The Guiding Light Podcast

In an incredible gesture, R;pple's friend Ben Holmes has named a star after Josh and Alice, adding a new light of hope to the night sky. Alice Hendy MBE tells about it here: https://lnkd.in/eRA-jvW3 Ripple Suicide Prevention Charity, The Guiding Light Mental Health Charity, BH-Coaching and Consultancy

Yesterday, we planted 1,343 trees to honour the to whom died by way of suicide in the UK of Q1 of this year. Each tree stands as a tribute to a precious life and our commitment to creating a thriving environment where people can truly flourish. Thank you, Jim Holland at Carma | B-Corp, for helping us bring this to life at John Rankin Junior and Infants School in Newbury. Together, we planted 1,343 of these trees as part of a vital community project. Why trees? Because, just like us, they need the right environment to grow strong. At The Guiding Light Mental Health Charity, we’re committed to building that kind of support for mental health. #MentalHealthMatters #SuicideAwareness #CommunityHealing #TheGuidingLight #YouAreNotAlone

41 Months Sober and Drug FREE today. My last relapse lasted two long years a journey through pain, learning, and finding my way back to the light. Recovery hasn’t been an easy path, but every single day has been worth it. I'm filled with gratitude for those who believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself, for the loved ones who stood by my side, and for the strength I found within. This milestone is not just mine; it’s for everyone fighting their own battles, whether in silence or in the open. #YouAreWorthIt Keep going! If you’re reading this and feeling the weight of struggle, please know: change is possible. You’re stronger than you think, and there’s a whole community ready to lift you up. #YouAreNeverAlone #41MonthsSober #DrugFree #Gratitude #Strength #Recovery #MentalHealth #OneDayAtAtime #WeDoRecover

This is you’re Saturday dose of HOPE. If I can! You can! 💙🙏 #WeDoRecover #YouAreNotAlone #MentalHealth

Autism is not an illness. It’s not something to “fix.” Autism is a neurological difference a unique way of seeing and experiencing the world. “Autism is not a processing error; it’s a different operating system.” Supportive Approach: Embrace neurodiversity by recognising and celebrating the strengths, insights, and creativity that autistic individuals bring. Simple acts of understanding and acceptance go a long way in creating a more inclusive world. #AutismAcceptance #Neurodiversity #MentalHealth #DifferentNotLess #YouAreNotAlone

One Year: From Success to True Fulfilment (photo's may not tell the full story ) Picture on the Left: At the peak of my career, I had it all on paper: → Promoted to Chief Operating Officer. → The best KPIs and growth the company had seen. → Externally, it looked like the best time of my life. But in reality, it was one of the worst times for my mental health. → I was suffering in silence, with no real support system. → The stress was overwhelming, and I felt completely disconnected. Roll on a Year… Now, everything has changed: → I’m in a much healthier relationship with myself and those around me. → I’m active 3 times a week, prioritizing my physical and mental well-being. → I have a support system that truly understands and meets my needs. The journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth every step. I’ve learned that success isn’t just about career achievements it’s about living authentically and taking care of your mental health. #YouAreNeverAlone #MentalHealth What has your journey been like this past year? #Recovery #OneDayAtATime #Autism #DifferentNotLess

Tough weekend. Working on the The Guiding Light Mental Health Charity: website Pushing Through Challenges with Gratitude and Support It’s been a weekend of high anxiety, but today I’m grateful for the support systems in my life. Started the morning with my home group at Narcotics Anonymous, followed by a much needed Starbucks coffee and some music to reset. Tonight, I’ll be sharing dinner with fellowship, surrounded by people who understand. #Fellowship At The Guiding Light Mental Health, our mission is to offer a support system to everyone because no one should face their struggles alone. 👊Raising awareness 👊Building connections (without judgment) 👊Offering fulfillment Together, we can create a community where everyone feeling part of. #YouAreNeverAlone #MentalHealthMatters #GuidingLightCharity #ADHD #AddictionRecovery #AutismAwareness #ConnectionMatters #BreakingTheStigma

Being #Autistic, socialising and presenting can be really tough, but with the tools I’ve developed, I’m able to show up and participate confidently. Had a brilliant time at the Young Storage Network (YSN) event today! Some truly wonderful presentations from Rahul Vekaria of Amax Marketing and Mind I’m feeling so inspired towards my goals of BH-Coaching and Consultancy and The Guiding Light Mental Health Charity Top tips on how I manage #Autism overwhelm 👊Sensory breaks 🛑 – Stepping away to reset when things get too much. 👊Visual planning 📅 – Mapping out tasks to stay on track. 👊Fidget tools ✋ – Keeping my hands busy helps me sit through social situations. PS: shout out to Chris Fletcher, Simone Smith, Moiz Syed and Sarah Manning (Jones) being a friendly face and allowing me to be me! #Inclusion #YSN #Neurodiversity #ADHD #Autism #MentalHealth #YouAreNotAlone

Open Letter: Loss and Grief: It’s always at night time when I feel closest to you. When the world finally quiets down, and the sky stretches out above me, I find myself looking for that star that I bought in honour of you. (your star). It feels like there’s more room for us in those still moments, even though you’re not here anymore. But in some strange way, you’re still with me everywhere I go. As time moves on, I’ve realized how much of you remains alive in me. Since you’ve been gone, I’ve started to see our connection in ways I never could before. It’s funny there were times when we felt distant, yet now I see all the ways we were so alike. The space you left behind has found a home inside me. It hurts, but there’s comfort in it too. I’m learning, slowly, how to fill that void with love, hope, and life again. When you passed, it felt like a part of me went with you. But over time, I’ve come to understand that the strength I carry now comes from that grief. Losing you has reshaped me, and though it’s been brutally hard, I’m starting to realise just how strong I’ve become. It’s not easy feeling like you’re still with me, but not being able to see or hold you. It’s disorienting, and it’s lonely. But somehow, that emptiness has built resilience in me, even when the weight of it feels unbearable. I’ve also had to learn how to reach out. I know now that I can’t do this on my own, and finding the strength to lean on others when the pain becomes too much has been a challenge. #YouAreNotAlone But I’m learning that real strength isn’t just about bearing it all alone it’s about knowing when to ask for help and accepting that it’s okay to lean on others for support. #ItsOkayNotToBeOkay I’ll carry you with me forever. I’ll always remember that you lived, that you were loved, and that you loved me. Maybe now I have more love to give because I’m carrying both your love and mine. I’ve found strength in that, even though it’s taken time to understand. Sometimes I carry you with pain, sometimes with joy, and sometimes with deep gratitude. Often, it’s all those emotions mixed together. I suppose that’s what grief is it shapes us, teaches us to keep going, and gives us strength we didn’t know we had. I’ll never stop carrying you with me, just like I’ll never stop looking for that star in the sky that feels like a little piece of you watching over me (your star The Guiding Light Mental Health Star). With all my love, Ben #MentalHealth #YouAreNotAlone #Recovery #JustForToday #OneDayAtATime #Grief

An Open Letter on Mental Health: Let’s Talk About it; Addiction, Autism, and Feelings. I want to open up about something we don’t talk about enough: mental health. Whether you struggle with addiction, are on the autism spectrum, or simply feel overwhelmed by your emotions this is for you. Addiction is a battle that many fight silently. It’s not just about substances; it can be behaviors, thoughts, and patterns that we feel trapped in. Addiction doesn’t make you weak or broken; it makes you human. If you’re in that place right now, know that asking for help isn’t a sign of failure it’s an act of courage. You deserve support and recovery. #WeDoRecover For those on the autism spectrum, the world can sometimes feel overwhelming and difficult to navigate. Many feel misunderstood or dismissed. Neurodiversity should be celebrated, not hidden. If you’re on this journey, your feelings are valid, and you deserve love, patience, and acceptance exactly as you are. #YouAreGoodEnough And then there’s the struggle with feelings. Life is full of highs and lows, and sometimes emotions can feel like waves crashing over us. Whether it’s sadness, anxiety, or even numbness, it’s okay to feel what you’re feeling. Emotions need to be acknowledged, not fixed or hidden. It’s okay to not be okay; you are not alone, and reaching out for support is always a step forward. #ItsOkayNotToBeOkay Mental health isn't linear, and it's not one size fits all. We each have our battles, struggles, and victories. What matters most is that we keep showing up for ourselves and for each other. #YouAreNotAlone So today, if you're reading this, I want you to know: you matter. Your struggles, your triumphs, and everything in between are part of who you are, and you deserve to be heard and cared for. #IBelieveInYou #WorldMentalHealthDay #MentalHealthMatters #SupportEachOther #ADHDAwareness #YouAreNotAlone #Autism #Recovery