AWARENESS DAY: The #justtalk youth mental health awareness day held in Faith Church, Rogerstone on Bank Holiday Monday was a huge success with over 500 people attending. 

Over £800 was raised for Nineteen (nineteen.org.uk), the organisation set up by Wayne Ashe following the death by suicide of his son Sam. 
Visitors were encouraged to #justtalk about mental health through the many activities that took place.

There was a packed programme of moving talks from local people who all spoke bravely and honestly about their own personal experiences of living with mental health issues.

The Go Girls presented ‘there’s more that connects us’ and asked people to step forward together when they could associate with a variety of phrases from ‘I am from Rogerstone’ and ‘I love to dance’ to ‘I feel lonely sometimes’ and ‘I struggle with my mental health’.
Visitors were encouraged to post something they like about themselves on the ‘positivi-tree’ and to write suggestions for ‘what would you say’ if a friend was struggling with their mental health. 

There were so many great suggestions, but some that were particularly touching came from children including ‘ask if they want to play’ and ‘tell them you are friends’.

There were so many other things to do from a rodeo sheep, gaming competition, kids zone, ‘you’re beautiful’ zone with hair, make-up, face paints, Reiki, mindfulness plus information from mental health organisations.

Tobias Robertson, The Hatchers and Newport City Radio provided the music and Rogerstone author Beth Reekles opened the day with a touching and personal speech about why just talking about mental health is important.

The day was sponsored by Newport City Homes. 

Tiny Rebel brewery brought along their beer van and many Rogerstone businesses supported #justtalk with donation of equipment and raffle prizes. 

Kath Hopkins one of the organisers said ‘we have been overwhelmed by the support we have received from businesses, organisations and individuals who have helped make #justtalk a success, especially The Faith Church for allowing us to use their superb venue. We are thrilled that so many people came along, had fun and left knowing it’s OK to #justtalk about mental health’.

Mental Health Awareness week is May 8-14 and the Fourteen Locks Canal Centre is pleased to be able to support this cause. 
Newport Mind offer a range of ways to reach out and support anyone who needs help. 

There are courses on understanding anger, men’s groups and walks. Kate Batten will be at the Canal Centre on Thursday May 11 from 10.30am to 12.30pm with leaflets from Newport Mind, to explain what they do and get people talking.

Recently introduced to the Fourteen Locks Canal Centre is Rustic Woodcraft. On display is a range of individual rustic wood products for the Home and Garden. Founded by Kevin Garrod in 2005, Rustic Woodcraft ethos is to create functional products from sustainably managed woodlands. See rusticwoody.com for more information.

SOCIAL GROUP: New Beginnings the social group that meets alternate Thursdays at 1pm – 3pm in the Cefn Wood Baptist Church Hall has just celebrated its second birthday. 

Generally we have a speaker, then we a cuppa and sandwich or cake and a good chat about what we have been doing and what’s going on in the area. 

Forthcoming talks will be ’30 years a Magistrate’, ‘Ageing well’.
If you would like to come along and meet some new friends, we are delighted to make new friends too. 

If you would like help with transport please contact Ellie 07816 838667, Marlene 01633 891579 or me. 

ROGERSTONE SPRING CLEAN: Many thanks to those who helped with Rogerstone Spring Clean #2 on Wednesday April 19, and thanks to Bethesda Church for hosting and providing refreshments afterwards. 
Rogerstone Spring Clean #3 will be on Wednesday May 17 from Cefn Wood Baptist Church at 10am. Please come and help if you can.

Rogerstone
Yvonne Forsey
y.forsey@ntlworld.com
01633 897831
07714 810045