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 18 people die by suicide every day in the UK. We’re asking you to stand with us and help tell anyone and everyone who can’t see a way out: “Things can change”. To help more people to Stay. Stand with us  Ash’s Story “You might feel like you can’t carry on, but I promise there are so many reasons to stay.” AshWhen Ash was struggling with furlough, lockdown and a new baby, things got too much. He wanted to end it all, but our webchat helped him to see a way forward. We want more people like Ash to find hope, to find a reason to Stay.  Help CALM be there, no matter what “CALM’s helpline saved my life. They listened without judging me and helped me make a plan for the future.”Someone contacts the CALM helpline every 59 seconds. Each call we take could be the one that helps someone decide to Stay. Whether it’s £3, £8 or £25, whatever you can donate would make a huge difference and could help fund a potentially life-saving call for someone like Ash. Donate today  Suicide rates are unacceptable. We need to do more. “We know the risk factors associated with suicide, so we need to be proactively taking actions to address them” Wendy, Head of Services We lose 125 people to suicide every week. We need real change – and that means dedicated government action that covers housing, education, health, money, and employment. Read more Find out how you can help save a life We know talking about suicide can seem awkward and uncomfortable – but it could also be the most important conversation you ever have. We’re here to give you the tools to start a potentially life-saving conversation, so that no one has to struggle on their own.  THE FACTS Read more  THE SIGNS Read more  THE WORDS Read more  THE SUPPORT Read more  Take action against suicide, sign up for the Lost Hours Walk When the clocks go back, we walk forward against suicide. Create your own Lost Hours Walk, help CALM continue to be there for anyone who’s struggling and raise vital awareness and cash for our services. Walk for CALM  |
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Tag Archives: charity
Awareness is nothing without action – CALM
  It’s Mental Health Awareness Week… You’re going to be hearing lots of chat about #awareness. But we know awareness is nothing without action. The theme of Mental Health Awareness Week this year is loneliness. It’s normal to feel lonely sometimes, but we also know it can make it difficult to get on with your everyday life. We’ve put together some stuff to help you through. Take action this MHAW How To: Make Mates  Mates. We take the piss out of them, drink pints with them and share deep chats with them, but we can also drift apart from them, or find it hard to make them. Here’s some ways to make new friends and stay connected with old ones. Get started Kyle Walker teams up with CALM  Winner of three Premier Leagues. Regular for England. Now the designer of a home and away kit for CALM. We’ve teamed up with Kyle Walker and Puma to release these limited edition kits that represent the highs and lows of his amazing career – and the support which has helped him through it all. Not only can you get your hands on the wicked new kit, FIFA 22 players can also unlock the kits now in FIFA Unlimited Team. Get the kit  TAKE ACTION WITH TEAM CALM Just £8 will answer a potentially life-saving call, so if you want to help support our life-saving services why not do something you love to raise some cash for our services? From burping the national anthem to fund-raving, have a bit of fun and do whatever tickles your pickle. Join us  We’re on your side If you’re struggling, remember CALM are here every single day. Whatever it is that’s weighing on your mind, you can talk to us. No matter who you are or what you’re going through, our helpline is here for you. Need support?  Supporters of the month Declan rowed a hardcore half a million metres in April to raise life-saving cash for CALM. Richard is hosting a kick-about in memory of his mate Micheal. Zoe and Huw will be taking on the Swansea Epic Trail this May in memory of mate Mike. Omar will be hosting a gig in memory of mate Scott. What a legend. Our Supporters  5pm-midnight ● Free ● Confidential ● Anonymous |
Molly Karloff release new single in aid of mental health charity Oxfordshire Mind
| NEW SINGLE “SHE SAID” REMIXED BY ROMESH DODANGODA RELEASED FRIDAY 19th FEBRUARY 2021 PRE-SAVE THE SINGLE All PROCEEDS IN AID OF UK MENTAL HEALTH CHARITY “OXFORDSHIRE MIND” MOLLY KARLOFF SIGN RECORD DEAL WITH OFF YER ROCKA |
| Molly Karloff, the hard-hitting Oxfordshire-based power trio are set to release their new single ‘She Said’ (Romesh Remix) on Friday February 19th. All proceeds from the single will be donated to the UK mental health charity Oxfordshire Mind. The single is now available to pre-save from https://mollykarloff.hearnow.com “Lockdowns are bad for mental health,” says Molly Karloff’s guitarist and lead singer, Simon Gee. “We’ve decided to raise money to help those people who are suffering most. Mental health is a serious issue and that’s why the band are showing their support by donating all proceeds from the new singleOxfordshire Mind.” “Mind provides help and support to anyone affected by mental health problems. People can donate by pre-saving and ordering the single from https://mollykarloff.hearnow.com or they can donate via our JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/molly-karloff.” “We’re thrilled to hear that the rock band Molly Karloff has chosen to support Oxfordshire Mind by donating the proceeds of their new single,” says Kathryn Pickup, Community Fundraiser at Oxfordshire Mind. “The pandemic is changing our lives and placing huge amounts of stress on our mental health. The self-isolation and social distancing measures in place, as well as fears about the virus itself, are adding to the pressures of the current situation.” “Covid-19 has dramatically highlighted the need for services like ours. Our fundraising has been reduced significantly due to cancelled events and activities over the past few months. We are incredibly grateful for supporters like the rock band Molly Karloff.” “We have a range of services available, from our Information Line where people can call or email to get support and advice for themselves or others, to peer support groups which bring together people who have a shared experience with mental health in a safe and welcoming space, and crisis support services like our Oxford and Banbury Safe Havens. We have adapted our services to ensure that anyone who needs us can still get support.” “At Oxfordshire Mind, we firmly believe that everyone who experiences mental health difficulties should have somewhere to turn to for advice and support. By supporting us in this way, Molly Karloff are helping to ensure that we can continue to make that happen.” To coincide with the new single, Molly Karloff have inked a recording deal with Off Yer Rocka Records who will release the band’s next two studio albums. Since the release of their ‘Supernaturalation’ EP in 2020, Molly Karloff have cemented their place in the rock music scene with rave reviews and dedicated social engagement. Having already worked with Romesh Dodangoda (Bullet for My Valentine, Funeral For A Friend, Bring Me The Horizon), on the remix of their previous single ‘Do It Again’, the band invited him back to remix ‘She Said’. A music video directed by Charlie Smith of Mind Art Visual, will coincide with the new single. Molly Karloff is Simon Gee (vocals, guitar), Dan Podbery (bass) and Jowie Adkins (drums). Powerplay Mag described ‘She Said’ as, “Straight to the naughty centre, ballsy rock.” 9/10. Hard Rock Hell Magazine described Molly Karloff’s music as “An assault on your brain sort of music, smashing its way into your head and staying there in a fabulous way. I bloody love it!” “I originally wrote the opening riff without the wah, which was added by mistake one day in rehearsal,” recalls Simon. “It sounded cool, so we kept it that way. Everything else evolved from there. The chorus is infectious. You can’t get it out of your head.” Watch the trailer for the official music video for “She Said” here. |
Action For Happiness news Feb 2021
| Although we may be kept apart, we can still stay socially connected. This month we’re helping people to focus on their relationships. So let’s stay in touch, show friendship and be kind in these challenging times. |
| Our Friendly February calendar is full of ideas to help you stay connected (online if needed). It really makes a difference when we take time to listen or find ways to make someone’s day better. So please share the calendar. |
| You can also use our app to receive the daily calendar actions and join a supportive community putting these into practice. |
| Happiness coaching for challenging times |
| As Covid continues to restrict our lives, we all need to take good care of our mental wellbeing. One great way to do this is using our free 10-day happiness coaching program for challenging times. |
| Join the program today: 10daysofhappiness.org |
| Upcoming Events |
| We’ve got more fantastic events coming up. Do join us if you can! |
| Weds 10 Feb: Shirzad Chamine – Mental Fitness |
| Thurs 25 Feb: Chude Jideonwo – Joy & Connection |
| Let’s choose being kind over being right in difficult situations this month. By showing friendship and understanding to others, we can spread tolerance and help ourselves and others to feel more supported. Wishing you a calm and connected month ahead 🙂 Mark and the team Action for Happiness |
FIFTY GIGS IN A DAY – BACK TO HELP ARTISTS & NORDOFF ROBBINS CHARITY
With the current coronavirus pandemic it has affected live music like never before, with artists seeing their live revenues disappear, plus the related venues all close for now and many people associated with the music industry also losing their jobs and income. Coupled with this charities have seen their fundraising diminished as we all socially distance and events are cancelled.
But it is not all doom and gloom as musicians are rapidly adapting with live streaming gigs, Q&A’s, although it will only go some way to replacing the sales from merchandise. Charities are adapting too, with Nordoff Robbins hosting various events including streamed live from their music therapists.
So I am going to ‘piggy back’ on bands/artists doing gigs to see if they will kindly promote the wonderful work of the Nordoff Robbins charity, along with of course the bands/artists kind enough to mention the charity. Plus I will also be highlighting the work of NHS Charities Together as they help support the NHS workers, their families and the volunteers.
If any band/artists (including authors!) would like to join in please feel free to contact me.
50 Gigs In A Day Just Giving page
Make Some For The NHS Just Giving page
Below are the bands/artists that have kindly joined in to date. Either by dedicating a streaming gig to Fifty Gigs In A Day/Nordoff Robbins and/or kindly mentioning Nordoff Robbins on their social media. Please visit their pages and give them a listen & support. Thank you
Music therapy in action with Nordoff Robbins
| “Music therapy is able to give a voice to the voiceless, it musically includes people who are socially excluded, and gives people labelled ‘ill’ or ‘disabled’ an experience of their own wellness and ability” – Simon Proctor, Director of Music Services at Nordoff Robbins. Each one of our beneficiaries is unique, as is the music therapy they receive. Whilst our work with people suffering with autism or dementia may be more well known, I wanted to share with you, as a supporter of Nordoff Robbins, these incredible real life stories showing how music therapy helps so many people in so many ways, all thanks to our generous supporters. |
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Barbara became depressed at just four years old when she went into foster care
It’s
hard to imagine how traumatic being separated from your siblings and
going into foster care at such a young age would be. Yet music therapy
is there to help Barbara. As
she says “when I have bad memories, I play music instruments. Then
all the bad memories go into the instruments and I don’t have them
inside me anymore” Read Barbara’s story from Anna her music therapist |
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Gareth
suffered a stroke at 47 and finds it hard to speak, yet can sing whole
verses of ‘Love Me Tender’ with his music therapist
After
suffering a stroke on holiday in 2012, language is now very difficult
for Gareth and he gets fatigued easily, making him withdrawn and
uncommunicative. Music therapy enables him
to engage meaningfully again, even singing along with his wife in his
sessions Hear his heartwarming story here |
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Omolara is a teenager with severe learning difficulties and physical disabilities, but now sings solos in her school show
She
is non-verbal, finding it challenging to communicate and be properly
understood. Music therapy offers her a place to be listened to and
valued, giving her the confidence to fulfil her potential Watch how much Omolara shines in music therapy |
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Sadru was diagnosed with cancer at just 18 years old, yet wrote an uplifting song called ‘Staying Alive’
Through
music therapy, Sadru was able to write about his experiences with
cancer, using music as a means of expressing the emotions and
frustrations he was feeling. As Sadru
says, “I wanted to shine a light on what I went through so other
people can see it and appreciate what they have, and to help them if
they are going through what I went through” Listen to Sadru’s inspiring song |
|
Refugees like Esther who have experienced unthinkable trauma, find relief in music therapy
The
experiences of imprisonment and torture some of these refugees have
faced has left many of them traumatised and isolated. Music therapy
provides them a release from their anxiety,
offering them an outlet to express what they’re feeling. Hear their story from Toni their music therapist here |
Tom Walker releases single in aid of Nordoff Robbins
The new version of the track, in which Tom Walker is joined by sensational bagpipe band The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, quickly went viral after several live performances. After a public cry for the track to be released, Tom and the Chilli Pipers recorded the single and made the generous decision to donate all proceeds to benefit our music therapy work in Scotland. Speaking of the decision Tom said:
“Nordoff Robbins is the perfect charity to support with this single. The work they do changes the lives of people who find it hard to communicate in other ways and as a musician that really hits home with me. Plus, they kindly gave me my very first award in 2017 when I won UK Breakthrough at the Nordoff Robbins Scottish Music Awards, so thanks for that! I hope this new version can raise some money to support their fantastic team of music therapists across Scotland.”
The Red Hot Chilli Pipers band leader Kevin MacDonald added:
“Nordoff Robbins is our chosen charity for 2019 so we’re delighted to be able to do this for them. We really hope that people enjoy the track and also support Tom with his Brits British Breakthrough nomination.”
Download “Leave a Light On” feat. Red Hot Chilli Pipers.
Fifty Gigs In A Day 2019 raises over £350 for Nordoff Robbins
Fifty Gigs In A Day 2019 raised £353 for the Nordoff Robbins charity, as well as raising awareness of the work they do in music therapy.
The money raised was as follows –
£177 = Dandelion Charm played a free gig at the Brunswick, Hove supported by Milton Hide
£76 = my Facebook birthday post
£23 = eBay auctions (Ninebarrow CDs)
£40 = book launch for ‘The End of Magic by Mark Stay
£37 = JustGiving from generous FM & Thunder fans
A MASSIVE thank you to all the bands, artists, author & comedians who took part; those who generously donated either via Facebook, JustGiving or at an event and anyone who shared or liked a post on social media.
That is over £500 raised for Nordoff Robbins in the two years Fifty Gigs In A Day has been running and as it is such a success I am planning to do it again next year 🙂
Fifty Gigs In A Day 2019 raises over £300 for Nordoff Robbins
Fifty Gigs In A Day 2019 raised over £300 for the Nordoff Robbins charity, as well as raising awareness of the work they do in music therapy.
The money raised was as follows –
£177 = Dandelion Charm played a free gig at the Brunswick, Hove supported by Milton Hide
£66 = my Facebook birthday post
£23 = eBay auctions (Ninebarrow CDs)
£37 = JustGiving from generous FM & Thunder fans
Thank you to the following for taking part and helping spread the word on the work of the Nordoff Robbins charity –
ADRIAN BELEW, PAUL CARRACK, JARROD DICKENSON, BARBARA DICKSON, DODGY , FAIRPORT CONVENTION, FM, FROST*, FUN LOVIN’ CRIMINALS, STEVE HACKETT, ROBB JOHNSON, KAISER CHIEFS, KING KING, LETZ ZEP, LOST VOICE GUY, NINEBARROW, THE SMYTHS, STONE BROKEN, THOSE DAMN CROWS, THUNDER , YES, THE YOUNG ‘UNS
Plus the Little Red Kings, Broken Witt Rebels, the Fierce & the Dead and Andrew W.K. joined in even though they are not currently touring.
Plus there is still one event to go as author Mark Stay is kindly donating one pound for every copy signed or sold of his new book ‘The End of Magic’, at the official book launch on Friday 15 February at Harbour Books in Whitstable, Kent.
Thanks to everyone for your support.
https://www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk/news/imogens-story
Gareth’s story
You can read the full story here
“The real breakthrough came in Gareth’s sixth session. I started with some classical music to welcome Gareth and then moved into the song ‘Love Me Tender.’ As I began to sing the first line, Gareth immediately lifted his torso to make himself more upright and looked directly towards me. I continued, and as I reached the last line of the verse, Gareth sang it too – every word and it was perfectly pitched! Before this moment I had only heard Gareth say ‘yes’, and now here he was singing a whole phrase. He sang a few more words as I continued, his body completely upright. We reached the end and I played on, asking Gareth if he’d like to sing the first verse again. He replied with a keen ‘yeah’, and then proceeded to sing almost every single word with me. I repeated the last line but left it unfinished for Gareth to complete – and he sang it in a moment of deep connection.
The two support workers in the room were surprised and elated, and other members of the professional team were amazed when I recounted that Gareth had sustained fifty minutes of active engagement.”
Fifty Gigs In A Day 