Mental Health Awareness week this year is taking place between 18th and 24th of May and this year the theme is Kindness. There are lots of brilliant organisations in Dundee who provide support for mental health, and we have reached out to some of these organisations to ask them about their work.
First up is Wellbeing Works –
Can you tell us a bit about what your organisation does?
We have been providing mental health support for people who face severe and/or enduring mental health challenges in Dundee for more than 50 years. We provide one to one and group support, helping people to move towards recovery, and better wellbeing.
Usually we operate 3 main areas of service:
Support Service – This provides opportunities for people to build confidence and meet new friends through getting involved in activities. A wide range of groups and activities are on offer including music, walking, cooking, arts and crafts, discussion groups and special interest groups.
Wellbeing Works Outdoors – Greenbuds is our flagship outdoor activity programme where our participants are able to get involved in conservation work, tree planting, clearing paths or beaches, and environmental arts and crafts, and sharing skills. Working in partnership with other agencies, our outdoor programme aims to improve the mental health and wellbeing of participants and communities, with co-production at the heart of our activities. We also have an allotment on the Law for those who are interested in growing and gardening.
Peer Support Service – We have recently introduced a new team of Peer Workers who are able to use their own lived experience of overcoming mental health challenges to help others on their recovery journey. This service aims to support people to engage with our projects, to promote inclusion, and to support people to progress towards their goals.
How have you had to adapt due to Covid-19?
We are currently not able to run our groups and activities, and instead, we are maintaining contact with our participants through telephone, email and video conferencing technology. We are aware that many of our participants are not comfortable or familiar with using technology, so we have been sending our regular information and activity packs that include wellbeing tips, puzzles, healthy recipes, art challenges and mindfulness exercises. We also include a personal letter from one of our staff members, sharing how they are managing their own wellbeing during lockdown.
Our Peer Team have joined forces with DVVA and other partners to provide a Peer Support Line to reach out to people in the community.
Why is mental health awareness important to your organisation?
Mental health awareness is important to Wellbeing Works and is one of our key objectives. It is important to us to share the message that we all experience mental health and wellbeing challenges, to help reduce stigma and to educate, inform and empower people. However, we also want to promote the idea that you can develop wellbeing skills and learn how to support your own mental health and wellbeing.
Do you have a favourite quote relating to mental health and positive mental wellbeing?
There are so many, but today our quote would be:
“You can do anything, but you can’t do everything”
How can people contact you?
Tel:01382 227288
Email:hello@wellbeingworksdundee.org.uk
www.facebook.com/wellbeingworksdundee
www.twitter.com/wellbeingworks3
www.wellbeingworksdundee.org.uk
