has a knock-on effect on family dynamics and the atmosphere at home.”

Just over a third of children with a diagnosable mental health condition receive NHS treatment.

Fullarton commented:

“If this was the case for child cancer treatment there would be outrage.

“As suicide is the leading cause of death after cancer and accidental injury in children and young people, we should be taking this statistic far more seriously.”

The charity has found it difficult to increase the number of sessions on offer because of staff and funding shortages.

However, Wellspring plans to double the number of available sessions by starting a professional training course next year.

Counsellors on the course will learn how to specialise their services for young people.

Wellspring was founded in 2003 and operates in Starbeck.

The weekly session fee depends on how much you can afford.

Wellspring executive director Emily Fullarton with patron Rt Rev Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds.

Information on applying for counselling at Wellspring can also be found on their website.

If you are going through a hard time, you can call Samaritans for free 24 hours a day on 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org.

Children going through a difficult time can call Childline for free on 0800 1111.

Mind Harrogate relaunches counselling service for individuals and businesses

This story is sponsored by Mind in Harrogate District.

Mind in Harrogate District is relaunching its counselling service following a full refurbishment of its premises.

The mental health charity, which is based at the Acorn Centre on Station Parade, now has three brand-new counselling rooms with low lighting, comfortable seating, and soundproofed walls to ensure clients’ privacy.

The service is open five days a week, from 9am to 7pm.

People coming for counselling have an initial assessment with a qualified professional and will then be matched with one of Mind in Harrogate District’s counsellors according to their needs.

Tina Chamberlain, CEO of Mind in Harrogate District, said:

“Our service is very responsive to individual needs. The vast majority of the people we support come to us with multiple issues, including anxiety, depression, low mood, trauma, stress, a sense of loss or bereavement, or difficulties in their relationships.

“Life can be messy – it’s not neat and compartmentalised, and difficulties in one area can often spill over into other areas of life. We’re here to help people make sense of it all. They might not be in a really bad place – they often just have one or two areas where they need help and support.”

Tina Chamberlain, CEO of Mind in Harrogate District.

Counselling at Mind in Harrogate District costs £45 per session, with concessions for people receiving benefits. Clients can book up to 20 sessions, all at the same time each week.

The counselling service is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Yvie Lois, counselling coordinator at Mind in Harrogate District.

Tina said:

“Our counselling service is very competitively priced and people using the service can be confident that the funds generated are reinvested into supporting mental health and wellbeing services in the local community.”

Mind in Harrogate District also offers a workplace wellbeing service, including counselling sessions for employees. Sessions are charged at the same rate as for private individuals.

Yvie Lois, counselling coordinator, said:

“Our mental health is affected by all aspects of our lives which impacts on how we experience work, relationships and life. We have noticed an increased awareness and understanding surrounding mental health, which has empowered people to reach out for support.

“You don’t have to do it alone. Counselling offers a safe, confidential environment for people to talk and process the issues that are affecting their lives”

If you would like to find out more about counselling sessions at Mind in Harrogate District, see our website for details, where there is also information about counselling for businesses.

To book an initial appointment, call us on 01423 547 246, or email us at counselling@mindinharrogate.org.uk

Business Breakfast: NEOM appoints new CEO

NEOM, the home fragrance brand that has grown to international prominence from its Harrogate HQ, has appointed a new chief executive.

Isabel Malbois, who was previously managing director at the company, takes over from co-founder Oliver Mennell, who will stay on as non-executive chair. Fellow co-founder Nicola Elliott remains as creative director.

Isabel joined NEOM – whose name comes from its founders’ initials – as global commercial director in 2021, after successful stints at L’Oréal, Urban Decay and Giorgio Armani. She said:

“I’ve thoroughly loved working closely with Nicola and Oliver and the passionate and smart NEOM team over the past two years and I’m super excited about my new role as CEO. NEOM is a very much-loved wellbeing brand.

She added:

“I look forward to continuing to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Nicola day to day and having Oliver close to the business in his new role as chair to keep driving the company onwards and upwards.”

Oliver Mennell and Nicola Elliott founded NEOM in 2005, launching a range of natural fragrances designed to improve sleep, lower stress, boost energy and lift mood. Within a few years, their products had been adopted by celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow, Sienna Miller and Kate Moss.

Now based at Hornbeam Park, it has achieved B Corp certification – an internationally recognised standard for sustainability – and in its last annual accounts recorded post-tax profits of over £3 million.

Hospital rated ‘good’ by CQC

A mental health hospital in Harrogate has been praised for the “outstanding” caring nature of its staff by inspectors from the Care Quality Commission.

The regulator’s report on Cygnet Hospital Harrogate praised the high standard of care offered at the service and highlighted many areas of positive practice, saying the hospital had embedded a “person-centred” culture.

The service, on Ripon Road, is part of the Cygnet Health Care division, and offers a care service for men and women suffering with acute mental health.

The inspection, which took place in August, looked at all key lines of enquiry: safety, care, responsiveness, leadership and effectiveness. The service was awarded a Good rating overall, with Outstanding in the Caring domain.

Hospital manager Gavin Clark said:

“We’re all absolutely delighted with a good overall from the recent inspection, but to get an outstanding in the Caring domain was the cherry on top.

“That the report recognises the contribution of multiple departments in this – and not just clinical teams – felt a real validation of the entire staff group’s efforts. I feel so proud of everyone and would like to thank all of my staff for their hard work and dedication towards providing high-quality, compassionate care.”

Starbeck counselling charity Wellspring celebrates 20th birthday

Wellspring Therapy and Training, the Harrogate-based counselling and training centre, is about to celebrate its 20th birthday.

The charity provides affordable short and long-term counselling for people in the Harrogate district.

Founded in 2003, it now faces unprecedented demand for its help tackling issues such as mental health and depression.

The Rt Rev Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds and a patron of Wellspring, is leasing a service at St Andrew’s Church in Starbeck on Sunday, October 15.

Wellspring is also holding a fundraising dinner at the Crown Hotel in Harrogate on Friday November 17.

Emily Fullarton, executive director of Wellspring, said:

“This is a very special year for us. These two exciting events are celebrating how a small local charity has survived and thrived during the past 20 years and how we have tackled the problem of increasing poor mental health, anxiety and depression, which has threatened to overwhelm the NHS.

Founding director Elaine Wainaina set up Wellspring as a Christian-based organisation to help those struggling with anxiety and depression but it soon extended its services to everyone who needed them.

Wellspring moved from a terraced house in Prospect Road, Starbeck into nearby St Andrew’s Vicarage after it was bought for the charity by the Bramall Foundation.

This has enabled the organisation to expand its services in the Harrogate area since 2018 and to relieve the burden on the NHS.

Wellspring hopes to counsel 170 this year and 220 by the end of 2025. It helps children as young as eight.

Ms Fullarton said:

“In the UK, one in four people will experience a mental health issue at least once in their lifetime. According to local research, many people in Harrogate assume because it is a ‘nice town’ people don’t struggle with these issues. That simply isn’t true. There is a huge demand in Harrogate for our services and it’s increasing.

“What makes Wellspring’s work unique in is that we offer affordable long-term, open-ended counselling where needed. Unfortunately, this type of therapy is not currently widely available from the NHS. Most private counselling typically costs between £50 or more for each session, but many of our clients are unable to afford this.”

Miss Yorkshire contestant from Harrogate hopes to inspire others

A young fitness trainer from Harrogate is hoping her tilt at the Miss Yorkshire title this weekend will encourage others battling mental health problems through fitness.

Chloe McEwen, 21, will be competing in the regional round of Miss England in Doncaster on Sunday, but her immaculate appearance will leave judges none the wiser about her past struggles.

At the age of 16, Chloe was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she endured an arduous eight-month hospital stay, and her weight soared by almost four stone.

But by embracing a healthier lifestyle and a dedicated fitness regime, bolstered by an unwavering support network, she not only regained control of her life but also embarked on a mission to empower others.

Composite image of before and after photos of Harrogate Miss Yorkshire contestant Chloe McEwen.

Before and after photos of Miss Yorkshire contestant Chloe McEwen.

Former Rossett School pupil Chloe now wants to provide support and motivation to those in need. As a Level 3 fitness trainer with clients in a small private gym and classes at a Harrogate health club, she understands the challenges of self-motivation, but believes that simply maintaining discipline, even in small steps, is the key to turning things around. She said:

“The rewards of persevering are immeasurable.”

The problems Chloe had to overcome to achieve her transformation are all too common – 56% of the UK population are now registered with some form of mental health issue, and young people are disproportionately affected.

The Miss Yorkshire contest will take place at on Sunday at the Earl of Doncaster Hotel.

Choir launched in Knaresborough to ‘keep the voice and brain healthy’

A choir that hopes to improve people’s mental health has launched in Knaresborough.

Singing is Mental had its first meeting on Monday and hopes not only to improve people’s mental health, but also raise money for The Ostrich Foundation – a Harrogate charity which works towards suicide prevention in young people.

Founder Rhiannon Gayle said the choral sessions will be fun and fast-paced, with a wide variety of music genres, ranging from rock music to sea shanties and world music.

The choir will put on a small concert in January, with the hope of hosting a combined concert alongside Ms Gayle’s other choirs in July next year.

The combined concert will focus on Zimbe – a style of African music and song.

Ms Gayle said:

“The main focus of the choir is to keep the voice and brain healthy.”

Ms Gayle, who was a professional soprano before teaching and running choirs, has been a long-term advocate of the benefits of singing to both physical and mental health and says “singing as a group helps many health conditions and is often recommended by GPs”.

She has over 40 years of choral experience and has run many choirs. She currently teaches singing at Ashville College and runs a girls’ choir, Sonorous, which she hopes could be involved in the combined concert.

Singing is Mental will meet every Monday in the castle room at Gracious Street Church in Knaresborough from 7.30pm to 9pm.

Any age is welcome but children must be accompanied by a parent.

Membership costs £39 per half-term and 10% of the fee and concert profits will be donated to The Ostrich Foundation.

Those interested in joining can contact Rhiannon Gayle on 07752 468102 or email singingismental@gmail.com.

Concern over North Yorkshire Police’s decision not to attend all mental health call-outs

North Yorkshire Council has said it will ensure “suitable provision” is in place for authority-run services amid concern over police no longer attending all mental health call outs.

The government published an agreement with police and NHS this past week, which said forces would no longer attend callouts unless there was a “risk to life”.

The new approach aims to free up force time in order that those experiencing a mental health crisis are “treated by the most appropriate agency”.

However, the initiative has been met by concern with some council officials pointing out that some mental health services are already under pressure.

Richard Webb, North Yorkshire Council’s adult care director, said that while the scheme, called Right Care Right Person, had “good elements” to it, it seemed to ignore the challenges that NHS services face.

In a post on his social media, he said:

“It seems to ignore the unprecedented challenges that many NHS mental health services are facing to deliver current services, let alone absorb more crisis work.”

2/3 local implementation. However, 3 key points for me: 1) it seems to ignore the unprecedentes challenges that many NHS #mentalhealth services are facing to deliver current services, let alone to absorb more crisis work, 2) it needs to engage with councils as a whole, not just https://t.co/RGC5oJTixv

— Richard Webb (@RichardWebbNY) July 28, 2023

He added that the scheme needed to “engage with councils as a whole” as there were implications for young people, housing and public health.

The Stray Ferret asked the council how this agreement would affect services run by the local authority.

In response, Abigail Barron, North Yorkshire Council’s assistant director of prevention and service development, said:

“We are working closely with the police and health service partners to ensure that suitable provision is in place to support anyone experiencing a mental health issue.”

North Yorkshire Police said it had been operating the Right Care Right Person approach since January.

The initiative itself was first devised by Humberside Police in 2019 and was later adopted by other forces across the country.

At the time, Mike Walker, assistant chief constable at North Yorkshire Police, said:

“Our commitment to protect the most vulnerable in our communities is not changing and we will still attend where there is an immediate risk to life or a risk of serious harm.

“However, when agencies call us about issues which do not meet the threshold for police intervention under the Right Care, Right Person model, we will signpost them to the most appropriate service to take primacy.

“This puts the individual at the very heart of our decision making and means that a police officer is often not the right person to be providing this care.

“In some cases, we may need to deploy alongside medical or mental health workers where those agencies need to take primacy but there is still a risk to those involved.

“We realise this will mean some big changes for some of our partners, who have become used to calling us to help in these situations.

“That is why we have been working with mental health care providers, NHS representatives, local authorities and the ambulance service to let them know about our plans and give them plenty of time to make changes to the way they work.”

Harrogate man’s colourful garden is ‘biggest display yet’

Harrogate man Paul Ivison is once again opening his garden to the public with the aim of raising money for charity and getting a visa for his fiancé.

Paul has lived on the corner of Mayfield Grove and Mayfield Terrace for more than 15 years. He has changed his garden’s design many times and become something of a local celebrity.

Previous displays have raised money for North Yorkshire Horizons, the Disasters Emergency Committee and many more charitable causes.

This year’s garden will feature a number of themes: mental health, LGBT Pride and the danger of plastic to our oceans.

He said:

“This year’s display… is the biggest I have done in three years”

At the garden’s opening there will be information available on where to get help for those suffering with poor mental health.

As well as this there will be a colourful LGBT section. Gnomes have been painted in the six colours of the pride flag and there will be a number of other rainbow painted items on display.

On the topic of plastic in our oceans, Paul has installed a fully working bathroom suite which will be filled with plastic waste. Red water will be flowing out of it to symbolise the danger of discarded plastic.

This is all with the aim of raising money for the Samaritans.

He also wants to raise money for his partner, who lives in the Philippines, to get a UK visa and move to Harrogate.

The garden is opening Sunday 25 June at 3pm and Paul has invited neighbours and friends round to enjoy it.

Entrance is free but there will be a box by the gate for any charitable donations. Paul also has a GoFundMe page for his partner’s visa, which you can find here.

Paul Ivison's newest garden on themes including mental health.

Read more:

Read more

Read more:

If you would like to find out more about counselling sessions at Mind in Harrogate District, see our website for details, where there is also information about counselling for businesses.

To book an initial appointment, call us on 01423 547 246, or email us at counselling@mindinharrogate.org.uk

Hospital rated ‘good’ by CQC

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Read more: