Sunderland services spotlighted at Beacon of Light Fan Zone for Mental Health Awareness Week

Ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week, Beacon of Light highlighted a range of vital support services from across the region in the pre-match Fan Zone ahead of Sunderland AFC’s game against Manchester United.

Mental Health Awareness Week is a national campaign dedicated to raising awareness of mental wellbeing, challenging stigma, and encouraging people to take positive steps to support their mental health.

To mark the campaign, Sunderland AFC replaced the Black Cat House logo with the Black Dog, a symbol associated with mental health. At the Beacon of Light, staff from Beacon and Foundation of Light wore shirts featuring the Black Dog to help spark conversations and raise awareness among supporters.

Foundation of Light’s mental health-focused Game of II Halves and Believe programmes were among the organisations represented in the Fan Zone, alongside Samaritans Sunderland, Not A Statistic Northeast CIC, Links for Life Sunderland, and Andy’s Man Club Sunderland.

Together, the organisations shared information about the support available across Wearside and encouraged people to seek help and talk up.

Here’s more information about the organisations and services on offer:

Game of II Halves

Game of II Halves is the Foundation of Light's mental health and suicide prevention initiative for men aged 16+ in Sunderland and funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.

The programme offers workshops, SHUSH training and empowers participants to become ambassadors for mental health.

By leveraging football, it encourages open discussions and builds a supportive network for Sunderland AFC fans and the community.

For more information, contact steven.brindley@foundationoflight.co.uk

Believe

Believe is the Foundation of Light’s ground-breaking women’s peer-to-peer support group.

A first of its kind programme in addressing the mental health needs of women in Sunderland, Believe offers a safe and supportive space for women to openly discuss their experiences, challenges, and triumphs.

Sessions are free to attend on a drop-in basis for all females aged 18+, taking place at the Beacon of Light every Tuesday from 6:30pm to 7:30pm.

For more information on Believe, contact: jade.gilbertson@foundationoflight.co.uk

Samaritans Sunderland

Samaritans of Sunderland were founded in 1970 and proudly offer emotional support to people across the community.

The Samaritans offer free, around the clock support, meaning you will have someone to talk to about any problems you may be having.

If you wish to contact them, you can call free day or night on 116 123 or email: jo@samaritans.org

Not A Statistic Northeast CIC

Not A Statistic Northeast was created to help individuals find a safe space to access peer-to-peer support over a hot drink and biscuits.

They currently run three peer support group sessions in Sunderland, including at the Beacon of Light on Thursdays.

Not A Statistic Northeast offer inclusive sessions to anyone over the age of 16, no matter their gender, race, sexuality or background.

Find a session:

• Houghton-le-Spring (Tuesdays, 7-9pm) – The Old Rectory
• Washington (Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30pm) – Millennium Centre
• Sunderland (Thursdays, 7-9pm) – Beacon of Light

For more info on Not A Statistic Northeast CIC, head to their website: www.not-a-statistic-ne.org

Links for Life Sunderland

Links for Life Sunderland helps people live their best life by building healthy, happy communities.

Understanding that Health is more than what happens in hospitals and doctors’ surgeries, they connect people to information, local services and support so everyone can feel included and improve their health and wellbeing.

For more information on Links for Life Sunderland, head to their website: www.linksforlifesunderland.co.uk

Andy’s Man Club Sunderland

Andy’s Man Club are a men’s suicide prevention charity, offering free to attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom every Monday.

The aim of the club is to provide men with a safe space where they feel comfortable to talk and open up about their experiences in a room free of judgment.

Andy’s Man Club Sunderland have groups at two venues within the city with sessions running on Monday evenings between 7pm to 9pm:

• The Fans Museum, North Bridge Street, SR5 1AP
• Kayll Road Library, Kayll Rd, SR4 7TW

For more info, head to their website: www.andysmanclub.co.uk/groups