Celebrating 10 Years of MindWise Read More Donate

We're 10

Happy birthday to us! 10 years ago, we de-merged from Rethink to become MindWise, an independent charity.

A lot's changed in the past 10 years. More people are talking about mental health than ever; and more people need our support than ever. In the past 10 years, we've grown to almost twice the size that we were. Each year, we transform more than 9000 lives through our 30 services, delivered by 100 amazing staff who are supported by 80 fantastic volunteers.

MindWise CEO Anne Doherty doing the cake cutting honours in Head Office, with some non-alcoholic bubbly kindly provided by our corporate partners, the SHS Group

We're very proud to be 10. We're proud that 70% of our staff have lived experience. We're proud that many of our volunteers and staff began as service users with us. We're proud that 95% of people in our services say being part of MindWise is important to their recovery.

In the past 10 years, we've created new and innovative services within the criminal justice system, including Northern Ireland Appropriate Adult Service and Linked-In, as well as delivering the only Coaching for Mental Health and Wellbeing diploma *in the world* through WorkWisenv. We're there for new mums and families through our Mums and Family Wellness Projects, as well as carers through our Family Support Service. We've expanded our support for older people, as well as our advocacy services, and moved into new areas through services such as Inverary House.

And we're proud to be working alongside our Rethink family once again through Mental Health UK, composed of our sister charities Rethink Mental Illness, Hafal and Support in Mind Scotland .

THANK YOU! to staff, clients and volunteers. Scroll down to read more from our staff who've been here for 10 years. Here's to the next 10 years!

Lekan Abasi is an Appropriate Adult with NIASS and joined MindWise in 2009. He's also Clinical Co-ordinator at Counselling All Nations Services (CANS). Here he shares his thoughts on the past 10 years at MindWise.

What were you doing before you joined MindWise?

I was a trained Counsellor, always looking out on what I can do to support vulnerable people, especially, the powerless and voiceless.

Why did you want to work at MindWise?

I had just completed 6 years as Volunteer Custody Visitor and the Appropriate Adult role is a paid job and I thought I can use my experience to work with the organisation.

What, in your opinion, has changed in mental health and your sector in the past 10 years?

MindWise growth and expansion over the course of 10 year is a testament to the hard work of the Management Staff and the dedication of its workforce. Reflections and feedback from the service users is an indication of what the organisation stood for.

What’s your favourite thing about your job?

Making sure juveniles or vulnerable adult arrested and detained by the police are treated with respect and their rights are maintained throughout the process whilst in detention.

What is your proudest moment from the past 10 years?

When I was presented with a long serving staff award after 5 years in service.

What are your hopes for the next 10 years?

Funding for the scheme to be mainstreamed so it can continue to support people detained in police custody.

Our Adult Mental Health Services Manager Jackie McCaughey joined MindWise ten years ago. Here are her reflections on the last 10 years.

Jackie in 2009 and Jackie now

What were you doing before you joined MindWise?

Before I joined MindWise, I was working in residential care for older people experiencing dementia.

Why did you want to work at MindWise?

The opportunity to make a difference to people’s lives and support them in their recovery as unfortunately with dementia the condition means a deterioration in people’s abilities to manage day to day, where with MindWise I could contribute to people’s lives improving. In the residential unit we also supported six men who had schizophrenia and I was involved in supporting one of the men to move to his own flat after many years in hospital and the home which sparked my interest in supporting people with severe and enduring mental health rather than dementia

What, in your opinion, has changed in mental health and your sector in the past 10 years?

We have seen an increase in the number of people experiencing mental health difficulties and subsequently a growth in the number of services needed. There has been progress in awareness raising with more people willing to talk about mental health. We still have more work to do on the awareness raising and although things have got better we are not there yet.

Of course, there is never enough money spent on mental health and it is an easy option when cuts are being made to budgets as people tend to not make as much noise about it as they would do if it was cancer, heart or children’s services that were being cut.

What’s your favourite thing about your job?

The variety – my job takes me right across NI when out visiting the services and when representing MindWise at various working groups or giving talks about the organisation and every day is different. The clients, staff and volunteers also make the job interesting as again you never know what is going to happen when you walk through the door of a service. It is great to get to talk to the clients and hear first hand how MindWise staff and volunteers are supporting them.

What is your proudest moment from the past 10 years?

There are many including seeing clients move on to independent living and being able to manage without needing the support of our staff and services. Personally, two events that stand out was being named IHCP Care Manager of the Year in 2012 and the DEL Vocational Learner of the Year for NI in 2014 were. These two awards are a reflection on the work of the organisation as I could not have achieved these without the support of the staff in my services and the organisation as a whole. One other event that was memorable was the launch of the Older People’s Community Bridge Building programme by the then Health Minister, Edwin Poots, in Stormont.

What are your hopes for the next 10 years?

Continued increase in awareness so that more people get the support they need at an early stage and of course more funding to ensure services are available to support everyone wo is in need. As an organisation I would like to see MindWise continue to expand and provide more early intervention services to ensure that people are able to receive the support they need at the right time.

How Healthy is Your Business? Read More Donate

We are delighted to announce the relaunch of the Employer of Choice Programme.

This exciting organisational development programme aims to support organisations to develop robust, innovative wellbeing strategies which will make a real difference to your people and how you work.

(This is what many of our clients have been waiting for and we are simply responding to your requests over the last few years for support and guidance in this area)

We are running 2 pilot initiatives in May and September, at a discounted rate, with 12 places available on each programme, which will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.

Download our Employer of Choice leaflet which outlines the benefits to your business.

To book your free pre-programme consultation email workwise@mindwisenv.org

What does the programme involve?

STAGES	OBJECTIVES	DELIVERY METHOD	WHEN
Stage 1	Introduction to Employer of Choice Building the Business Case – The importance of a Wellbeing Strategy for your organisation Planning your approach to development of your strategy for your organisation	Group workshop Day 1	16^th May 2019
Stage 2	Research and self-assessment of what currently promotes health and wellbeing within your organisation	Individual tasks to be conducted by each organisation between Day 1 and Day 2	To be agreed by each organisation
Stage 3	Set out your vision for your organisation Develop your action plan for your organisation	Group workshop Day 2	30^th May 2019
Stage 4	Site visit to your organisation	Coaching and mentoring support	Tailored to the needs of each individual organisation
Stage 5	Presentation of your organisation’s findings and action plan	Peer review	29^th August 2019
Stage 6	Site visit to your organisation	Coaching and mentoring support	Tailored to the needs of each individual organisation
Stage 7	Final presentation of your organisation’s strategy and action plan	A panel will ‘sign-off’ your strategy and action plan for accreditation	24^th August 2019
Stage 8	Celebration & Awards	Celebration ceremony	TBC
Stage 9	Re-accreditation	24 months	September 2021

Download the programme outline here.

Are you ready to become an Employer of Choice?

Our first programme takes place on May 16th 2019.. You can book your place online by clicking here.

If you'd like to book by email or post, please download the registration form here.

Fundraise for MindWiseRead More Donate

Volunteer for MindWiseRead More Donate

MindWise is a leading mental health charity which supports those affected by severe mental illness and other mental health difficulties and promotes earlier intervention. To help make this a success we are looking for individuals to spare a few hours a week to volunteer. We currently have volunteer opportunities in the following roles:

Experienced Fundraising and Event Volunteers – to help with a range of fundraising events (e.g. bag packs, street collections, marathons etc)
Volunteer Facilitators – Carer and Family Support Service – based in Antrim, Ballymena or Coleraine
Research and Information Volunteer – Carer and Family Support Service
Walking Group Leader – Thursday morning, Belfast Resource Centre
Chess Volunteer – Belfast Resource Centre
Music / Mindfulness Volunteer – Belfast Resource Centre
Woodwork Volunteer – Magherafelt
Volunteer to teach Guitar - Magherafelt
Gardening Volunteer - Carrickfergus
Activities/Walking Group Volunteers –Newry, Antrim, Banbridge, Lurgan
Arts and Crafts Volunteers – Newry, Lurgan

If you are interested in applying for any of these roles please contact the volunteer co-ordinator on 028 9031 5060 or email niamh.scullion@mindwisenv.org for an application pack and role description.

What's it like volunteering for MindWise?

Hear from our volunteers themselves on what being a MindWise volunteer is like.

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Wellbeing and Performance Coaching Masterclass Read More Donate

When: 9.30am -1pm, 21st May

Where: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 117 Miltown Road, Shaws Bridge, Belfast

For more than 50 years, Gallup scientists have been exploring the demands of a life well lived. The concept of living our best lives is a concept and question that we, as coaches and mentors, have an equal hunger, curiosity and interest in exploring. This work evidences that the status of an organisation is largely defined by the sum total of the wellbeing of the individuals within it.

This Masterclass will build and expand on how this work can now be brought into organisations through the introduction of a wellbeing coaching culture. Our journey together will have four steps:

We will introduce you to cutting edge research into corporate wellbeing coaching, and share with you the results of our International Survey which has been answered by HR Professionals, Leaders, Learning & Development Consultants, Coaches and Mentors worldwide.

About the Facillitator

Paula King - Director, Kingstown College

Paula is a psychologist and leadership coach. She is registered with the British Psychological Society (BPS) on the Register of Competence in Psychological Testing. She is a member of the Society for Coaching Psychology. Paula holds an MSc in Coaching and Organisational Development and is Past President of the European Mentoring & Coaching Council (EMCC) Ireland. She is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

Paula’s clientele consists of leaders with influence, CEOs, politicians and members of the media. She brings genuine warmth to her coaching interventions,whilst consistently assisting her clients to achieve goals which may have seemed unachievable through an empathic and challenging approach.

Cost and how to book

To book your place call MindWise on 02890402323 or email workwise@mindwisenv.org

Fees: £60 per person OR £40 for MindWise/Kingstown Mental Health & Wellbeing Coaching students/graduates

MindWise

Celebrating 10 Years of MindWise Read More Donate

We're 10

How Healthy is Your Business? Read More Donate

What does the programme involve?

Are you ready to become an Employer of Choice?

Fundraise for MindWiseRead More Donate

Volunteer for MindWiseRead More Donate

Wellbeing and Performance Coaching Masterclass Read More Donate

About the Facillitator

Cost and how to book

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