Farewell to the Well Life Project

The Well Life project came to an end on the 30th September 2010.  This is due to the three year funding from the national Time to Change programme coming to an end.

Hunts Mind is in the process of applying for alternative sources of funding to run a similar type project from 2011.

In terms of Well Life beneficiaries, up to June 2010 the project reached 569 people and the target for the end of December 2010 was 425!  This is an amazing achievement of which Jenny and Darren are very proud of.

In March 2010 the Well Life project held a celebration event with the aim of celebrating the successes of the project.  David Henry, Chair of National Mind kindly attended the event together with members of the national Time to Change team.  There was a very good turnout with people attending from a range of organisations.  We also had the privilege of listening to the story of Andrea who has been involved in the project and she spoke movingly about her positive experience.

Andrea’s story is as follows:

“Six months ago I was someone who wouldn’t go out on my own and I could hardly move in my own home due to the levels of anxiety I was experiencing. Then along came Darren Knight and the Well Life Project which has completely changed my life. I would have never believed that exercise could have improved my mental health and perception of myself so much. Darren’s support has been invaluable.  He treated and saw me as a human being rather than a problem needing to be fixed. With his help and support I have been able to redirect the anxiety into exercise and start to enjoy going out and being at home. He has also helped me rediscover my sense of humour which I thought I had lost forever. The project has not just benefitted me but also my personal relationships, which has also improved their mental health too. I am so grateful to Darren and the project and hope it will continue to change other people’s lives for many years to come.”

In relation to the Mental Health Promotion role of the project, stress management sessions have been delivered in the community and presentations given to a range of organisations/community groups on the work of Hunts Mind and the Well Life project.  Mental health awareness sessions have also helped to challenge the stigma linked to mental health problems and guided people to be able to recognise the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.

Both Jenny and Darren have undergone Mental Health First Aid instructors training and have delivered a series of Mental Health First Aid courses.  The aim of MHFA is to provide initial help to someone who is experiencing mental distress such as depression and anxiety disorder.  For more information visit www.mhfaengland.org      

Hairdressers within the Huntingdonshire area have also been targeted to raise awareness of mental health problems.  Hairdressers are in an ideal position to raise the subject of mental health problems.  This campaign has been run in conjunction with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Foundation Trust.  Approximately 15 hairdressers within the Huntingdonshire have been targeted.

Darren has successfully seen the sports groups grow since the project began.  A successful weekly chair exercise class has run in Ramsey and Darren has been working closely with some of the residents at Kings Ripton Court, in Huntingdon, providing them with free gym passes. In May 2010 he helped train their 5 a side football team and went with them to Milton Keynes Don’s ground to take part in the SAHA Cup.

Darren has had continued success with his one to one work which has enabled many individuals to access gyms and have the confidence to feel more socially inclusive.  

In light of the end of the Project, the Sports Group and the Community Allotment Group have been transferred across to the Day Service which people can still access.