Craig Bullard – My RED January Journey
My story with Suffolk Mind began last January 2019; I’d set a challenge with a team of friends to run 24 miles every day for 7 days on a treadmill. During the organisation of this event, I was told about RED January and how the month long challenge was growing more and more popular each year – and that’s when I said I’d take part in January 2020 – and now here we are.
My target for RED January was to exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes a day, ranging from a 1 mile walk on my lunch break at work, to a 5.5 mile run on my days off. In terms of my own physical fitness, I would easily put myself in the “more could be done” category so RED January was the start of a better, healthier year physically and mentally, so what a great way to kick it off.
After such a busy but also very festive December (I am a butcher, no more needs said does it?), I was really looking forward to getting started. I attacked the first few days of the challenge head-on clearing the cobwebs out of the muscles and joints I hadn’t used for a very long time. I knew I was going to ache as it was a shock to the system, so lots of stretching and foam rolling was needed to keep as fresh as possible.
As we headed towards the middle of the challenge, I had the great opportunity of getting back into the gym at Cross-Fit Orwell, run by Darren and Kirsty – a weeks worth of 30 minute lunchtime workouts were a fantastic way of getting the job done but also kept it interesting. It’s always a superb atmosphere and environment to train in there, so a thank you needs to go to them for giving me the chance to get involved.
The biggest thing I have achieved over this month is the 5.5 mile runs – the first run I completed I had to walk the two major uphill stages. However, on day 26 I was greatly surprised when I ran the whole 5.5 miles and even made it up the two hills. So even from this month alone, physically I have improved, but we have only just begun!
RED January is a challenge, but one performed within yourself where you can set your own targets. The best bit about it is that all the hard work and effort you put in, is for you. It’s a great way to start a new year, allowing you time to focus on yourself and set goals for the rest of the year along the way. The goal I have set myself for 2020 is to be the best me I can be physically and mentally, and without RED January, I wouldn’t have even begun my journey.
Author: Kristina Brinkley
Chairman’s Charity Walk – one stage down, nine to go!
The Chairman of the Suffolk County Council, Councillor James Finch, who has chosen Suffolk Mind as his charity of the year for 2019/2020, began his mission of completing 10 fundraising walks, along the Stour Valley Path for Suffolk Mind at the weekend. He was joined by Jeannette Finch and Juliet Allerton. In his own words, this is how they got on… (more…)
Author: Kristina Brinkley
The Value of Space…and the Cost of Congestion
COMING SOON: Spring 2020
At Quay Place in Ipswich in Spring 2020, Suffolk Mind is organising a conference looking at how space can be a positive influence on mental health. Suffolk Mind’s Ezra Hewing looks at the value of space, and how it can be a barrier or an enabler to getting key emotional needs met.
If you’re interested in being part of the debate, perhaps contributing research or speaking at our conference, email ginny.idehen@suffolkmind.org.uk. (more…)
Author: Kristina Brinkley
Suffolk Food Hall – Charity of the Year
The team at the Suffolk Food Hall have chosen Suffolk Mind as one of their chosen charities of the year for 2019 and are supporting us with many events and activities throughout the year. They update us on what they’re doing for Suffolk Mind.
Author: Kristina Brinkley
Sleep: Have you found your sleep pattern?
Staying well – we know we need the right diet and regular exercise. And we know we need the right amount of sleep. But why are so many of us struggling with poor sleeping patterns? Ezra Hewing, Head of Mental Health Education at Suffolk Mind explains more.
Finding the right sleep pattern
Are you or is somebody you know stuck in a bad sleep pattern? As any parent knows, trying to get small children into the habit of going to bed and waking up at the right time can be hard work – especially when parents are need of sleep too! Establishing regular going to bed and getting up time takes effort. And that’s because sleep patterns are a learnt behaviour – for children and adults.
Author: Kristina Brinkley
Achievement: small steps are the way to start
Written by Ezra Hewing, Head of Mental Health Education, Suffolk Mind
We all need to feel that we are achieving things and growing. These don’t have to be huge achievements either. Achievements can be small tasks, like cooking a meal for ourselves, which gives us the sense that we are in control of our lives and managing. Achievement is good for our self-esteem; especially if we are doing something we are good at and learning to get better.
Author: Kristina Brinkley
What does stress tell us?
April is Stress Awareness Month but what is stress? The Head of Mental health Education at Suffolk Mind, Ezra Hewing tells us more…
Mental health is a spectrum…
The way we see mental health has changed. Thanks in part to celebrities being more open about their mental health, we feel better able to talk about our mental too. All of us have mental health and our mental health can fluctuate too – depending in part on how we respond to stress. (more…)
Author: Kristina Brinkley
How to Nourish the Brains of Our Young People
Written by Charlie Green, Emotional Needs & Resources Trainer at Suffolk Mind and Lead Trainer on Early Minds and Easy Minds Training Program reaching Schools in Suffolk.
We all know that helping to nurture the mental health of the young people in our lives needs to be a priority, but in this busy world we live in, how do we go about it while keeping all the other plates spinning?
Below are 5 bite sized ideas to help you nourish the brains of young people in your life. (more…)
Author: Kristina Brinkley
Attention – an emotional need and a resource
Written by Ezra Hewing, Head of Mental Health Education, Suffolk Mind
Attention is an important emotional need. Sometimes people who are obviously in need of attention are dismissed as needy attention seekers, but this is unhelpful and doesn’t support their emotional health and mental wellbeing. We all need attention and we could help each other in healthier ways by exchanging positive attention. (more…)
Author: Kristina Brinkley
Jon Neal: My RED January experience
As Jon Neal, the Chief Executive of Suffolk Mind gets ready for RED January 2019, he reflects on his experience last year.
When I first heard about RED January I thought it sounded like an interesting way to raise money for Suffolk Mind through a bit of sponsorship activity.
I hadn’t taken part in any meaningful physical activity (running around after my kids aside) since playing badminton in my early thirties…occasionally. And before then, not since doing PE at school…which I dropped in my options aged 14.
So I wasn’t exactly the fittest person around. (more…)
Author: Kristina Brinkley
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You still have time to register for the Suffolk Mind Fire Walk on Wednesday 26th February. Sign up on our website: www.suffolkmind.org.uk/product/fire-walk/
Fantastic to be able to provide our training to GB Railfreight!Our group of Wellbeing Champions embarked on their first training session with Suffolk Mind today.
By creating a community of Wellbeing Champions across all areas of the business, we aim to offer supportive and open environments for staff to talk about their mental health.
Upon completing their training, our Wellbeing Champions will be assigned to offer localised support and raise ideas that may make a real difference to people's lives at GBRf.
#WellbeingChampions #MentalHealth
RED January Suffolk Feedback
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Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.We're looking for volunteers at our Heritage and Wellbeing Centre in Ipswich. Come and join our friendly team.We've got lots of exciting volunteering opportunities at Quay Place. Come and join our friendly team!
THREE DAYS TO GO!
Support our Principal Nikos Savvas and his daughter Magdalene as they embark on a #FireWalk challenge to walk over hot embers to raise funds for @SuffolkMind on Wed 26 Feb.
Donate online:
https://suffolkmind.org.uk/product/nikos-and-magdalene/
#MentalHealth @suffolkchamber @SCoCCEO
There's still time to sign up to the Fire Walk for Suffolk Mind! Register on our website: https://www.suffolkmind.org.uk/product/fire-walk/ #firewalk #fundraising #mentalhealth #challenge
Fundraising Events
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Emily Burrell (1)
Event Date: 28/06/2020
Approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK suffer from mental health problems each year. So I have decided to do a skydive in aid of Suffolk Mind to try and help local people in need of support.
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Fire Walk (44)
Event Date: 26/02/2020
The East of England Co-op are hosting a firewalk to raise money for Suffolk Mind, on Wednesday 26 February 2020 at Ufford Park Hotel in Woodbridge.
Would you like to rise to the challenge of walking on hot coals? Click here t
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John West Great East Swim (1)
Event Date: 20/06/2020
Support those who are supporting Suffolk Mind by taking on the John West Great East Swim on Saturday 20th June 2020. -
Kelly Porter - Harwich half marathon (1)
Event Date: 05/04/2020
Kelly Porter is taking part in the Harwich half marathon for Suffolk Mind.
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Link Mortgage Services (1)
Event Date:
Dress down days at Link Mortgage Services. -
Natasha runs the London Marathon for Suffolk Mind (1)
Event Date: 26/04/2020
Natasha Miles is our first ever Suffolk Mind marathon runner and she's running in memory of her partner, Nick Dinsdale.
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Oliver Southgate (1)
Event Date: 10/05/2020
This year, my new year resolution is to help raise awareness of mental health. So what better way than to raise money for a charity that is also personally very close to me!
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Red Gables supporting Suffolk Mind (1)
Event Date: 23/11/2019
On Saturday 23rd November, 12pm - 4pm, Red Gables is putting on a fantastic event including live music, a raffle and bric-a-brac all for Suffolk Mind. -
RED January (6)
Event Date: 01/01/2020
Sponsor our REDers who are challenging themselves to get active every day, their way this January.
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Start a smile (1)
Event Date:
Jade Berry at the Purple Pumpkin Creative Studio will be hosting quarterly events for people to paint a small item like a tile, start or heart for someone who's having a hard time. All the proceeds will go to Suffolk Mind. -
Suffolk County Council Chairman’s Charity (5)
Event Date:
We are delighted that the Chairman of the Suffolk County Council, Councillor James Finch, has chosen Suffolk Mind as his charity of the year, helping us in our aim of making Suffolk the best place in the world for talking about and taking care of mental health.
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Suffolk Food Hall (1)
Event Date:
The team at the Suffolk Food Hall have chosen Suffolk Mind as one of their chosen charities of the year for 2019 and are supporting us with many events and activities throughout the year.
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TMJ (1)
Event Date:
TMJ Interiors was established in 1981, and has become a leader in specialist joinery and the interior fit-out industry. We manufacture and install quality joinery for the commercial, residential and specialist sectors, and we pride ourselves on our highly skilled and dedicated team. This year, we
Accreditations & Awards
