Compass Support, The Pioneer Group’s charitable subsidiary, ran a week of activities to support Mental Health Awareness Week during 10 – 14 May 2021 through a range of online and face-to-face activities.

The Compass Support team collaborated with Castle Vale Community Housing (CVCH) and Community Environmental Trust (CET), an environmental charity, to raise awareness of the importance of mental wellbeing and to support residents in Castle Vale.

Kicking off the week was a friendly Mental Health Awareness football match organised by Senior Community Caretaker at CVCH, Liam Hannon, and Youth Team Leader, Lee Crofts, from Compass Support. Employees from across The Pioneer Group and Compass Support came together on Monday afternoon for a kick-about and also raised money for the Community Environmental Trust.

The events of the past year have seen many of us deprived of our daily routines and contact from our friends and family. Residents have had to find new ways of managing their mental health and overcoming challenges such as stress and loneliness whilst adhering to stringent minimal contact guidelines.

Compass Support created a packed schedule of activities that took place both online and face-to-face covering:

• Mindfulness
• Loneliness
• Sleep
• Anxiety
• Managing stress

The team also spent the week working with CET to connect with nature through activities such as willow weaving, nature walks and propagating sessions at the allotment.

Leonie Hammond, Health and Wellbeing Project Coordinator at Compass Support comments:

We have all experienced some form of stress to our mental health during the past year, whether it’s been struggling to sleep, feeling anxious or stressed. I hope that this week has highlighted some the great support services available in Castle Vale, and engaging residents with nature has had a positive effect on their wellbeing.

This year’s theme is Nature, so it felt only right to deliver this week with the fantastic team at Community Environmental Trust to connect with nature in new ways, using the green spaces and natural environments that we are so lucky to have in Castle Vale.

Alicia Grande Cristobal, Project Manager & Forest School Practitioner at Community Environmental Trust, adds:

On behalf of CET staff and trustees, I would like to say a huge thank you to all those who took part in the football match and donated money.

We’ll ensure the donation is invested in the garden, to continue enhancing the activities we offer and number of participants we reach.

We have also enjoyed seeing so many new faces this week during our activities and wholeheartedly encourage anyone back who wants to continue their journey with Castle Vale’s green spaces.

For more information on the activities or recordings of the online sessions, please check out Compass Support’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/CompassSupportServicesLtd

If you are experiencing extreme low mood or self-harming or suicidal thoughts, it is important to seek immediate assistance from your medical practitioner.