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Our Projects
Warm Nights / Safe Spaces
Every Monday & Wednesday from 4-7 pm, as part of their Food Poverty Grant funding, Pembrokeshire County council has awarded us a pot of funds to provide more Free food & drinks in our Community Coffee House. This is in addition to PAVS Pembrokeshire’s Warm Nights initiative.
These funds allow us to provide warm safe spaces for people whilst providing a FREE Hot Meal & a Hot Drink.
Not only that -we do games & craft nights too!
There is NO referral needed and absolutely EVERYONE is welcome.
There will be no questions asked and nobody refused a meal to either sit in or take away to eat at home. It's about whatever you feel comfortable doing. If you do stay for a chat, whilst at the Community Coffee House you can play some games, read a book, do a crossword or some colouring, or even charge your phone - it's entirely up to you.
These warm space nights are a great chance for you to meet new people in a safe & friendly environment, or to just sit & relax in the warm.
Step into January 2023
It’s back!
For the 3rd consecutive year, the Megan’s Starr Foundation brings you 'Step into January, continuing to break the stigma & give mental health a good old kick.
So let’s start the conversation & keep Pembrokeshire walking & get Pembrokeshire talking
The 10,000 steps a day challenge will get you out and about, meeting new people, taking part in challenges, tasks, and group walks & not forgetting the infamous fancy dress & walk like a boss! There will also be weekly meets, bingo, quiz nights and so much more!
All you have to do is sign up, and receive your mental health & well-being pack. Kids, dogs & absolutely everybody is welcome to sign up & join in!
So what are you waiting for ~ Step Into January with Megans Starr this Janaury.
Sign up via our JustGiving Page;
What we achieved in January 2023
Wow! We are so proud of all of our amazing volunteers for all of their hard work throughout January!
It’s a particularly difficult month for many of us, but that hadn’t stopped us from putting 110% into ensuring that our beneficiaries get the most out of our service.
Megan Starr Foundation was founded in Megan’s name to support those in our community who need us & I think you will agree, Meg would be so proud of how we are continuing her legacy of kindness
#communitysupport #kindnessmatters #community #bekind #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawareness #warmspaces #volunterring #megslegacy
Be Kind Brew Buddies
I am sure you will agree that a chat over a brew is one of life’s greatest simple pleasures, but not everyone always has someone to do this with regularly. Our telephone support programme Be Kind Brew Buddies aims to help people across Pembrokeshire. Support is available if you are a parent or young person who needs someone to chat to in confidence, after having reduced opportunities to make social connections, due to the recent coronavirus outbreak or other circumstances in your life.
How do Be Kind Brew Buddies work?
Those who sign up for the service will be allocated a buddy, who will then "get-together” over the phone, WhatApps or text for a brew, and a chat at least once a week for around 30 minutes.
Absolutely no pressure to talk about any problems, simply a listening ear, and friendly voice. After 8 sessions you will be invited to give us valuable feedback on how the programme has helped you and made a difference in your life.
If more sessions are needed, then that is perfectly fine – we all love an extra brew!!!
To sign up please use the contact page quoting Brew Buddies.
All information is kept strictly confidential between you and your buddy.
SUPPORT
Young people are facing many issues that are new to them, including eating problems, anxiety, anger, body image, and loneliness. We can offer peer support to help cope with these feelings, and/or where to turn to for help.
Through our tireless self-funding initiatives, we have been able to offer FREE BCAP professional counselling sessions for vulnerable young people around Pembrokeshire.
Currently, our NHS is overwhelmed, and wait times can range from 12 months to 2 years or more before you can access support. Our professional counselling currently runs on support being offered within 7-10 days, so we are here to bridge that gap, to ensure that you can access the help when you need it most.
We can also provide bereavement support via a trained CRUSE advisor, as well as advise on issues regarding Special Educational Needs.
If you are looking for some advice on Bullying, we are proudly an associated member of the Anti-Bullying Alliance and can provide training sessions to schools, youth groups, societies, or simply advice for parents and young people.
We have youth peer support groups whereby through anti-bullying initiatives we aim to: -
Promote a shared conversation and response to bullying in which everyone works together responsibly and collaboratively to create safe environments for students.
· Inspire communities to get involved with social change in promoting kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.
· Provide informative guides for parents to understand the dynamics of bullying, help their children through bullying situations, and learn how to communicate with school staff.
· Educate students with age-appropriate resources and information to manage bullying situations, be supportive of their peers, and take action to prevent bullying in their school, community, and online.
We want to promote a shared conversation and response to bullying in which everyone works together to create safe environments for young people.
By creating a kinder, more accepting, and more inclusive community, fewer young people will experience bullying, become less isolated, be willing to speak out and ask for help.
No one ever has to feel alone.
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How we can Help!
Since the pandemic our work has diversified and is ever changing.
The one thing that has not, or ever will change is the fact that we are here to help.
Nobody has to suffer in silence, we are at the end of a message, text, phone or email.
Please just reach out - it's great to talk!
Family, Parent & Care giver peer support.
It’s difficult being a parent/care giver. That’s why we are offer parent peer support ~ to give hope, guidance, advocacy & camaraderie to each other.
Parent peer support can help parents identify and access appropriate services for their children and help navigate systems more effectively, learn from the experiences of other families, feel less alone & gain hope, ideas & information.
This support can help parents meet their children’s needs more efficiently and with greater confidence & hope.
Please contact us to find out more information.
Speakeasy Coffee Van
Since Megan's Starr Foundation was founded, we have been constantly looking at new ways in which to support the young people in Pembrokeshire. There is no one size fits all with mental health & as such the way in which young people seek help is diverse.
For the last 12 months, we have been working on this amazing project which has been funded by The National Lottery Community Fund Wales, whereby we can take our support mobile, into rural areas where young people would not otherwise be able to access our services.
With our fully wrapped Electric Speakeasy Coffee & Shake Van, we can offer young people barista training, teach them about green energy & the environment, as well as offering mobile support for those who need help or advice, all fully funded. We can take the Speakeasy to schools, colleges, sporting & community groups to offer youth engagement, and also to fetes & events whereby young people can gain experience in serving the public. All in all, it will be a huge asset to the community & an opportunity to offer help-seeking in a new & diverse way.
Megan’s Starr is passionate about breaking the barriers & reducing stigma in seeking help #bekind #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawareness #spreadkindness
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T.O.Y ~ Together Old & Young
We are Super Excited to announce the launching of our new project on 1st June, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
T.O.Y ~ Together Old & Young is an intergenerational project that aims to bring together the young & old generations in different activities, to promote intergenerational learning, and create new possibilities for older adults and young people to learn together and benefit from each others’ company. This includes mutual understanding, improved feelings of wellbeing, decreased loneliness and satisfaction from sharing knowledge, experience & enhanced social cohesion.
To find out more, please contact us!
Meeting Tik Tok Content Creators Caitlyn & Leah
Last month, on behalf of the Megan’s Starr Foundation, Nicola had the immense pleasure of meeting a beautiful couple ~ Content Creators Caitlyn & Leah.
Caitlin and Leah are leading advocates for LGBTQ+ and mental health, and have a ‘huge’ following on all social media platforms. The conversations they share online are raw and important, particularly surrounding their mental health journeys, yet their infectious personalities have helped build an audience of loyal followers who find entertainment and comfort in their content.
We met to talk about Megs story, our journey as a charity & the devastating impact of online Hate. The girls talked candidly about their own experiences of online hate & how as young women it makes them feel to see & receive such judgemental & spiteful comments.
In association with the Global Youth Charity Ditch The Label, the content will be included in a YouTube documentary that I’m sure will help so many young people who are struggling with their Mental Health.
Opening up and normalising mental health in all communities is so important. On the outside to others you can seem to have it all, but very few people stop & think about how that person is actually feeling inside.
Thank you both for being true Influencers & helping to spread the word that it is ok not to be ok, and that being kind is always the best way. Good luck also on your IVF journey. Breaking the stigma & barriers for young people everywhere.
West Wales Health & Care Awards
The West Wales Health & Care awards celebrate organisations and charities in West Wales that make invaluable contributions to the Community.
Last Year we were humbled to win in the Child & Adolescent section. This year we were blown away to win in 3 categories!
Megan's Starr Foundation - Health Charity of the Year
Nicola Harteveld - Community-Based Individual of the Year
Megan's Starr Foundation - Outstanding Achievement Award
T.O.Y ~ Together Old & Young Memory Cushions & Recycled Denim Cushions
As part of our Intergenerational project, we are making memory & denim cushions. These will be made free of charge for anyone who would like one made for themselves or given to someone they care about.
“Memory Cushion are made from garments worn by a loved one and is a lovely way to feel close to someone we miss by using the sense of touch. The cushions make such a powerful and moving impact and can also be used for people living with dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or other debilitating illnesses. The collage of different garments can help with memory recall, and comfort loved ones in times of need”.
If you would like to be part of this wonderful project or would like a memory cushion made, please could you pop along to the website and email us via the Contact Us link. Please state whether you wish to become involved with the project or would like to have a cushion made.
More details will then be provided.
#nationallotterycommunityfund #intergenerational #memory #grief #comfort #cushion