For anyone who is employed, self-employed or an apprentice and needs help with anything that is affecting their mental health the following organisations have information and support available:
Able Futures can help mental health at work by providing advice, information and support.
Able Futures delivers the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.
Remploy delivers the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.
Young People Drug And Alcohol Team (YPDAAT) provide information, advice and support for young people (up to the age of 19) who are misusing drugs or alcohol. They can offer confidential information, help and support in cutting down or quitting, one-to-one sessions with your own Keyworker, group work and complimentary therapy sessions to help with relaxation.
TheSite.org is an information service website for young adults around a whole range of issues including substance misuse.
If you are a young person that has been affected by someone else’s substance misuse, the following organisation can provide help:
- NACOA – young people affected by their parent’s drinking (helpline 0800 358 3456)
talktofrankhttps://www.rehab4addiction.co.uk/country-wide/drug-alcohol-rehab-in-st-helens
St Helens Intergrated Recovery Services, Change, Grow, Live (CGL)is a social care and health charity that works with individuals who want to change their lives for the better and achieve positive and life-affirming goals. They can provide confidential information, advice, treatment options and support for adults in St Helens.
More general information about drug use and effects can be found via FRANK (or 0300 123 66 00)
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) is about supporting men, particularly those aged 15-35. It’s about giving you a break, a way of getting things off your chest and sorting your head out. If you’re going through a tough time and live on Merseyside then they could help you get back to enjoying your life. They provide a helpline (0800 58 58 58) and a website full of information, blogs and stories on issues relating to depression and suicide.
North West Borough Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust -Physiotherapy service can offer information and advice on musculoskeletal conditions and how to manage them. See the link below for further information
NWBH PHYSIOTHERAPY
Individuals can be referred via their GP or self refer using the online self referral form.
St Helens Parks & Ranger Service manage all the local parks and habitats in the borough. There is information about all parks, walks, trails and countryside attractions on their website. Click here to visit the Sankey Valley Country Park website.
The Friends of Griffin Wood, established in 2007, is a community group of volunteers who work to celebrate and care for Griffin Wood, to the south of St Helens. The group have previously held tree/bulb planting events, helped build a bird hide and sown wildflower seeds.
The St Helens Ramblers Association offers a varied programme of Saturday and Sunday walks in the north of England and Wales (such as Delamere Forest, south Lancashire), many of which have a private coach organised as transportation – the group is a friendly mix of people from the St Helens area, and any newcomers are always made welcome. There is also a ramblers group for users of power wheelchairs/mobility scooters called Wheelie Walkers.
Ashtons Green Community Allotments has an extended community area to help children and young people learn more about healthy eating and growing food.
Planet St Helens is a community network and forum promoting local action in support of sustainable development., educating people about the environment and its protection.
Taking notice of the world around you is one of the ‘five ways to wellbeing’ *
Taking notice and being aware of the world around you enhances your understanding and helps to reaffirm your values and what matters to you – recognise, appreciate, savour and reflect on everyday moments. Examples of taking notice may include:
- Noticing the beauty of nature
- Recording your thoughts and feelings
- Appreciating a piece of art, culture or architecture
- Valuing time spent with others
- Savouring something you really enjoy e.g. food, sport or a special occasion
Suggestions for things to ‘take notice’ of and appreciate in St Helens include:
- Billinge Hill
- Carr Mill Dam
- Citadel Arts Centre
- Dream
- Godfrey Pilkington Art Gallery
- Haydock Park
- Inglenook Lavender Farm
- Langtree Park (Home of Saints RLFC)
- Mash Gallery
- Northwest Museum of Road Transport
- St Helens Theatre Royal
- World of Glass
There are also many fine parks, pubs/restaurants, golf courses, listed buildings and areas of natural beauty to explore – check out www.visitsthelens.com for further information.
* source: Foresight Project Mental Capacity and Wellbeing (2008)
St Helens Camera Club is open to anyone interested in learning more about photography. They hold meetings at the Bishop Road Police Club (WA10 6SX) on Mondays at 8pm (every week between September and April, and every fortnight between May and August).
Photographic Minds was established as a social group for adult mental health service users, aiming to improve their wellbeing and empowerment by focusing on the activity of photography.
St Helens has libraries throughout the borough and they offer much more than standard loans of books, CDs and DVDs. For example they can offer free access to computers and the internet, skills courses (e.g. computers for absolute beginners), reading groups and facilities for children and teenagers.
For those unable to access their local library there is also a free home delivery library service. A first referral visit will be carried out at your home to gain an idea of your reading tastes, and then you will be visited every four weeks by a member of the Community Services Team with a selection geared to your choice – click here or contact 01744 677 898 for further information.
Joining a library is free – all you need to do is pop down to one of the libraries with two forms of ID and complete a short form. An online list of all libraries in St Helens (including opening times, locations and services) can be found here.
Learning and trying new things/skills and rediscovering old hobbies is one of the ‘five ways to wellbeing’ *
You are never too old or young to try or learn something new, and learning doesn’t have to involve being in a classroom. Achieving a new skill or piece of knowledge can improve self-esteem and confidence. Examples of learning can include:
- Trying to cook a new recipe
- Learning phrases in a different language
- Improving your computer skills
- Reading a book
- Watching a documentary
- Signing up for a course or class
- Taking up a new hobby
Organisations in St Helens that provide opportunities to keep learning include…
- The Wellbeing Project
- Community Centres
- Libraries
- Age UK
- University of the Third Age
- St Helens Council Adult & Community Learning
* source: Foresight Project Mental Capacity and Wellbeing (2008)
