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The Journey So Far
What we've been up to...
This is where we share the latest updates on everything happening within our charity. From exciting events and milestones to new team members, funding successes, and everything in between, this is where you'll find all the important news and stories that shape our mission.
Empowering Youth Through Resilience and Mental Fitness!
Implementing our Rise Up: Empowering Youth Through Resilience and Mental Fitness programme for students at Braintree College, specifically those impacted by, or at risk of violence, trauma, and poor mental health. The programme focuses on emotional well-being, self-regulation, communication skills, peer mentoring, and mental health awareness.
Supported by VVU and Essex Police
Supported by VVU and Essex Police
Colchester United learn how to switch-off and relax!
Thanks to funding received from Active Essex we have been offering somatic movement and breathwork to the under 21s at Colchester United. They want to work on their mobility and flexibility but they're mastering the art of restoration!
Darcy School learn about their emotions using breathwork!
Years 1 and 2 learn our "smell the flower, blow a bubble" breathing to feel calm. and relaxed!
Emotional Wellbeing Skills at Darcy School!
Years 5 and 6 enjoy learning about resilience and managing emotions this month thanks to funding!
Emotional Wellbeing at Colchester United!
Sharing somatic breath and movement to the under 21 football players to improve body awareness, which can lead to better performance and prevent injury.
Family Vision Boards & Wellbeing Workshop
Liz, hosted a creative session with children during half term, focusing on how to nurture their emotional wellbeing. The children explored various tools such as breath work, art, and movement to support their daily lives and create a lasting impact.
Learning about friendships & emotional resilience
Becki, our Wellbeing Lead delivering a workshop to help the children understand and manage their emotions and build resilience.
Thank you from the children of Finchingfield Primary School
We received a lovely card and flowers from the children of Finchingfield Primary School this week, after our first visit delivering our termly workshops as part of our Emotional Wellbeing Programme!
Emotional Wellbeing at Finchingfield Primary
A gentle introduction to movement and breathing for self-regulation with the reception class and of Finchingfield.
Calm The Chaos: Young Adults Workshop
On the 12th February, Becki Marie hosted the first in a series of workshops for young adults aged 16-24.
Thanks to funding we are offering these sessions for FREE to help young people understand what anxiety really is, why it happens, and how they can manage it better.
What we covered:
- What anxiety really is and why it feels so overwhelming
- The difference between fear and anxiety—and why it matters for your mental health
- How to recognise anxiety when it shows up in your life, and what to do about it
- Simple mindfulness tools to feel grounded and calm—even when everything feels chaotic
- Ways to take care of your own mental health, especially if you're also caring for others
See our events page for our next session!
Thanks to funding we are offering these sessions for FREE to help young people understand what anxiety really is, why it happens, and how they can manage it better.
What we covered:
- What anxiety really is and why it feels so overwhelming
- The difference between fear and anxiety—and why it matters for your mental health
- How to recognise anxiety when it shows up in your life, and what to do about it
- Simple mindfulness tools to feel grounded and calm—even when everything feels chaotic
- Ways to take care of your own mental health, especially if you're also caring for others
See our events page for our next session!
Olly is Little Oaks Residential Care Home
Pet therapy is such an important part of our work in the community and Olly loves it as much as the children, patients and residents do. You can sponsor a therapy dog to support our work in the community by following the support us link on the main menu!
Rolling out our new Emotional Wellbeing Programme!
February saw our Wellbeing Lead, Becki Marie, heading back to school to deliver a new term of workshops. The children of Finchingfield C of E Primary School enjoyed individual class workshops on friendships and resilience. Becki shared her knowledge and somatic practices, making these important topics accessible and helping the children to understand themselves and manage their emotions.
Becki also delivered a bespoke session for the parents with time for questions and discussions.
Our Emotional Wellbeing Programme has received valuable funding allowing us to support a select few schools without impacting their budget. We hope to be able to continue our work in schools and create a difference for more young children. Your support is so important right now! As funding becomes harder to secure and opportunities feel more scarce, we truly appreciate your support. Thank you to all our corporate sponsorships, donations big and small, and everyone who has signed up to Easy Fundraising – Your support matters!
Becki also delivered a bespoke session for the parents with time for questions and discussions.
Our Emotional Wellbeing Programme has received valuable funding allowing us to support a select few schools without impacting their budget. We hope to be able to continue our work in schools and create a difference for more young children. Your support is so important right now! As funding becomes harder to secure and opportunities feel more scarce, we truly appreciate your support. Thank you to all our corporate sponsorships, donations big and small, and everyone who has signed up to Easy Fundraising – Your support matters!
Liz & Ollie back in care homes delivering pet therapy...
Animals can play a therapeutic role in supporting our mental health and treating conditions such as depression, anxiety, and addiction. This is why Liz and Ollie have been working in care homes and hospitals for the past few years.
Dogs generally do not exhibit xenophobia—the fear of strangers—and most are actually xenophilic; they love meeting new people!
We believe that Ollie’s presence and warm energy create a sense of safety, comfort, and well-being by helping to regulate the nervous system.
Dogs generally do not exhibit xenophobia—the fear of strangers—and most are actually xenophilic; they love meeting new people!
We believe that Ollie’s presence and warm energy create a sense of safety, comfort, and well-being by helping to regulate the nervous system.
February's Emotional Wellbeing Events!!
This February, the month of relationships, connections and love, we have three new events to share... Whether you are a Mental Health First Aider in need of a refresher, or a young adult looking for ways to understand and manage anxiety, or perhaps you're a parent or caregiver wanting to support the young people in your life, and enjoy a creative afternoon together –we have something for you!
Introducing our newest trustee, Lisa!
We are expanding our team and with new people comes fresh perspectives and new knowledge! Lisa is a dedicated Montessori teacher working in a mainstream school that values diversity, with her Montessori environment playing a key role in supporting that. In addition to her teaching role, Lisa serves as the mental health lead and family support worker, alongside her loyal companion, Basil—a three-legged Italian Greyhound!
Liz our CEO –The power of nature on mental wellbeing!
At Heads2Minds we appreciate life is hectic, everything feels rushed and there’s always something to do next. But we also appreciate the importance of “downtime”, no matter how impossible it seems.
Spending time in nature, and allowing ourselves time to rest and regulate our nervous systems has never been more crucial. Anxiety and stress levels are rising and sometimes the simplest things offer the most effective relief.
It’s also essential to give Ollie, our therapy dog some time to rest after his visits to care homes and hospitals for his own health and well-being.
So, off to the woods it is!
Spending time in nature, and allowing ourselves time to rest and regulate our nervous systems has never been more crucial. Anxiety and stress levels are rising and sometimes the simplest things offer the most effective relief.
It’s also essential to give Ollie, our therapy dog some time to rest after his visits to care homes and hospitals for his own health and well-being.
So, off to the woods it is!
Thank you to Tudwick Foundation for their valuable funding of non-clinical therapies!
Thank you to Tudwick Foundation for their valuable funding of £1500 in support of non-clinical therapies. We were able to cover costs of a variety of holistic and therapeutic workshops and group sessions.
Therapy Dogs: Having fun in the pool!
Therapy Dogs: Having fun in the pool to self-regulate after their sessions in schools, care homes and mental health hospitals.
The Power of Connection!
Another fantastic HBBA networking event. Video filmed and shared by The Hungarian Britich Business Alliance
The power of partnerships and connecting with others
Film created and shared by HBBA Hungarian British Business Alliance
Mental Health Workshop
Liz delivering knowledge and tools at the North Essex Health & Wellbeing Alliance
Pet Therapy in Care Homes
Studies with older adults demonstrated that human-animal interactions lead to decreases in depression among the elderly and psychiatric patients.
"Ollie is particularly special. He has the perfect character, he is calm but also enthusiastic."
"Ollie is particularly special. He has the perfect character, he is calm but also enthusiastic."
Foyle Foundation
Securing funding from the Foyle Foundation was a significant achievement, especially when it came to covering core costs like staff expenses. It's not always easy to find funding for those essential operational needs, so it’s great that the £5,000 made such a positive impact at Heads2minds HQ. Thank you once again Foyle Foundation for your generous funding. The Foyle Foundation will complete its grant giving programme in 2025, marking 25 years of giving to the fields of the Arts, Learning, Community Small Grants and formerly State Schools and Health. https://foylefoundation.org.uk/
HBBA Fashion Week Event
Liz speaking about Mental Health at the HBBA Fashion Week event in September!
Mind Health at Colchester United Academy
Liz shared meaningful life skills with the 1st year scholars at Colchester United Academy.
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