The Guiding Light Mental Health Charity

🌍 Community Spirit at Its Best! 🌱✨# Yesterday was an unforgettable day for us at Carma! 💚 With a dedicated team of volunteers, we gathered at John Rankin Junior and Infants School in Newbury to plant 1,000 hedgerows as part of a vital community project. 🌳💪 These trees are part of a larger 1,343-tree donation from the inspiring Ben Holmes at The Guiding Light Mental Health Charity. Each tree symbolizes a life lost to suicide in the UK in Q1 of this year – a powerful reminder of community, connection, and support. 🌱💔 We were warmly welcomed by Flora, the dynamic Head of the school, who made sure we were well-cared for and ready to make a difference! 🙏🌞 Shout out to Steve Masters for his incredible organization and help in creating such a memorable and impactful day. 🌟 It was also amazing to meet Paul Foley & Vick from Origin Suregreen Ltd who popped in to say hello, and watch me eat breakfast 😅 And an extra cheer for Grace (yes, we know, “Amazing Grace” 😉) and the fantastic team from Kid-A – Dave & Genge, – for joining us and making the day even brighter. ✨ Together, we’re planting seeds of change – one tree at a time. 💚🌍 #CarmaCommunity #GrowingTogether #TreePlantingDay #MentalHealthMatters #HopeAndHealing #SustainabilityInAction 🌿🌳

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

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

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

Since losing my little brother, Josh, to suicide in November 2020, life has been difficult – to say the least. Along the way, I have met some incredible people. People who are genuinely kind and beautiful souls who all want to make the world a better place. Most of these people have their own stories to share, their own struggles, and their own way of dealing with what life has thrown at them. One person though that I’d like to call out is Ben Holmes. Since meeting Ben on his podcast, he has brightened up my life with his humour, his honesty, his kindness, how he checks in on me, and his commitment to improving the mental health landscape. But he hasn’t just brightened up my life, he’s brightened up the sky too! Ben has recently named a star after my brother and I. The star provides an opportunity for me to honour Josh by assigning his name to a celestial body. Mine and Josh’s star is now officially recorded in the International Space Registry and will be something I will always cherish. Ben – thank you not only for this thoughtful gesture, but also for making the world a better place. I’ll be looking out for our star tonight. #MentalHealth #SuicidePrevention

Grateful to be wired differently ; Autism, ADHD, and Addiction can feel like heavy labels to carry. #SuperPower For many of us, being neurodivergent means seeing and experiencing the world through a completely different lens. One that's not always easy, often frustrating and scary. The battle with low confidence, insecurities, overstimulation, struggling to fit in and racing thoughts. Sometimes, can lead us down dark paths like depression, addiction and isolation. Addiction and depression is a trap, a cycle that’s so hard to break, especially when you feel disconnected, misunderstood, or unheard. In 2017 I started to end my cycle (taken almost 8 years)! but being homeless was more than just lacking shelter for me. It’s was a daily battle of fear and survival, fighting off the feeling of being worthless and that I had been forgotten by the world. But here's the truth: there’s always hope! I PROMISE! #YouCan and I did it. ✨ Recovery is possible. One Day At A Time #Odaat ✨ Understanding my neurodiversity can be a superpower. (still learning) ✨ Finding community and support has change everything. #Fellowship ✨ New ways of living are within reach. There will always be! #SoberLife For every hardship, there’s a path forward. Therapy, community programs, fellowship, neurodivergent friendly work environments, and recovery centers are all part of a new way to live. It’s not about “fixing” us, it’s about empowering ourselves to thrive in ways that work for us. Being wired differently is a strength. Being different is beautiful. Don’t ever give up. There’s a brighter future waiting for you, just one small step at a time. For consultancy or coaching support email me at ben@theguidinglight.co.uk I am also ICF and ADHD trained by ADHD Works thanks to Leanne Maskell #Neurodiversity #Autism #ADHD #AddictionRecovery #YouAreNotAlone #Hope #EmbraceYourself #NewBeginnings #ADHDAwarenessMonth

YOU ARE NOT ALONE: A year ago, I lost my partner, and it felt like my whole world shattered. I never thought I would make it through those dark few months! But here I am 12 months on. Sober and drug free if it wasn’t for the unwavering support of my incredible network I wouldn’t have found the strength to keep going. Today, I am beyond excited to announce the launch of The Guiding Light Mental Health Charity with Chris Gilham Together, we aim to create a beacon of hope for those facing similar struggles. Our mission is simple but profound. We prioritise: Raising Awareness & Ending Stigma It's time to break the silence and open the conversation around mental health and grief. Building Connections: We believe in the power of community. Together, we can lift each other up. Offering Fulfillment: We're here to help individuals find purpose and joy again, no matter how lost they may feel. Join us on this journey as we spread light and support to those who need it most. Check out our Website - https://lnkd.in/esXvEeXu Remember, you are not alone! #GuidingLightCharity #MentalHealthAwareness #YouAreNotAlone #CommunitySupport

Fantastic evening at Ripple Suicide Prevention Charity event with some raw discussions with Alice Hendy MBE and Matt Wilkie. Suidice is the biggest Killier in under 45 year old men in the UK and The Guiding Light Mental Health Charity TOP priorities will be campaigning for #MentalHealth reform. Raising awanress. Building connection and Offering fulfilment

#WeDoRecover this is why the The Guiding Light Mental Health Charity has been started! *Raising Awareness* **Building Connection** *** Offering Fulfilment*** Check out our latest episode of the podcast https://lnkd.in/eJfTQ8sZ