Well-being

Here for you 

Here at Cherry Trees, everyone’s mental health and well-being is important to us. We have worked together to develop a collection of helpful resources for you to make sure that whether you are a parent, carer, child, staff member or volunteer, you can see you are as important as everyone else and if you aren’t OK, we can help.

If you aren’t feeling yourself, struggling to keep positive or just can’t see a way to make things better – please get in touch:

  • Contact our mental health and well-being advocates by email:  [email protected]  You will get a confirmation email and we will then be in touch, please let us know the best way to contact you.
  • If you would like to speak with someone, just call: 01483 222506 and ask "Have you got 5 minutes?". We always have time to talk and will help you find a solution, whatever the issue may be.
  • The NHS Volunteer Responders can also provide a free telephone ‘check in and chat’ if you are feeling isolated. Call 0808 196 3646 to register for this service.
  • Urgent help in a crisis - click to access urgent NHS help. In an emergency you should call 999.

Supporting the whole family...

At Cherry Trees, we are here to support the entire family. In our experience we know that many of our dads juggle care and working and that the issues they face and how they express them might be different to how they are experienced by women. 

Thinking about our dads and the male perspective on emotions we have a great video launched for Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 (but good to view anytime) which covers taking care of yourself from a male perspective.

Skunk Anansie Drummer Mark Richardson talks to Cherry Trees Trustee Simon Runton about unpacking difficult emotions and male vulnerability. What is it and why does it matter? 

Taking care of yourself and your well-being - helpful resources 

There is a wealth of information and advice available for you - here are the ones we feel are most helpful.

  • The government have a comprehensive overview of ways to help yourself and others manage mental health and well-being well during the pandemic - it's full of links, tips and helpful advice. Worth a read. 
  • Cherry Trees now has a Welfare Fund set up to provide financial stop-gaps to our families facing moments of financial need. Visit our new Welfare Fund pages.
  • Look after your physical well-being, it impacts you emotionally and mentally. Try to eat well and be active, getting out for a walk once a day at least. 
  • This is a great eating well link, with tasty recipes.
  • Getting active in 10 minutes - this is worth a look.
  • If cycling is your thing then this cycling community link is a great illustration of the importance of a support and friendship network, being able to contact someone and the difference that can make.
  • Get enough sleep is often easier said than done, but there are really practical tips here.
  • Anxiety can build up and be very difficult to deal with - these are helpful strategies and links for you.
  • If you feel stressed or your mood is low, there is practical advice here.
  • Do things you enjoy - it distracts from negative feelings. 
  • Take time to relax and focus on the present. 

Change and its effect on us

The pandemic has unexpectedly disrupted our routines and livelihoods, affected our family, friends and way of life.

For some, there have been positive changes which improved their well-being, such as greater work flexibility, reduced pressures from social situations, more family or 'me' time, less school pressure and a stronger community spirit.
However, this is not the same for all of us, with many feeling worried, overwhelmed, anxious, sad, frustrated or lonely.

These feelings are completely understandable when life alters in a way which is sudden and out of our control.

We have developed a helpful booklet for you called 'Our Minds Matter' to support your well-being. It is available at Cherry Trees, or you can click the image to view it. 

Supporting ourselves and each other

For many, fears will naturally subside over time but there are also many things we can do to help ourselves and each other in times of adversity; be it the pandemic, loss, financial, relationship, work, school or friendship concerns.

Support from families, work and your community is really important.

Remember, your Cherry Trees community is always here for you. 

Banner image credit: Regina Anaejionu via Unsplash images