Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event when there is an opportunity for the whole of the UK to focus on achieving good mental health. The Mental Health Foundation started the event 21 years ago. Each year the Foundation continues to set the theme, organise and host the week. The event has grown to become one of the biggest awareness weeks across the UK and globally.
This years theme is Loneliness. Loneliness is affecting more and more of us in the UK and had a huge impact on our physical and mental health during the pandemic. Our connection to other people and our community is fundamental to protecting our mental health and we need to find better ways of tackling the epidemic of loneliness. We can all play a part in this.
Volunteering provides a great opportunity for you to improve your own mental health, as well as improve the mental health of others in the community. Below are a selection of suggested volunteer opportunities that provide opportunities to connect, and help those around us to live happier, healthier lives. Lots more opportunities can be found here:
Befriending:
Telephone Befriender – Carers First
Volunteer Befriender – Futures in Mind
Family Support Telephone Befriender – Home-Start Essex
Other:
Telephone Helpline Volunteer – Basildon and Thurrock Samaritans
Telephone Helpline volunteer – Citizens Advice
Women’s Only Group Volunteer – Basildon Parents 4 Parents
Day Care Arts, Crafts and Sports Volunteer – Peaceful Place
General Day Centre Assistant – Papworth Trust
Side by Side Telephone volunteer – Alzheimer’s Society
Mental Health Support – Essex Respite and Care Association
Family Mediators – Parent’s Aid
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