Blog

LGBTQ+ History Month 2024

LGBTQ+ History Month celebrates and remembers key LGBTQ+ figures, movements and events from history. To mark this important month at Touchstone, our brilliant LGBTQ+ Staff Network have organized a range of events for a mix of staff and the public to celebrate LGBTQ+ history and reflect on continued struggles for LGBTQ+ rights. Read on to find out what we’ve been up to, as well as the public events happening

2024-02-13T13:58:58+00:0013th February 2024|Blog, LGBT History Month|

Launch of Here For You: Out of Hours Support in a Safe Space

On February 1st, Touchstone brought together our Safe Space and Well-Bean Crisis Cafes across West Yorkshire with one new name and updated look: Here For You, an out-of-hours service, offering face-to-face support for any of us who are feeling down or struggling to cope with our thoughts. Since first opening for 2 nights a week from Lincoln Green Community Centre in 2016, the Well-Bean Crisis Café service has grown

2024-02-05T11:33:29+00:005th February 2024|Blog, Crisis support, Mental Health, Suicide Prevention|

Parent Mental Health Day

The period of planning, expecting, or caring for a new baby is often seen as one of happiness and excitement. In reality, many people can experience a range of mental health issues during this time, from anxiety and depression to PTSD and psychosis. On Parent Mental Health Day, our LMWS team have written the below blog to raise awareness of mental health challenges often experienced during the perinatal period

2024-01-26T09:46:36+00:0026th January 2024|Blog, Mental Health, parent mental health|

Blue Monday 2024

We know that Blue Monday is a controversial date. But we know that January, and Winter, can be a particularly hard time for many. So today, we've put together a video of our lovely colleagues sharing some of the inspirational quote and ideas that get them through the darker days. Watch our video below for inspiration - we hope it brightens up your Monday just a little... 

2024-01-15T16:09:55+00:0015th January 2024|Blog, Mental Health|

Launch of 21st Century Man Report and Street Art in Leeds

Men's Health Unlocked network are excited to announce the publication of their report, 21st Century Man: A Study into Modern Masculinity, and their launch of complementary mural and street art across Leeds. This report and artwork, including a mural by Burley Bansky and five other street art pieces, are a result of the network's consultation with over 700 men in Leeds on the subject of masculinity in the 21st

2024-01-24T12:22:03+00:0012th January 2024|Blog, Men's Health|

Winter Wellbeing Booklets 2023

Winter can be a challenging time for many of us. If you need support over the festive break, there are places that can help. Touchstone have put together Winter Wellbeing booklets for the different areas we work in. They contain information about mental health support, domestic violence and abuse support, other key support, free community meals, food and energy support, and more. Please click on the links below

2023-12-22T11:05:46+00:0012th December 2023|Blog, Christmas, Crisis support, Mental Health, Winter|

16 Days of Action 2023

16 Days of Action to End Gender-Based Violence takes place from the 25th November-10th December. In this blog, we will outline what 16 Days of Action is and Touchstone's plan to raise awareness of domestic abuse and violence during this time.  Please note: some of the content below may be difficult to read - please do take care. The article also contains information on where you can get support.

2024-02-07T12:45:17+00:0027th November 2023|16 Days of Action, Blog|

Trans Day of Remembrance

At Touchstone, we believe everyone should be able to live full lives as their true selves. We know that this is only possible if we create environments where people are safe to do so. This Trans Day of Remembrance, we join the calls for a better world where trans people are truly safe to live as themselves. We know trans people in the UK have been living through a

2023-11-20T10:31:56+00:0020th November 2023|Blog, LGBT*|

Celebrating Bandi Shor Divas

Bandi Shor Divas (Prisoner Release Day) Sikhs celebrate Bandi Shor Divas (Liberation Day), which coincides with the Hindu festival of Diwali. On 12 November this year, Sikhs around the world will celebrate the day of liberation. This year, a Touchstone colleague has shared some information about what Bandi Shor Divas is. Historical Background Guru Har Gobind Sahib, the sixth Guru of Sikhs, was unjustly imprisoned by Emperor Jahangir due

2023-11-10T16:28:24+00:0010th November 2023|Blog, Faith and religion|

Touchstone’s BME Dementia Service Wins Alzheimer Europe’s Anti-Stigma Award

In October 2023, Touchstone’s Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Dementia Service received Alzheimer Europe’s Anti-Stigma Award. The award recognises an “outstanding initiative aimed at combating stigma and promoting a positive image of dementia and people living with dementia”. The team also presented their work during the Networking Dinner of the 33rd Alzheimer Europe Conference in Helsinki. Ripaljeet Kaur, the service’s manager, says: “We are so honoured to be recognised

2023-11-03T15:41:38+00:003rd November 2023|Blog, Dementia|