Live Well Kent is proud to showcase and celebrate the amazing achievements of our clients and the on-going successes of the service. Below is a selection of examples of all the good work that we have accomplished.
SpeakUpCIC
Things are hard and life looks bleak, I haven't been out in over a week. I sit here day-by-day all alone, all I have for company is my phone. I get a text from a girlfriend, she is checking to see how things are my end. 'I miss my friends' I tell her, and with that she does concur. Later that day she delivers flowers and a note, 'I know how you feel as we are all in the same boat. With love from not your sister or your bother, but your sister from another mother.'
Positive poetry written by a client
SpeakUpCIC
Poor mental health is hard to take, all you want and need is a break. Feeling low and down on the floor, you don’t feel you can reach the door. To show the light that’s all you want, not the voices which taunt and taunt. Everything is black - no in-between, all you need is someone to lean, onto and listen and tell you it will be alright, we have to stand up we have to fight. Without hope there is nothing just clouds and rain, please don’t give up, you’ll be happy again.
Positive poetry written by a client
East Kent Mind
Helping people during Mental Health Awareness Week: creative pursuits can help people feel more in control of their mental health. East Kent Mind held a virtual 'make, mend & motivate' session where participants crafted medals to recognise just how much progress they've made during the lockdown. One participant said: "I love crafting - it helps me to relax."
Richmond Fellowship
Helping people during Mental Health Awareness Week: Richmond Fellowship, which provides support with mental health recovery, held an online kindness party. for its clients. People discussed ways to be kinder to themselves and each other - both good ways to strengthen your mental wellbeing during this difficult time.
SpeakUpCIC
Helping people during Mental Health Awareness Week: SpeakUpCIC allows people with mental health issues to support one another. Lately, they've been meeting online. "If I'm going through a rough patch, a chat over a cup with somebody really helps. I love helping people at the SpeakUpCIC groups. If somebody is feeling lonely, I will always speak to them and help to cheer them up. Being kind to others helps make you feel better about yourself too. It's a two-way thing." (Photo take before the coronavirus crisis.)
Rethink Sahayak
Helping people during Mental Health Awareness Week: Rethink Sahayak specialises in mental health support for the BAME (black, Asian & minority ethnic) community. It has been providing culturally sensitive support throughout the lockdown, and is working with the local Sikh Gurdwara (temple) to provide food for vulnerable members of the community. The knitting group it runs to bring people together have stayed busy - members made blankets which will be offered to the local hospital.
Working4Wellbeing
Helping people during Mental Health Awareness Week: Kind gestures go a long way, so Porchlight worker Angie is sending her clients cards with positive messages. She supports people who feel their mental health is a barrier to finding work and wanted them know we're still here for them during the lockdown.
Swale Your Way
Helping people during Mental Health Awareness Week: Swale Your Way helps people who feel isolated to come together and support one another. The friendships they've formed at Swale Your Way activity meet-ups (such as cooking workshops, knitting groups and exercise classes) have been very helpful during the lockdown. Together, they have developed a strong support network. Members regularly check in with one another and provide help if someone is struggling.
Sandra’s book art
Being creative can have a positive effect on your wellbeing. That's why we're delighted that Sandra's book folding art group - part of our community inclusion service - is really taking off in Thanet.
People power leads to new community garden
When you bring a community together, all kinds of change is possible. This amazing new public garden in Northfleet was made possible by the efforts of our 'Community Wellbeing Network'.
Brighter future for Philip
Philip was feeling trapped in unsuitable housing and his mental health was deteriorating. We helped him move into a more suitable home closer to his family and he's feeling much better.
Employment? Live Well Kent Can Help
Mental health can sometimes feel like a barrier to gaining employment. This month, we celebrate the success of three people who have gained full-time after being supported by Live Well Kent.
Boosted My Confidence
“Taking part in football therapy has helped me in many different ways. It has boosted my confidence and that helped reduce my stress, reduce my drinking and I even started managing my money better.”
Moving On Group
A client came to the St. Martin's 'moving on group' to share his mental health journey and experience of being helped by Live Well Kent. He described the service as "true and authentic, aspirational, inspiring, and encouraging."
She went over and above for me and I was able to improve my situation
“Universal Credit had become such a big mess. I would have lost my house had it not been for the help of my support worker. She went over and above for me and I was able to improve my situation.”
This has allowed me to rebuild my confidence get in the right mindset to tackle the job market again
"I lost my job after suffering a bout of anxiety and depression. It really knocked my confidence but Mind helped me ease back into employment as a temp worker without the stress of job applications and interviews. This has allowed me to rebuild my confidence get in the right mindset to tackle the job market again.”
I’m being social
“This is currently the highlight of my week. I’m unemployed and spend far too much time on my own indoors and this brings me out and I’m being social.”
Lee has left the building
Due to our belief and encouragement, Lee was able to find a new job and has managed to hold it down for 26 week. This means he's now ready to leave our support and move forward with his life unaided. We think he's a real star.
Canterbury Art Studio Exhibition
The Canterbury Art Studio Exhibition was amazing! Here is Chris with his very proud Community Navigator, Luwi. Chris sold two of his paintings at the exhibition. "I'm a professional artist now! Thank you to Luwi for believing in me and always being there "
