This week marks Mental Health Awareness Week (9th-15th May), so staff from Wrexham mental health and wellbeing charity Advance Brighter Futures (ABF) have been out and about to join in with sharing this year’s message that together we can tackle loneliness.
To kick off staff were invited to Wrexham Street Market in the town centre by Vicky from the Co-op, as ABF are one of the causes that Co-op members can choose to support through their membership.
Zoe Whitehead, ABF’s Business Development Officer was at the street market, and said: “As well as being a great atmosphere and busy place to be able to tell people about the charity, it was also a really good event for people who may be feeling lonely to get involved and chat to others.”
Next up Zoe was at Glyndwr University for its Mental Health Fayre, alongside many other organisations, where students could come along to learn about mental health awareness and what can be done to tackle loneliness.
Zoe said: “It was great to see the University promoting mental health to the students so well and seeing all the support available.”
Lastly, Yellow and Blue kindly hosted Zoe and her stand for the day where she was able to chat to customers, volunteers and staff at YaB, sharing the work ABF does as well as learning about how YaB are making a huge difference in the community.
Zoe added: “It’s been really great getting out and about for Mental Health Awareness Week. I’ve loved getting out into the community and chatting about all things mental health and ABF. I’d like to give special thanks to Vicky from the Co-op, everyone at Glyndwr University, and Sam and the team at Yellow and Blue for helping to raise awareness of mental health this week.”
Loneliness is a huge contributor to mental illness, and it is known to affect 1 in 4 people. As part of this year’s theme the Mental Health Foundation are encouraging people to use the hashtag #IveBeenThere and ABF are proud to support this message especially since everyone involved in the charity has some experience of mental illness and loneliness.
ABF staff are keen to let everyone know that as well as the services available through the charity there are many other resources available in the community and online for those experiencing loneliness.
If you want to find out more about the Mental Health Foundation who set up Mental Health Awareness Week click the link below:
Co-op members can support ABF by downloading the Co-op App and choosing ABF as their cause to support, or they can visit https://membership.coop.co.uk/causes/61891
Through the membership scheme for every £1 you spend on selected Co-op branded products and services, 2p will go into your membership account, plus your chosen charity gets 2p as well.
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