To our community,
We write in response to the recent riots and racial violence across the UK – to share our love, hope and support for all those who are directly and indirectly impacted.
At times like this it is easy to feel powerless, and to wonder how and what we can do to help.
It has been poignant and encouraging to see the thousands of anti-racism protesters that have come out in support and allyship for migrants and other marginalised communities around England.
If you’re looking to support but don’t know how, we’re sharing here some little ways that we can all help within our circles of influence.
The first thing to acknowledge is that these events can have a significant impact on the sense of safety, and mental and emotional wellbeing of your people.
If you know someone that might be affected, we encourage you to reach out to them, to offer them a safe place to share how they are feeling.
And, if you yourself need someone to talk to or are seeking advice on how to cope, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are always here to support in our capacity as Mental Health First Aiders/Instructors.
Whilst every organisation will have access to different support services – it is worth reminding your people of those resources available to them at this time (and at all times).
These support services may include things like:
- HR Department
- Mental Health + Wellbeing Resources
- Mental Health First Aiders
- Diversity and Inclusion Committee
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
In addition to your internal resources, we also wanted to share links/details to some external organisations that can offer support:
Stop Hate UK: A leading national organisation working to challenge all forms of Hate Crime and discrimination, based on any aspect of an individual’s identity. https://www.stophateuk.org/
Victim Support: An independent charity dedicated to supporting victims of crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/
Samaritans: Offering support for whatever an individual is going through. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. https://www.samaritans.org/ | call 116 123 | jo@samaritans.org
We know, and feel ourselves, that at times like this, it can feel overwhelming and hopeless. Let us continue to support one another, listen with empathy, act with kindness and offer what support we can to the circles of influence we have.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to let us know…
Take care and stay safe,
Nicky + Sarah x