Ambassador initiative passes milestone

A campaign to recruit, train and support 100 wellbeing ambassadors for a leading mental health charity passed a major milestone this week.

The Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Cllr Keji Moses, has selected East Kent Mind and Revival Food and Mood as her Charity of the Year and a key wish for the civic leader is to support the mental health of young people. She is working with the charity to recruit, train and support 100 East Kent Mind Wellbeing Ambassadors and is particularly keen for these to be aged 16 to 24, although any age may apply.

This week 18 Ambassadors attended a presentation ceremony at Tower House hosted by the Lord Mayor taking the total trained so far to 60. These include students from the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University.

The news that the project has already recruited more than half its target has delighted the Lord Mayor.

Cllr Moses said: “I’m so delighted and proud to support the Wellbeing Ambassador initiative. I think its a vital programme. It’s about empowerment. It’s about giving people the tools to support each other and the knowledge of where you can receive additional help if needed. I hope that this legacy can be sustainable and for years to come we can continue to embed such programmes in our educational institutions and workplaces. I hope we can build a community of support together.”

Liv Sawkins receives her badge and certificate from the Lord Mayor

Liv Sawkins, from Canterbury Christ Church University, said: “I enjoy being an East Kent Mind Ambassador because a lot of young people prefer to talk to people of their own age because they feel they understand them better and there is more trust there. I know I’m helping a lot of people through this and I really enjoy it.”

Flic Lindo, from Canterbury Christ Church University, said: “I became an East Kent Mind Ambassador because I really enjoy talking to people in my community, I enjoy connecting with people and I believe mental health is so important especially for younger age groups.”

Flic Lindo receives her badge and certificate from the Lord Mayor

Jodie Bateman, said: “I was interested in joining the East Kent Mind programme because I want to bring our community forward and make connections between the older generation in the village, who can be quite separated and isolated from the rest of the world, and help them to understand how they can start a conversation about getting support. I think that’s really key in challenging situations to having the confidence to start the conversation, finding a kind face and someone who will listen and starting that journey to finding the answers you need.”

The Ambassador project was devised by Simon Dolby, Development Lead at East Kent Mind. He said: “We are really pleased at the excitement and enthusiasm this is generating. Mental health is a hot topic and empowering people in our community to support others is incredibly important.”

Businesses can sponsor the initiative to help it grow. To find out more contact simondolby@eastkentmind.org.uk To apply to become an ambassador visit www.eastkentmind.org.uk/ambassador

To view and download images from the presentation ceremony visit here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCiyGK

What is a Wellbeing Ambassador?

This is an advanced volunteering initiative with two elements – a training side to equip Ambassadors with the wellbeing basics needed to support their peers and themselves, alongside a social action strand to assist East Kent Mind to promote its work.

Addiditional training is available for Ambassadors focusing on Ways to Wellbeing, and a module on neurodiversity is being developed.

The social action element can be acting as a champion of the charity in the workplace and campus or supporting East Kent Mind’s organised events and fundraising activities.

Ambassadors delivering structured wellbeing activities must co-ordinate this with East Kent Mind and meet safeguarding requirements.

Find out more