Hope in Depression-Mental health Pandemic recovery

by Hope in Depression - Mental Health Pandemic Recovery in Ascot, Windsor and Maidenhead, United Kingdom

Total raised £8,664

raised so far

+ est. £500.75 Gift Aid

41

supporters

Hope in Depression's main aim is to encourage people out of isolation, to join a course that improves mood and shows them they are not alone

by Hope in Depression - Mental Health Pandemic Recovery in Ascot, Windsor and Maidenhead, United Kingdom

We're still collecting donations

On the 17th December 2021 we'd raised £8,386 with 41 supporters in 29 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.

 New stretch target

This extra money will provide the course for more people who are either struggling with their mental health or supporting someone who is. 

The extra money will allow us to train more course leaders and facilitators, provide our course book to all attendees (rrp £18), and ultimately encourage hope in those who feel there is none. 

This extra funding will also go towards our fund to update our expert talks.


Where it all began...

Hope in Depression started as an informative, sharing, support group for sufferers of depression and anxiety back in October 2013 after my own personal experience. Over the last 8 years, we have grown and developed into a 6-week course, that empowers, educates, and equips sufferers of depression and anxiety.  We became a registered charity in July 2018. 

Why we are unique...

The course is also for people wanting to help loved ones who are experiencing mental health issues. During the first session on the course, my husband shares his perspective from getting it wrong and now knowing what to do and what to say. We are unique because the course brings both sufferers and supporters together to bring more understanding and help.

How depression and anxiety impact...

Depression and anxiety are debilitating and, potentially, life-threatening diseases; they are entirely indiscriminate, attacking young and old, wealthy, and poor, people from every nationality, ethnicity, culture, social background, and lifestyle. These illnesses often result in family breakdown, loss of employment, reliance on strong medication, and physical and mental isolation for those suffering and, in some cases, loss of life. They also impact profoundly on partners, loved ones, friends, and acquaintances who observe the person they know descending into isolation, negativity, and hopelessness, often believing that no recovery is possible.

Our main aim...

Our main objective is to provide HOPE to people who believe there is none. As someone with lived experience of depression and anxiety, I knew people needed a lifeline and a space that normalised what they were going through.   

What we do...

Hope in Depression provides courses designed to help sufferers and supporters/carers of depression and anxiety, to understand what is happening physically and how to care for themselves or others. The course has 6 two-hour weekly sessions and is free.

How we do it...

The Hope in Depression course provides a safe and confidential space, a place to put down the ‘I’m fine’ mask and just be real.  This allows people to relate to one another and to realise that they are not alone.

Over the 6 weeks, we cover several vital subjects, each talk is given by an expert in that field.  

Our speakers are...

  • Psychiatrist, 
  • GP, 
  • Integrative Therapist, 
  • Nutritional Therapist, 
  • Mindfulness Instructor, 
  • Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer
  • And many stories of recovery.

The course covers brain chemistry and how lifestyle and medication can improve our chemistry; nutrition – how food affects mood and meal planning; benefits of physical activity and goal setting; (some of our fitness instructor's recommendations are below), anxiety and depression - why we experience anxiety and how to manage those symptoms and mindfulness practices.

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Who delivers the course...

Our courses are delivered by our network of partners, all of whom are trained, and offer a safe and confidential environment. When a local community identifies a need for this programme, local people volunteer to help run the course and act as facilitators. They are trained by the charity so that they are able to support those attending the programme both during and after completion. This sustains support and builds assets in that local community. Before the pandemic, the courses were held in local churches but since the first lockdown, we have been providing the courses online via zoom.  Whilst the courses have been based through the church network, it welcomes everyone of all faiths and none and is non-judgemental.

How Covid has affected our delivery...

Back in November 2018, we raised money to professionally film all our speakers in a studio environment. This allowed us to reach more people and to not rely on our speakers having to travel.  This has been an invaluable resource, allowing us to pivot during the pandemic and provide our courses online.  Over the last 18 months, we have served 323 people with 108 volunteers. People need to connect and amazingly this does work on zoom.

All our speakers are volunteers and give their time freely.  

We fundraise to cover the cost...

It costs £53.60 per person to attend a course and includes our amazing coursebook (rrp £13). The more money we raise the more people we can help.  We will never charge for people to attend.  The course is free for all.  1634839038_course_booklets_stack_image.jpg

What your donations will do...

This crowdfunding money will allow us to train more course leaders and provide more courses.  Since the pandemic, the demand has grown.  As a team, we want to meet this very real need and provide the lifeline that this course is. 

If we go over target, the extra money will allow us to film some more speaker talks. Our speakers are experts in their field, to see them outside of the course would cost money, by providing what they teach to our attendees, we offer a valuable source of information that builds up attendees toolboxes to go forward in life, more equipped to cope, empowered to choose and educated to benefit from the knowledge.

What our attendees say...

The stats...

Since the first course back in October 2013, we have collected feedback from our attendees and course partners. This has allowed us to improve, develop and maintain a high quality of material and care.  

Two of the questions allowed us to collect the following statistics.

Have you benefitted from attending the course?’ 97% said yes.

‘Has your mood improved?’ 96% said yes. 

I think you'll agree this is an incredible success rate.

The quotes...

Here are some quotes from a few of our feedback forms.

“Just six weeks ago, I was feeling dreadful and now I am feeling enthusiastic and, most importantly, have belief and hope in my own decisions.”

“Now I have learned useful techniques and tools, I need to embark on the journey. I feel well equipped to face the challenges ahead.”

“At the end of the first session, I realised that I had listened for 2 hours, the content rang true, so very true, with what I was feeling. It completely changed my life… the fact that it is available through zoom has meant that others outside the area can join in.”

I love the coursebook. It will be my guide.”

We need your help...

Please help us reach more people and let them know they are not alone and they can feel better.  There is always hope, life is to enjoy, not endure!

The following short films are testimonies from two of our attendees.  The last film is our promo film, which course partners share when promoting the course.  

Rewards

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Rewards

This project offered rewards

£30 or more

Yoga with Lucy Victoria Jackson Value £60

Lucy is an Ascot based Yoga Teacher, Crystal Singing Bowl Practitioner & Wellbeing Writer. 6 classes in person in Cheapside, Ascot, or 3 months of online classes https://www.lucyvictoriajackson.com/ Lucy specialises in Vinyasa Flow & Yin Yoga, with a strong focus on encouraging students to connect with themselves and to dive deeper. She holds space to allow people to explore, to open up, and to express themselves freely.

£15 or more

£15 donation for a HID fridge magnet

A Hope in Depression fridge magnet. This will help 'start the conversation' and provide an opportunity to ask 'How are you?' twice, 'How are you really?'.

£20 or more

Handmade Leather Portfolio Professional Value £40

Leather Portfolio Professional A4 Padfolio - Document and CV Folder with Luxury Pen, Stylish Organizer Folio for Writing Notepad with Business Card Holder, Ideal Gift Portfolios for Men and Women https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leather-Portfolio-Professional-Padfolio-Portfolios/dp/B0793RPGQR https://www.moonsterproducts.com/uk/

£23 or more

B-Fit Ascot Combined Strength and Pilates class

Value £35 - A half-term (could be 6 or 7 classes) worth of COMBINED STRENGTH AND PILATES classes on a Monday evening with post-class recordings https://bfitascot.co.uk/ Bernice is a fantastic personal trainer and can help anyone at any stage in their fitness. Bernice is passionate about working with women to help them improve their overall core strength and fitness. offering classes for pregnancy, postnatal, and beyond, including runners

£30 or more

£30 reward

A Hope in Depression limited edition mug. A great way to 'start the conversation', because there really is hope, everyone can feel better. We want to create opportunities to ask 'How are you?' twice. The course is a solution for anyone struggling with anxiety and depression and for anyone who is supporting someone who is.

£35 or more

Two 3 course meals at The Royal Foresters in Ascot

Enjoy a 3-course meal out for two at the wonderful Royal Foresters in Ascot. Redeemable between Monday and Thursday only ( no high days) Meal constitutes of 2starters, 2 mains and 2 desserts. Booking in advance by calling us to book a table. Value approx. £65, this is dependent on what you order.

£50 or more

£50 donation for 2 HID mugs

Two mugs! Invite a friend round for a cup of tea, this is a great way to 'start the conversation', because there really is hope, everyone can feel better. We want opportunities to ask 'How are you?' twice. The course is a solution for anyone struggling with anxiety and depression and for anyone who is supporting someone who is. Signpost to our course, it will help.

£5 or more

A day pass at The Fitness Space, Ascot Value £10

Value £10 - State-of-the-art gym, digitally-connected equipment, – join Fitness Space and you'll Never Train Alone... https://www.fitnessspace.com/ To be used in 2022

£5 or more

Feet - Soak, Scrub & Massage value £7.50

Feet - Soak, Scrub & Massage - 20 mins from a local beauty business called Green Beauty Room based in Wokingham. https://www.facebook.com/GreenBeautyRoom/?ref=page_internal

£7 or more

Chapmans of Sunninghill - £10 credit note

A credit note for the value of £10 to be used in the store. https://www.chapmansironmongers.co.uk/

£10 or more

The Barber Shop - Hamza in Sunningdale value £17

Voucher for a haircut in the amazing Hamza Barbershop in Sunningdale Valid for 6 months from 17th December Visit Hamzas Facebook page here: https://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/category/Hair-Salon/The-Barber-Shop-Sunningdale-2144788339130487/

£10 or more

Raw4Pets £15 gift voucher, use in store or online

Raw4Pets offers quality raw pet food for all your furry loved ones to enjoy. https://raw4pets.uk/ email: [email protected] facebook/raw4pets Shop: Titan, 9 Eastern Road, Bracknell, RG12 2PW

£10 or more

Ascot Pizza Project 2 pizzas Value approx £20

Project is a sophisticated Cafe-Restaurant, offering relaxed all-day dining. Bringing you flavours from around the globe. We create flavours you could only dream of! Available to dine in, takeaway or delivery. https://www.ascotpizzaproject.co.uk/

£15 or more

Cliff Roe Sports Shop £20 voucher

The outstanding Cliff Roe sports shop provides fantastic quality sports equipment. Check out their website www.cliffroesports.com Valid for 1 year (expires 26/10/22)

£15 or more

Longacre's garden centre £20 Voucher

Longacres Garden Centre is a premier source of gardening supplies in the UK. They have a wide range of home supplies, pet supplies, Christmas supplies, and specialist food as well as gardening supplies. https://www.longacres.co.uk/ No expiry date, use whenever

£15 or more

A private Ukulele lesson in Ascot Value £30

A one hour private Ukulele lesson - to be taken in either 1 one hour lesson or 2 half hour lessons. https://emilyblythmusic.co.uk/

£18 or more

A Genuine Leather journal for Women Value £25

Genuine Leather Journal for Women - Beautiful Handmade A5 Leather Bound Notebook with Embossed Heart Cover - for Daily Drawing and Sketching - Perfect 20x15 cm Size for Travel or Writing on The Go https://www.amazon.co.uk/Genuine-Leather-Journal-Women-Beautiful/dp/B07H7T28GS?th=1 https://www.moonsterproducts.com/uk/

£18 or more

Handmade Leather journal - tree of life Value £25

Leather Journal Tree of Life - A5 Writing Notebook with Gift Bag - Handmade Leatherbound Daily Notepad for Men and Women Blank Paper 20 x 15cm - Ideal Gift for Art Sketchbook and Journals to Write in https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leather-Journal-Tree-Life-Leatherbound/dp/B071WKH3VS https://www.moonsterproducts.com/uk/

£20 or more

Sport or deep tissue massage for 1 hour Value £45

Kinetic Therapies were established in September 2020, they are a massage therapy clinic in Finchampstead, near Wokingham. They specialise in massage treatments designed to help you recover from sports injury or persistent muscle and joint pain. www.kinetictherapies.co.uk

£20 or more

Full set of gel nails at Studio@144 Value £30

Kirsty offers a beautiful one colour set of gel nails. Kirsty is based in Lightwater. Value is £30, grabbed this bargain for just £20!

£25 or more

Guinot Hydraclean facial in Ascot Salon

The Guinot Hydraclean facial is for all skin types. Value is £32. Valid for 6 months from 29/10/21

£26 or more

Back neck & shoulder massage at Aura Spa Value £38

A 25 minutes aromatherapy massage for just £26. Aura Spa uses genuine Aromatherapy Associates body oils in all our treatments. Made from 100% natural plant oils, essential oils are absorbed in to the blood stream enhancing cell renewal, circulation and detoxification while their aromas act on the deepest parts of the brain to enhance your mood and emotions.

£28 or more

Dog Groom from Helen in Longcross Value £40

Helen is an experienced dog groomer, who loves, cuddles, and caringly pampers your pooch. Normally £40, get this offer for £28 only!

£28 or more

TROPIC mask magic collection gift set Value £40

Our local tropic ambassador Lisa Bygrave has donated this wonderful pampering set. PM Lisa on Facebook for her shop. The epitome of self-care, masking is the ultimate way for you to say ‘pamper time!’ and celebrate someone who adores indulging in a little luxury – or yourself! Collection contains: Clear Skin blemish-fighting mask (50ml) Deep Hydration soothing cooling mask (50ml) Face Lift brightening tightening mask (50ml) Mask Spatula

£30 or more

A tote bag full of TONI & GUY products Value £107

A fantastic selection of hair products from Toni & Guy in Ascot, all together in a lovely gift box Karastase Volumifique 200ml £21.95 Kerastase Volumintense 200ml £19.95 label.m dry shampoo 200ml £14.75 label.m moisturising shampoo 300ml £15.25 label.m Shine mist spray 50ml £4.95 WOW root cover-up rouge £15.75 Tote Bag Label.m £15 This will need to be from someone local, we will drop to anywhere in Ascot.

£30 or more

A £50 voucher for The Stag in Ascot

A £50 voucher to use at The Stag on Ascot High Street on food and drinks.

£39 or more

TROPIC bedtime bliss collection Value £56

Our local Tropic ambassador Lisa Bygrave has kindly donated this wonderful gift set which will help anyone enjoy a better night's sleep. Please PM Lisa on facebook to find out what other wonderful products she has available. This collection contains: So Sleepy luxury bath foam (100ml) So Sleepy Whipped Body Velvet intensely rich buttermelt (50ml) Deep Hydration soothing cooling mask (50ml) So Sleepy cleansing body pebble (130g)"

£40 or more

The Thatched Tavern, Cheapside a £50 gift voucher

This beautiful 400-year-old beamed tavern, with its cosy bar and glowing fires serve traditional heartwarming bar food such as; 12-hour slow-roasted shoulder of lamb; and Pan-seared calves liver with classic bubble & squeak, crispy bacon & red wine jus. Good ‘old-fashioned’ indulgence is the order of the day in the restaurant, where you’ll find classic English fayre and daily fresh fish specials on the a la carte menu.

£45 or more

Dermalogica Pro 60 Facial Value £65

A 1-hour facial treatment using Dermalogica professional-grade products fully customised to address all skin concerns, in a soothing environment made for relaxation, leaving your skin radiant and glowing. Value £65 Amanda Wicks provides advanced skin treatments and beauty therapy with 25+ years experience in the industry. Based in Warfield, Berkshire. Check out Amanda's details on her Facebook page here @amandawicks.professionals

£50 or more

5 hours of professional coaching with Ian Brown

Value £300 - Helping business leaders master sustainable energy, achieving more without working harder or longer https://www.linkedin.com/company/ian-browne-coaching/

£60 or more

£60 for 1Windsor Great Park, individual membership

Normally £89 for an Individual Membership of Windsor Great Park Escape to the tranquillity of the Garden or explore the variety that The Great Park has to offer for just £60 Park at any of these Windsor Great Park car parks: The Savill Garden Wick Road (Members only) Virginia Water Virginia Water South Ranger's Gate Cranbourne Gate Plus Unlimited entry to The Savill Garden Up to 4 free children aged 5-15yr

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