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 Chhor Divas (Prisoner Release Day) Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas (Liberation Day), which coincides with the Hindu festival of Diwali. On 12 November 2023, Sikhs around the world will celebrate the day of liberation. This year, a Touchstone colleague has shared some information about what Bandi Chhor Divas is. Historical Background Guru Har Gobind Sahib, the sixth Guru of Sikhs, was unjustly imprisoned by Emperor Jahangir due to
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
As we approach the festive season, one of our Touchstone staff members, Shuria, takes a moment to shed light on the significance of Eid ul-Adha, which is an important religious observance for Muslims worldwide. Eid ul-Adha, translated as the "Festival of Sacrifice," is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It follows the completion of the annual Holy