Well-being

Mental Health Awareness Week 10th - 16th May 2021

Do one thing…

Following a tough year for us all, this Mental Health Awareness week, 10-16 May, Cherry Trees is encouraging people to stop, reflect and focus on themselves and ‘Do One Thing’.

‘Do One Thing’ is for absolutely everyone, young or older, fit or not so fit. All you need is to ‘Do One thing’, then let us know about it - email details of what you do to [email protected]; photos welcomed!

Click here for a printable PDF of Do One Thing

Each entrant will be put in a draw for an indulgent wellness hamper.

There are 6 themes to choose from and we have just a few ideas for you to consider;

  1. Feel Good Food – try a new, healthy and nutritious food or ingredient, make a meal with 3 colours of veg in it, make a smoothie…
  2. Give – create smiles by doing something nice for a friend, colleague, stranger or neighbour; give them some flowers or offer to help with shopping. Perhaps volunteer some time to a worthy cause, give away something you no longer need, donate an item to a foodbank or give a donation to a charity…
  3. Be Active - spend time being more active, do a faster walk than usual or explore a new route, enjoy a bike ride with the family; hire a boat and go for a row down the river, go for a swim, or take the plunge and do a trial gym session…
  4. Connect - call someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, write a letter to someone you miss, connect with someone new; it might be an elderly neighbour or someone you have been meaning to speak with for a while…
  5. Notice Nature – Spend 10 minutes just watching your surroundings, put down your phone, book, move away from distractions and watch what nature has to bring; take off your shoes and feel the grass between your toes… Watch this short video, connect to the earth and breathe...
  6. Keep learning - try something ‘new’, a recipe, a book, grow something unusual, make something, sign up to a course, ask a friend to teach something you’ve been meaning to try for a while or get creative with a new craft...


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 made a brand new video for Mental Health Awareness Week 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? 

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.

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 to the image to view it. 

Banner image credit: Regina Anaejionu via Unsplash images