Second Step

It started with a conversation. Drew’s past experiences such as being bullied meant he found it hard to build trusting relationships. When he first met Ezra through our Hope Project, he was struggling with his mental health, facing homelessness, and having suicidal thoughts. He’d been let down by services before and lost his faith that anyone could help. But from his first meeting with Ezra, Drew felt someone was finally listening. It took time to build trust, but with each conversation he began to open up more. This meant Ezra could support Drew through the stresses going on in his life, from coping with the challenges of being emergency housed to rebuilding his confidence. Now Drew is living independently, has many friends and hobbies, and runs his own businesses. Drew has decided to share his story to help break down the stigma around talking about suicidal feelings and the idea of 'man up'. Read Drew’s story on our website News Hub – https://lnkd.in/eR3Z5SuJ - The latest stats show that suicide rates in England and Wales are the highest since 1999, and three-quarters of people who take their own life are male. This #WorldSuicidePreventionDay, we want to change the narrative on suicide and raise awareness of the need for vital suicide prevention projects such as Hope. The strength of Drew’s bond with Ezra shows how valuable having just one person by your side during tough times can be. #StartTheConversation

Have you heard of the latest fitness fad called rucking? This free and effective workout regime has been trending with people attracted to its simplicity; just put on a weighted rucksack and get walking! James Hughes found rucking when he was diagnosed with diabetes and wanted to get fit. He didn’t expect that it would have a positive impact on his mental health too. This Movember, Stepladder is encouraging men across Somerset to take small steps to improve your physical and mental wellbeing. Go to bit.ly/4f9EL9p to see how rucking transformed one man’s mental and physical wellbeing. #movember2024 #movember #mensmentalhealth

This November, Bristol Wellbeing College are running a new Men’s Mental Health course developed by Bristol Wellbeing Tutor Tom. Made up of three sessions through the month, the course will consider specific challenges and factors that uniquely impact men. The main themes will focus on understanding the fundamentals of mental health, whilst reflecting on where men sit in an evolving world and how to find purpose, identity and community in a time of great change. Describing the course, Tom said: “The course will look at the fundamentals of mental health, emotional awareness, assertive communication, and aims to help men reflect on the impact that roles, stereotypes and expectations have on their wellbeing - how being a man has fundamentally shaped their journey. “We hope that learners finish the course with a greater understanding of themselves - where to go next and what they need to get there, equipping learners with an action plan for positive progress and helping make decisions in line with their values.” You can find out more about the Men’s Mental Health Course and Bristol Wellbeing College here: https://lnkd.in/ehPzzwDc #puttingmentalhealthfirst #mensmentalhealth

“You have to start with the small steps.” Last week Stepladder spoke to 10Radio about the small steps men can take to make a big difference. Listen again at www.10Radio.org today at 5.30pm, Tuesday at 11.30am or Wednesday at 6.30am. #mensmentalhealth #movember #mdnsmentalhealthawareness

Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month is back! And to kick things off Stepladder will be talking about how men can take small steps to make a big difference on Somerset’s 10Radio. Tune in at 10.30 to listen live. #mensmentalhealth #movember #Mensmentalhealthmonth

Everyone’s journey is unique to them. Drew’s story is just that, it is just as unique as he is. When Ezra met Drew for the first time, he was facing homelessness and about to be emergency housed. He was mistrustful, anxious and lacked self-confidence due to past trauma. But over time, Ezra’s experience, kindness and genuine interest in his life helped Drew start to trust. Ezra supported Drew with all kinds of things, from helping him cope during his time in emergency housing to helping him access benefits. They worked on his self-confidence together by going out to eat or shop in public – activities Drew found very difficult before. Ezra also saw how important Drew’s interests, such as YouTube and the Paranormal, were to him. They talked about them regularly which helped inspire Drew to get involved in his hobbies again. Drew now lives independently, has made friends through his hobbies, and runs his own businesses. In September, we shared Drew’s story here (visit our profile to watch). Now, Ezra shares her/their reflections on what it was like to work with Drew and support him to achieve such amazing things: “Drew has been on a huge journey, from near homelessness to independent living, and he has worked extraordinarily hard to achieve all his goals. “His passion for life, his sense of humour, his friendliness, compassion for others, his never-ending dedication to make things better, has been inspirational to me and to others. “I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to support him, as well as all the gentlemen I have worked with.” Read Ezra’s full article on our website – link in bio. Ezra works with the Hope Project, our men’s suicide prevention project which provides emotional and practical support to men aged 30-64 living in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire who are in psychological distress due to their finances, housing or employment circumstances. Search ‘Hope Project Bristol’ online to find out more. #HopeAndCourage #MensMentalHealth #MaleMentalHealth #SuicidePrevention #MaleSuicidePrevention #BristolMentalHealth

We are currently seeking a motivated and experienced expert(s) to undertake a review of Board non-executive payments. Our dynamic voluntary Board includes people with lived experience and a Chair, who receives an honorarium. We welcome proposals and applications from experts who meet the criteria and encourage applications from those with experience of governance in the voluntary and/or public sector. Please email siobhan.conway@second-step.co.uk to request the Commissioning Brief. #succeedingtogether

Can you help us review how our Board of Trustees works? We are looking for an experienced consultant to review our skilled and dynamic Board to make sure it’s the best it can be. Our Board is made up of 12 non-Executives including people with lived experience. Can you: - Deliver recommendations on how the Board can work to its highest level - Ensure the Board is functioning effectively - Ensure the Board is delivering its objectives and responsibilities We are currently encouraging proposals from experienced facilitators, experts who meet the criteria, and those with experience of governance in the voluntary and/or public sector. Please email siobhan.conway@second-step.co.uk to request the Commissioning Brief. #succeedingtogether

Words matter. We are reminding media organisations of the importance of following the Samaritan’s media guidelines when reporting suicide. When a celebrity or high-profile person dies by suicide there is a risk of an increase in suicide deaths using the method reported in the article. A study published in 2020 found that the risk of suicide contagion among the population in the weeks and months afterwards is up to 30 per cent. Suicide Prevention and Specialist Suicide Bereavement Manager at Second Step, Marina O’Brien, was prompted to make a complaint to The Independent about their reporting of the death of England cricketer, Graham Thorpe. Read more on our website about how this pressure caused The Independent to rethink their language around suicide deaths: https://lnkd.in/eCHn3aX7 #hopeandcourage #WorldMentalHealthDay #suicideprevention

Pain can come with overwhelming changes and challenges. Bristol Wellbeing College is running a free 4-week course for adults (18+) in Bristol all about Managing Pain. We will look at how pain impacts different areas of our lives, building awareness of the ways it affects us and strategies we can use to cope. Pain is intensified with lack of sleep, stress, anxiety and other mental health issues. We will reflect on and practice techniques to improve mental health and wellbeing through behaviours and lifestyle, which support us to create a more fulfilling life and sense of identity. When: Tuesday 15th, 22nd, 29th October and 5th November 10.30am – 12.30pm Where: Wellspring Settlement, 43 Ducie Road, Barton Hill, Bristol BS5 0AX Who can sign up: All adults (18 years+) who live in Bristol are welcome.      Find out more and sign up on our website – https://lnkd.in/e9KchjyV #BristolWellbeingCollege #PutYourMentalHealthFirst