Blog

A movement of like-minded people Solent Mind’s CEO Kevin Gardner reflects on his RED January experience and his plans for 2019. I had no real hesitation when asked if I was signing up for Red January 2019 – it was an enthusiastic ‘Yes!’ from me. I was part of the...

I have a lot of different perspectives on working for Solent Mind: the first is just that it's almost miraculous I'm well enough to do this job, being ‘a bit of a mess’ when I first came into Mind. I’ve been a volunteer at Fareham Wellbeing Centre and a Wellbeing...

Jan Miller has shared a blog she’s written on cyber bullying and the impact on young peoples’ wellbeing, a subject she’s passionate about. She says, “It’s important that we help our children and young people develop the skills they need to withstand bullying and...

It was a real honour for me to be asked to speak on behalf of Solent Mind at the recent launch of the Portsmouth Dementia Action Alliance - a cross community partnership working to make Portsmouth a dementia friendly city. During my first few weeks with Solent Mind I...

On 20th July 2017, Chester Bennington, Frontman of the band, Linkin Park, died after taking his own life. The singer had struggled with substance misuse and poor mental health for years, and had experienced abuse as a child. Despite this, Bennington’s death came as a...

I reached a milestone recently in my role here as Chief Executive of Solent Mind – the completion of my first 100 days. At points like this I think it’s good to take stock, consider what I have learned and what I have achieved. I thought I would share some of my...

Welcome to the first post on my new blog! Firstly, let me say how great it feels to have joined Solent Mind as the new Chief Executive. Since my appointment in November, I have been struck by the number of people who have told me of the contact they have had with our...

Someone asked me recently how mental health services had changed over the last 20 years, my tenure as CEO of Solent Mind. Though loathe to admit it, I go back even longer in mental health. 33 years ago I was working in supported housing. We were closing down the old...

Join us at the Portsmouth wellbeing Centre’s Swap Shop on Saturday 18th March from 10:30am to 3pm. Bring your unwanted clothes, shoes, accessories, books, CDs, DVDs, toiletries and small bric-a-brac items. Swap your unwanted items for wanted ones and help us raise...

We’re looking forward to the Conchord Singers Winter Concert on 11th February at 7:30pm, raising funds to support Mayfield Nurseries’ mental health services. Please support this event 🙂 Find out more here http://bit.ly/2k3Dsgu

Hi, I'd like to share my post update with you guys - maybe it can help others with hope for recovery xx So my first milestone has arrived ... 1 stone and 1/2 a pound since 4th January. To anyone living with a chronic illness, this is for you ... This is more than just...

World Mental Health Week has become a bit of a global phenomenon, celebrated in 150 countries from Australia to Zambia. So what is there to celebrate here in the UK? There are signs of hope: there’s a growing honesty about mental health services not reaching those who...

ABP Southampton 10k 24.04.16 - Our Blog We came, we saw, we conquered our fears! Back in the winter, the two of us agreed to challenge ourselves to do a fundraising run for Solent Mind. We chose the ABP Southampton 10K, sent off our entry forms, and pulled on our...

As I write this I’m thinking about those of us who, for whatever reason, struggle at this time of year. Whether it’s because of the coming of winter with its short days and cold, wet weather; or because our thoughts turn to people who we’ve loved and lost; or because...