LGBT Network Wolverhampton

The Launch of the LGBT Walking Group

Saturday 18th May 12:00

There are many studies that have proven that walking improves people’s overall well-being and helps fight depression. Just being in the outdoors in green natural spaces is beneficial to your mental health and walking in a group can help even more. The walking group will start on Saturday 18 May, meeting at Darlington Street at 12 noon for free tea, coffee and soft drinks before setting off on our first walk.

Some of the benefits:

• Walking, like other physical activities, releases endorphins which improve mood and reduce stress and anxiety.

• Regular walking improves sleep patterns.
• Regular physical activity is effective in treating mild and moderate depression – and has positive rather than negative side effects.
• Walking in a group is a sociable activity that can help improve mental health.
• Spending time in the outdoors and in contact with the natural environment – for example by walking in parks, woodland and green spaces – can have a positive effect on mental health. See the Mind Report on Ecotherapy
• Feeling fitter and controlling weight helps improve our body image and confidence.

www.mind.org.uk/help/ecominds/mental_health_and_the_environment

email info@lgbtwolverhampton.org.uk or call 01902 425 092 for more information

Mental Health Self Support Group Launch

Tuesday 14th May 12:30 pm

It is hoped that this group will provide the following benefits:

Mutual Support and fun

• An opportunity to talk to other people who have ‘been there’
• An opportunity to give as well as receive help
• Swapping and learning new ways to deal with problems
• Gaining inspiration from others
• Taking an active role in health and recovery
• A reduction in isolation for some of us
• An increase in social opportunities/ social circle
• Increased self-esteem and self-confidence

But how the group develops will be down to its members – if you are interested in joining there will be an initial meeting with a free lunch at the Network offices on Tuesday 14 May at 12.30 email Martha@lgbtwolverhampton.org.uk or call 01902 425 092 for more information.

Mental Health Awareness Week 2013

 Starting Mon 13 May

Studies show that LGBT people report higher levels of anxiety, depression and suicidal feelings than the general population. This is not surprising as many LGBT people have experienced:

• hostility or rejection from family, parents and friends
• bullying and name calling at school
• rejection by most mainstream religions
• danger of violence in public places
• harassment from neighbours and other tenants
• casual homophobic comments on an everyday basis
• embarrassed responses and sometimes prejudice from professionals, such as GPs
• no protection against discrimination at work until recently
• negative portrayal of gay people in the media

In 2008, the New Economics Foundation was commissioned by the UK Government to identify a set of evidence-based actions to improve well-being, which individuals would be encouraged to build into their daily lives. The Five Ways to Wellbeing came from this research.

Five Ways to Wellbeing

Connect…With the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community. Think of these as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day.

Be active… Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility and fitness.

Take notice… Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.

Keep learning…Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you more confident as well as being fun.

Give…Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in. Seeing yourself, and your happiness, linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you.

http://www.neweconomics.org/projects/five-ways-well-being

In response to this the Network plans to start two projects during Mental Health Awareness Week:

A Mental Health Self Support Group

And a Walking Group

Don’t Forget people, Proud and Loud. Wolverhamptons very own LGBT Radio Show on WCR FM 101.8 every Friday from 7:00 pm till 9:00 pm. You can also listen online or even on your Smartphone. See you there.

You can also follow the Shows Facebook Page with updates, news and you can even contact us for requests etc.

https://www.facebook.com/proudandloudradio

Here at the Network we have noticed that there are Rainbow stickers appearing all over Wolverhampton town centre. What are they for? Who put them there? Were are the coming from?

Watch this space because we are determined to get to the bottom of this and will keep you posted.