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.
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
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
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
This Black History Month, we have put together profiles on some Black British people with histories of campaigning for social justice and equity in mental health support for Black communities. Read on to find out more about Olive Morris, Dr. Aggrey Burke, and local icon Gertrude Paul... Olive Morris (1952-79): Racial Justice Activist and Feminist Olive Morris made a huge impact in the national
If you are struggling with your mental health, there are a lot of places and people that can help. This World Mental Health Day, we are sharing info about the support Touchstone's mental health services offer and how you can access them. Take a look below to find out more about our Crisis Services, Group Support, Community-Based Support, Clinical Support, and Co-production and Peer Support: Crisis Services Touchstone offers
Our brilliant BME Dementia Service are really pleased to announce that our initiative has been shortlisted as one of three finalists and, as such, we will be presenting our initiative at the Alzheimer Europe Conference in Helsinki, Finland. The 2023 award call focused on projects, campaigns, films/videos or publications/books, which aim to address the stigma attached to dementia. In particular, it focused on initiatives and campaigns addressing the stigma
Each year, on the 10th September, communities and organisations across the world unite to raise awareness and spread messages of hope on World Suicide Prevention Day. This year, our Touchstone colleague, Susan, has put together the following information to help raise awareness of suicide, its impacts and how we can create a world where fewer people die by suicide. Please note: this blog contains references to personal experiences
September is World Alzheimer's month. To mark this month, and continue to raise awareness around Alzheimer's, dementia, and memory loss in BME communities, a member of our BME Dementia Service has put together a short blog around their experiences with the group. During the pandemic, in September 2020, I read an online article about a café group in Leeds for South Asian elders who had Dementia. Noting the name
On Friday 7th July, third sector organisations will launch Being You Leeds, a new partnership to support people in Leeds to connect with others and stay well for longer. Being You Leeds will support Leeds residents, aged 16+, through three key ways: Running fun and welcoming wellbeing groups and activities, 7 days a week, including evenings and weekends, with activities chosen by group members. Providing training and awareness-raising sessions