Mental health in Well Together

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Iraqi women art and war, picture of a women holding a painting followed by the quote: “This group is good because it gives us confidence. They say, ‘You can do this’, and they support us, and it’s really good, especially for the mental health. When we go home we are more active, and we smile at our family, it’s really good, really helpful.”
According to a recent report by Oxfordshire Mind, the past decade has seen a steady increase in reported mental health issues across the UK. Despite these rising numbers, mental health funding in Oxfordshire has not kept pace.
They call for 4 key changes: sustained investment in early support, equity-focused service design, stronger support for the voluntary sector, and cross-sector collaboration.
Through Well Together, we have seen the importance of community projects for people’s mental health: from reducing anxiety and increasing confidence, to providing a space where people can share how they feel and laugh together.
Take a look at these quotes from a range of groups in Oxfordshire:

 

Abingdon Carousel Stay & Play

“I can’t tell you how much coming here has meant to me. I have extreme anxiety, and coming here has helped me so much. I feel happy here, I don’t feel anxious.”

Rose Hill Community Larder

“Before I came here I was really shy, I didn’t get into chats, but since I got to know people at the Larder, I always speak to people now. I’ve come out of my shell, getting involved in all the community, getting to know the neighbours, and that. People who I meet live near me, and if I need any help they are close by.”

AFiUK (African Families in the UK)

“Most of us, we don’t have family here. We don’t have anywhere to go, no one to talk to. The first time I came to the UK, I was only 15 and my husband went off to work in the morning and I was alone with the TV until 8 o’clock in the evening. And there were no groups running – we are lucky because there are groups here now, like this group. This is my family now.”

abandofbrothers 

“I’m really grateful for the care that I have been given by these men. It never stops. Throughout this whole process there has been so much unconditional trust, which has been good. It’s worth mentioning that the mentors do this voluntarily, I can’t really thank them enough.”

IWAW – Iraqi Women Art & War

“This group is good because it gives us confidence. They say, ‘You can do this’, and they support us, and it’s really good, especially for the mental health. When we go home we are more active, and we smile at our family, it’s really good, really helpful.”

Abingdon Damascus Youth Project

“It’s a good place to chill after a bad day at school where I can talk about my problems.”

“A nice place to go when feeling down, I can always talk about how I feel.”

“The staff always put a smile on our faces.”

Refugee Education

“It is happy making. They are always there when I need them. If I call and say I need help with something, they say don’t worry, even if we don’t know, we will find someone who will help you. They helped me with my education, getting a house, everything. They even helped me decide which A Levels to do, and I am doing my favourite, science.”

Leys CDI

“I’ve been coming here for nearly 20 years. They’re like family here. I’m in my 80s now. They call me ‘Queen Jean’. Sometimes when I’ve been away for a few days, I’ll come in and I’ll say, “I’m home!

Have a read of this blog post by Oxfordshire Mind to learn more about mental health in Oxfordshire: https://www.oxfordshiremind.org.uk/state-of-oxfordshire…/
Well Together is being delivered in partnership by OCVA and Community First Oxfordshire and has been funded by the NHS Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board.