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
In a newly released report, Mentally Healthy Leeds, a Touchstone service, have undertaken research into the effects of the Cost of Living Crisis on the mental health of people in Leeds. Read on to find out more… This research looks at the effects of the ‘Cost of Living’ crisis on the mental health of people in Leeds, as well as trying to understand what forms of support were effective
Mentally Healthy Leeds, a Touchstone service, have undertaken research into Disability In the Pandemic, asking "How has the pandemic specifically affected the lives and mental health of disabled people in Leeds?" Read on to find out more... This report looks into how disabled people have been particularly affected by the pandemic. We used a survey method to identify ways in which COVID and the policies and precautions associated with
This Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, our Perinatal Mental Health Lead, Katie, is here to raise awareness of perinatal mental health and help you find support. Did you know 70% of those who experience mental health concerns during pregnancy and the 1st year of parenthood will hide and underplay their illness? This week is about raising awareness, reducing stigma, and changing that reality together. Learn more about perinatal mental
Today is Time to Talk day 2023. To mark this day, Steph, who works in Mentally Healthy Leeds and as an Anti-Stigma Champion, has put together the following blog. Time to Talk Day began in 2011, when the then Time to Change launched a four-week television advertising campaign to promote its new slogan: "It's Time to Talk. It's Time to Change." The campaign was fronted by a number of
In 2021 and 2022, Mentally Healthy Leeds carried out community research into bereavement and loss during the pandemic. The below insight report is the outcome of this research. To gather these insights, Touchstone worked with local organisations, including HOPE Bereavement Services and Leeds Bereavement Forum, to understand how the process of grief was affected by COVID restrictions, and capture the experiences of people in Leeds. Our research shows that
We know Winter can be a challenging time for many of us. If you need support over the festive break, there are places that can help. Our Winter Wellbeing booklets for the different areas we work in can be found below. 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
This week is Baby Loss Awareness Week. We know that so many people, including many at Touchstone, have experienced losing a baby, whether in pregnancy or shortly afterwards. To mark this, Yasmin, from our My Plan Perinatal Mental Health service, has put together some information about how they can support people who have experienced baby loss. Baby Loss Awareness Week is held annually to specially mark the loss of
In 2020, Kimberley, founder and manager of Leeds and Kirklees Well-Bean Crisis Cafes, experienced a car crash that led to her living with a condition called post-concussion syndrome. This condition describes a variety of symptoms caused by trauma to your brain or head, such as vestibular issues, disorientation, vertigo, short- and long-term memory issues, changes in mood, and difficulties with sensory processing. The effects of the condition caused Kim
As Baby Loss Awareness Week reaches its 20th year, a Touchstone staff member, Liz, wanted to share her experience of baby loss. Baby Loss Awareness Week is an opportunity to bring people who have been affected by losing a baby together as a community to share their experiences and feel less alone. If you would like support or to find out how to get support, please read on. Content