This week (12-18 May) is Mental Health Awareness Week and the theme of the campaign this year is ‘community’. Read Nicky’s blog about the importance of charities in bringing people together to draw on shared experiences to support those with mental and physical health conditions.
Here’s Nicky’s viewpoint
Sometimes you might hear ‘we want a world where charities are not needed’. I couldn’t disagree more. I understand where people are coming from. It’s the desire for society to have the right support structures in place, so no one needs a charity ‘safety net’ (something I long for too!)
But the VCSE sector is so much more than that. The sector really unlocks the power of community.
If you’ve ever been going through something and had the experience of someone saying ‘I’ve been there’, you may know how empowering that can be. I think of voluntary organisations that support people with specific health conditions, or very local community groups that bring people together who live in the same neighbourhoods. I also think of some of the community research Action Hampshire’s involved in, people with shared lived experiences coming together to influence policy making, health services or communications.
Shared experiences can be reassuring and help us know we’re not alone. It can give us the confidence to raise our voices and strive for change.and can help us work together and support each other.
So many of you, our member organisations, do this vital work. You provide safe spaces for people to meet and connect with others. To share experiences. To build community. Not just with others who are alike, but also across divides and difference.
On a personal level, conversations with colleagues across the sector who share personal perspectives or struggles can be so powerful in helping you feel ‘it’s not just me’. That moment of unmasking, can make all the difference.
We really want to build our members’ community, so do please consider coming along to the next Members’ online brunch, so we can all get to know each other better. We’d love to see you!
Follow this link to join our next Members-only Breakfast Club meeting
Follow this link for help and resources from the Mental Health Foundation
