The Person Centre

Today is . The theme for this year is ‘mental health in an unequal world’.

This year’s theme is something very close to the values of The Person Centre. Our vision is a local community where everyone can access the mental health they deserve.

However, with services increasingly being overstretched and waiting lists getting longer and longer, often people are led to believe that the only way to receive immediate support is to turn to private healthcare - something which is unaffordable for many.

We are continually working to build connections with local services to ensure that we can signpost our service users to the best support for them, at the lowest cost possible. We know that there are services out there for everyone, and that everyone deserves support.

If you feel that there are no services out there for you - please contact us and one of our volunteers will support you through this. Ask yourself today, is it time to talk?

Su***de prevention starts with recognizing the warning signs and taking them seriously.

Noticing when a person withdrawing from others; self-destructive behavior; sudden sense of calm…

If you or someone you know feels suicidal, they might feel very alone, lost, frightened or confused….

You can help by starting a conversation or encouraging someone to talk…it can save lives!

Is it time to talk?
-helpguide.org
-supportline.org

This is an exciting opportunity for a creative individual to be able to make a real difference in the local area of Warrington, as well as gaining transferable skills in managing professional social media accounts. This also is a great opportunity for those wishing to gain experience in the mental health sector to be involved in the shaping and development of a new and exciting mental health project.

This position would be ideal for a marketing graduate with knowledge or experience in psychology and mental health, or a psychology graduate with a creative mind and the ability to learn new skills.

The Marketing and Social Media Volunteer will work closely with The Person Centre’s committee to create engaging content for The Person Centre’s social media. This will include keeping social media channels (currently Facebook, Instagram and WordPress) updated and focused on our brand and core values. The volunteer will also create posts using Canva that will increase awareness of our services and ensure that as many people as possible receive the support they deserve.

Full job description - https://thepersoncentre.wordpress.com/join-our-team/

Apply by sending your CV to: [Email address hidden]

Voluntary Post Title: Marketing and Social Media Volunteer
Reporting to: Volunteer Mental Health Co-ordinator
Volunteer hours: 3-5 hours per week on a flexible basis (with one month trial period)
Closing date: 24th September 2021

Main Purpose
This is an exciting opportunity for a creative individual to be able to make a real difference in the local area of Warrington, as well as gaining transferable skills in managing professional social media accounts. This also is a great opportunity for those wishing to gain experience in the mental health sector to be involved in the shaping and development of a new and exciting mental health project.
This position would be ideal for a marketing graduate with knowledge or experience in psychology and mental health, or a psychology graduate with a creative mind and the ability to learn new skills.

The Marketing and Social Media Volunteer will work closely with The Person Centre’s committee to create engaging content for The Person Centre’s social media. This will include keeping social media channels (currently Facebook, Instagram and WordPress) updated and focused on our brand and core values. The volunteer will also create posts using Canva and/or Photoshop that will increase awareness of our services and ensure that as many people as possible receive the support they deserve.

Key Duties
- Help create and maintain a social media annual plan
- To manage the Facebook and Instagram accounts in line with our brand and core values and to post regular content on these channels
- Create original content using Canva or Photoshop - including Instagram stories, grid posts and reels
- Work closely with the committee and other volunteers to approve content and share ideas
- Promote the service within the community and online to maintain a flow of enquiries
- To develop relationships with mental health organisations in the area on social media - repost, comment and interact with others
- To answer any direct messages and/or forward onto other volunteers as appropriate
- To get involved in writing and proofing copy for physical leaflets, banners and pop-ups
- To attend marketing events as required
- To maintain a high-quality website with up-to-date content
- Work as part of a team to ensure regular support is available by negotiating rota hours with other volunteers
- Attend regular meetings and commit to improving skills and knowledge as appropriate
- Attend committee meetings when required to help improve the service and discuss ideas for development

Skills and knowledge needed to deliver this role:
- Experience with social media, including Facebook and Instagram (E)
- Experience managing a business or charity social media (D)
- Experience designing social media content using Canva (training can be provided for this) (D)
- Creatively minded, with a good eye for detail (E)
- To be able to communicate effectively, be articulate, with strong writing skills and the ability to feedback accurately (E)
- Experience using WordPress (D)
- Experience working with people struggling with their mental health or working towards a qualification in a person-centred skills (D)
- Friendly, approachable and empathetic (E)
- To be reliable and flexible (E)
- Excellent attitude working as part of a team of volunteers (E)

About The Person Centre
We are a completely volunteer-led, not-for-profit community organisation based in Warrington. Our aim is to empower as many people as possible to access the mental health support they deserve by listening and then connecting people to existing services in Warrington.

In return for your time, you will:

Have contributed significantly to the development of a growing non-for-profit community organisation
Gain essential skills for your CV in the mental health sector
Have an opportunity to be truly creative
Have a real positive impact on people’s lives in Warrington

The Person Centre updated their website address.

It's now easier to email The Person Centre

Are you familiar with the person centered approach? It was developed by Dr Carl Rogers and his colleagues in the first talking therapy.
Today there are many people who, although not working as psychotherapists and counsellors, use person-centred principles to guide them in their day-to-day work. If you would like to know more or find services offering a person-centered mental health support, get in touch.

Often we drift through our day talking to others but not truly being heard. Talking therapy can be a way to truly be heard in a non-judgemental, human to human way. Having a space where you are viewed unconditionally without judgement allows for healing to start to take place. You are able to view yourself as you; become who you are meant to be. Are you ready to take the first step?

Many might be familiar or never have heard of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. If you are on a waiting-list and need to know more or you are interested in the services offering CBT- get in touch with The Person Centre.

Feeling stressed lately?

We caught up with again, this time to find out about meditation. Many use meditation to help lower stress, improve sleep and reduce anxiety, and meditation has been shown to have many positive benefits to your mental health. Fancy giving it a go? Head to - her face to face classes are back up and running this month and she is also now running hypnobirthing sessions!

The Person Centre will shortly be launching our own meditation classes soon. Keep an eye on our page or send us a message to be added to our email list!

If you’re struggling with your mental health please know that there is lots of local support available in Warrington. You might be suffering from low mood or anxiety, you might feel lonely, or be experiencing bereavement. No matter how you’re struggling, our person-centred volunteers are here to listen and to help empower you to get the support you deserve.

If something doesn’t feel right, don’t suffer in silence. Simply fill in the form on our website and one of our lovely volunteers will be in touch.

https://thepersoncentre.wordpress.com/
Is it time to talk?

We’re at the end of , and so we’d like to finish the week by talking about something that has affected many of us over the past year and a half: loneliness.

Many people across the country and over the world have been isolating or shielding from others, understandably resulting in feelings of isolation and loneliness. Our research found that many people are feeling anxious around the uncertainty of when life will go back to ‘normal’ and that not being able to spend time with friends and family has been having a negative effect on their mental health.

Humans are social creatures, so therefore isolation feels unnatural for us, which is why it is understandable, although heartbreaking, that many are suffering. With the end of lockdown, many will resume to ‘normal life’, although for others, the past year of on-and-off isolation will have sadly had a lasting effect on their mental health.

Please know that if you are struggling you are not alone, and there is support available for you, which you deserve to receive.

If you would like to take the first step, visit our website and fill out the form and we will be in touch. https://thepersoncentre.wordpress.com/

You are not alone. Is it time to talk?

Grief is a normal and natural emotional reaction to loss. Nevertheless it can be overwhelming and cause you to feel sad, angry, frightened or lonely. Although it can feel difficult, sharing these emotions with others could help.

Grief has no time period and, just like we are all different, we all experience grief differently, too.
Remember - you can live your life and still keep the memory of something or someone you lost as an important part of you.

If you would like some support with experiencing grief, Warrington Bereavement Service is a good place to start - www.wbsupport.org.uk.

If you would like to speak to one of our volunteers about what support is available to you, simply fill out the form on our website and we will be in touch. https://thepersoncentre.wordpress.com/

You are not alone. Is it time to talk?

If you’re struggling with depression or feel you might need a bit of extra support, don’t suffer in silence. There is support available and you deserve it.

You could consider attending a PeerTalk mental health support group. They run every Monday from 7:00-8:30 at the Gateway and are a great place to meet others who have shared experience of suffering from mental health difficulties.

Directions for Men also run regular talk sessions as well as walking football groups.

If you’re interested in discussing any of these options, our lovely person-centred volunteers are here for a friendly no-pressure chat. Simply fill out the form on our website and one of our volunteers will be in touch.
https://thepersoncentre.wordpress.com/is-it-time-to-talk/

You are not alone. Is it time to talk?

When caring for others, it’s important to remember to look after yourself too. When on a fight, we’re told to put our own oxygen masks on first before helping others. This can be useful to remember when caring for a friend, too.

If you need some support for yourself head to our website and fill out the form, one of our volunteers will be in touch. https://thepersoncentre.wordpress.com/is-it-time-to-talk/

You are not alone. Is it time to talk?

Working from home has it’s benefits, however it can also be isolating. Practicing self care and staying connected with others can be a good way to make working from home more enjoyable.

Do you have any tricks or tips which make working from home easier? Please let us know in the comments, your ideas could help others!

If you’re struggling with working from home and you feel like it’s affecting your mental health, please don’t suffer in silence. Head to our website and fill out the form, one of our volunteers will be in touch to give you the support you deserve.
https://thepersoncentre.wordpress.com/

You are not alone. Is it time to talk?

How do you feel about coming out of lockdown? The important thing to remember is that no matter how you’re feeling, your feelings are valid.

It is okay to set your own boundaries and go at your own pace - just because we will be allowed to socialise again doesn’t mean that you have to. Think about what feels comfortable to you.Consider talking to a trusted person about how you’re feeling, they may help you to set your boundaries.

What are you doing to help with adjusting to being out of lockdown? Let us know in the comments.

If you’re struggling with coming out of lockdown, you’re not alone. If you need support fill out the form on: https://thepersoncentre.wordpress.com/is-it-time-to-talk/

You are not alone. Is it time to talk?

It’s !
We’re really excited to announce that we’re officially launching our telephone service today!

If you’re struggling with your emotions and are unsure where to go for help, The Person Centre is here to empower you to get the support that’s right for you.
If you’re finding it hard, you’re not alone. We found that 97% of people we surveyed were having at least some difficulty coping right now.

If you feel like you need some support, don’t suffer in silence. Simply fill in the form on our website and one of our lovely volunteers will be in touch.
www.thepersoncentre.wordpress.com/is-it-time-to-talk/

Remember, you are not alone. Is it time to talk?

It’s !
We’re really excited to announce that we’re officially launching our telephone service today!

If you’re struggling with your emotions and are unsure where to go for help, The Person Centre is here to empower you to get the support that’s right for you.
If you’re finding it hard, you’re not alone. We found that 97% of people we surveyed were having at least some difficulty coping right now.

If you feel like you need some support, don’t suffer in silence. Simply fill in the form on our website and one of our lovely volunteers will be in touch.
https://thepersoncentre.wordpress.com/is-it-time-to-talk/

Remember, you are not alone. Is it time to talk?

We asked you what books have helped you with your own mental health, or that helped you better understand mental health in general. Here is the first book review! Have you read this book? What did you think? Let us know in the comments!

Reasons To Stay Alive - Matt Haig
Throughout the book Matt gives a deep and personal insight about his own experiences suffering from depression and anxiety. This book could be a great comfort to someone who suffers from depression. Although mental illness can be isolating, Matt’s honest account of his experiences could help others feel less alone. Away from statistics and facts, Matt gives a really good account of how it really feels, breaking down stigmas surrounding mental illness as he goes.

Reasons To Stay Alive above all is about hope. Matt is living proof that recovery is possible and talks about what helped him overcome depression, and how you could too.

This book would be great for: people who suffer from depression, anxiety or mental health in general, and family and friends of those who do.

If you’d like to read this book, it is currently £5 on Amazon.

We caught up with Claire from to find out more about mindfulness.

Claire is a meditation teacher who is currently running online meditation classes, promotes mindfulness and offers distant reiki treatments. Please visit her page for more information.

Being on a waiting list can be difficult. It might have taken you a long time to build up the courage to seek help, only to find that there is a waiting list. Here are some suggestions of things you could try while you wait for the support you deserve. You’re not alone.

Sometimes the things we do to cope with the stresses of life actually result in more distress later. The technical term for this is ‘maladaptive coping mechanisms’. Although they are used as a way to cope, they actually sometimes make things worse.

You could take a moment to consider what coping mechanisms you have. In what circumstances do you use them? Are they truly serving you or is there anything else you could try instead?

Letting go of what does not serve you anymore can be a scary prospect, especially if it’s what you’ve been doing to cope for many years. However, leaving these behaviours behind could also help with leaving some of your distress behind too.

Let us know in the comments some of the positive things you do to cope.

Please consider donating to our new project, Time to Talk.

Your donation will help many people access the mental health support they need

How do I donate?
Your donation is much appreciated! You can donate any amount you can afford at: https://paypal.me/ThePersonCentre

Why should I donate?
Three lockdowns and social isolation for over a year has had an affect on us all. Our research found that 97.3% of people surveyed are having at least some difficulty coping, and only 13.7% of those people are currently receiving any support.

The good news is that there is lots of mental help support available in Warrington. Although our research found many people weren’t aware of what help is out there.

Our brand new service, Time To Talk, aims to bridge that gap, offering appointments where we can offer a safe and non-judgemental space to help people find a service that’s right for them. We will also support people to apply and keep in touch while they’re on any waiting lists.

How will my money be spent?
The Person Centre is a completely volunteer-led, non-profit project, so every penny will go towards essential set-up costs to make sure our service is as effective as possible, helping the most people.

If you’re able to donate – thank you so much! Together we will create a safe, warm environment where we hope healing can begin.

Thank you!

The Person Centre.

Donate today at: https://paypal.me/ThePersonCentre

For information of other ways you can help, please visit our website: https://thepersoncentre.wordpress.com/how-can-i-help/

If you need mental health support today know you are not alone. PeerTalk run mental health support groups every Monday in the Gateway (opposite the Golden Gates). They’re completely free, there’s no waiting lists and you don’t need a referral to attend.

They have a group tonight, 7:00-8:30. Is it time to talk?

Address: The Gateway, 89 Sankey Street, Warrington, WA1 1SR

It’s International Day of Happiness.

How do you feel right now? Take a moment to be aware of your body.

Being aware of ourselves and taking control of our own happiness is a powerful tool. But what does happiness mean to you? Can you recognise it?

Is it in your morning coffee? Or in a random smile from a stranger? Or hearing a favourite song on the radio? It could be in the small acts of kindness or attention you receive from a friend, a colleague or a family member.

If you pay attention, can you recognise what those moments are for you?

What made you happy today? Please let us know in the comments!

Mental illness can be lonely and isolating. Sometimes even in a full room these feelings can still be prevalent. You might feel like no one quite understands what you’re going through. Or maybe you feel like others have it worse than you; that your distress isn’t worthy of help. We’re here to say that you deserve to feel free from distress. Everyone has the right to seek support, no matter how much or little you might need. You’re not alone. You are worthy. You are seen.

‘Since day one, she’s already had everything she needs within herself. It’s the world that convinced her she did not’
- Rupi Kaur

Today is International Women’s Day. Did you know that in the year ending in March 2019, 1.6 million women experienced domestic abuse.
If you or someone you care about is experiencing domestic abuse, today could be the day to reach out for support. You’re not alone. Is it time to talk?

Sometimes we can't even speak to ourselves, so we never hear what we want ourselves to say. So is it time to talk? Is it time to be heard? Is it time to meet ourselves at last?

It’s eating disorder awareness week. If you need support, please visit https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk. They have extra support groups running this week! There is lots of information on their website and have a helpline for support. You’re not alone.

Sadly, the person who is often your harshest critic is yourself, but deep down you know that trying to reach that state of perfection is like trying to catch the moon in a net. So, just be you, because you are all you need right now. Isn't that great to know?