This Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re celebrating Community

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week and this year we are celebrating the power and importance of community for our mental health.

Neil Blanchard, our CEO, reflects on what community means:

“For me, community is not just about the places we work in or the people we support. It is also about the way we show up for one another as colleagues. Whether it’s sharing knowledge, offering a listening ear, or finding creative ways to solve problems together, that sense of community runs through everything we do. At a time when so many people are feeling isolated or under pressure, the work we do to build connection and trust has never been more important.”

At Southdown, we believe that creating space for people to connect over shared interests or lived experiences is vital. Recently, members of our team launched a new Employee Network called Wellbeing Matters, designed to bring people together in simple, meaningful ways.

Becky, one of the co-founders, shares:

“By building connections within our local community, we can support each other’s mental health and wellbeing. Being part of a community can help us share interests, make new friends, and increase our sense of belonging.

One of the reasons we started the Wellbeing Matters Employee Network is to learn from each other in a fun, safe space. Just getting together to play a board game, talk about a book, or go for a 20-minute walk with someone reduces stress, encourages social interaction, and builds confidence – all of which positively impact our wellbeing.

A great example is the jigsaw table in one of our offices. It’s a small step away from the busy working day, and a chance to connect with colleagues in a different way – even if it does get a little frustrating!”

These small activities may seem just that – small – but they can offer enough of a lift to support someone who may be struggling.

UOK mental health partnership: Events and activities

Community is central to UOK – a partnership of 20 mental health support services across Brighton & Hove and East Sussex, delivered by Southdown. The network supports our communities with their mental health and wellbeing, offering a wide range of psychosocial, one-to-one, education and groupwork initiatives to suit different people with varying levels of need.

To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, UOK, with support from Southdown:

• UOK Brighton & Hove ran a social and community campaign around Community and The 5 Ways of Wellbeing. 
• UOK team visited our community services and groups during MHAW and handing out postcards themed around the campaign and The 5 Ways of Wellbeing. This included having conversations with people and asking them how they support their wellbeing whilst promoting UOK. 
• Brighton & Hove UOK frontline workers event – at Isetta Square in Brighton on the 13^th May. Focused on UOK’s frontline workers, the event was all about coming together, build relationships, take part in some games and activities, and spread mental health awareness.
• UOK Mental Health Talk ‘Building Community through Service’ – on Tuesday, 21^st May at 6pm, UOK will be hosting an inspiring mental health talk at Brighthelm Centre, Brighton with a talk and piano performance by Daniel Wilsher – award-winning speaker, TEDx Brighton guest, and finalist of Channel 4’s The Piano. You can get tickets here.
   

This Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re celebrating the small things that make a big difference.

Mental Health Foundation has created this handy document which lists the top tips to get involved with your community and boost your mental health.