Oakleaf Newsletter: Autumn/Winter 2022

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NEWS

Autumn/ Winter 2022

Here at Oakleaf, we are continuing to offer vital mental health and wellbeing support through work-related training, employment guidance, wellbeing activities, workshops, support groups, one-to-one emotional support and counselling services These are online and in person, so that every one of our clientshasaccessto the support they need We are proud to be supporting over 400 clients at any one time

We have expanded on our client activitiesand workshops, particularly those taking place in person These include our Big Breakfast club, our Wellbeing Cafe, our 12-week Kickstart Fitnessand Nutrition programme, Choir, Football, Wildlife group, Forest Bathing Walks, our Mental Health Support group and many more

Fundraising Events

Our ITQ and Cisco courseshave been instrumental in helping clientsmove forward into the world of work

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Testimonials

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Client Stories

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New services

Furthermore, our 'Pathwaysto Work' Employment Project(with the addition of an eventsschedule and two Employment Advisors) hasbeen incredibly successful, with 53 clientsreturned to part-time or full-time employment, 33 taking up volunteering roles, and 58 gaining a certificate or qualification in the first year

You can view our full client calendar of activitieson our website.

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Community Support

We are pleased to announce that the Young Adult Safe Haven will remain open into 2023 for 18-25 year oldsfacing mental health challengesand in need of emotional support Thisisin addition to the Guildford Safe Haven, which isopen 365 daysa year to anyone experiencing or close to a mental health crisis

We are also continuing to mark our 25th Anniversary asa charity To find out more, visit: www oakleaf-enterprise org or if you have any queriesor commentsabout our services, please do get in touch:

info@oakleaf-enterprise org

- Oakleaf News

WORLD MENTALHEALTH DAY 2022

This year?s theme for World Mental Health Day on Sunday 10th Oc tober 2022 was 'Make Mental Health and Wellbeing For All a Global Priority' set by the World Federation of Mental Health (WFMH) The day providesan opportunity to increase conversationssurrounding mental health; how to look after ourselvesand others, how to spot the signsand symptomsand most importantly how to be more inclusive and reduce stigma within our community

According to Dr Nasser Loza, President, WFMH,?In high income countriesover 75%of people with depression have reported that they do not receive adequate care and in low and middle-income countriesover 75%of people with mental health conditionshave received no treatment at all.?

At Oakleaf, we feel it isincredibly important to relay the message that no matter what, support isavailable, whether that be through Oakleaf, your GP, friendsand family, crisislinesor emergency support serviceslike the Guildford Safe Haven. However, as individualsand a society asa whole, we can alwaysbe doing more to raise awarenessand help prevent mental ill-health in our communities.

Moreover, we want to recognise, celebrate and share the storiesof four wonderful individualswho have gone above and beyond to support the Oakleaf community

Aspart of the Oakleaf Community Awards2022, our award winners: Jon, Jacki, Marina and Jacqui are clientswho have been nominated by clientsand staff membersfor their outstanding contibution towardsachieving Oakleaf's objective of improving the livesof people managing mental ill-health in Surrey

OPPORTUNITIES ATOAKLEAF

Congratulationsto our award winnersand thank you so much to our award sponsors: Kelly?s Storage, The White Family, Trafalgar Marqueesand Occupational Health Assessment Ltd.

WORKING FOR OAKLEAF

Oakleaf isalwayslooking for individualsto join the team! We often have exciting new job opportunitiesranging from: assisting with client support, running wellbeing activitiesand support groups, to taking on volunteer roles

For more information about the jobswe have on offer and details on how to apply, visit our website or get in touch with our Head of Client Services, Annalise: annalisebaker@oakleaf-enterprise org

CLIENTBBQ CELEBRATION & COMMUNITY AWARDS

We were delighted to host our 25th Anniversary Client BBQ at the Guildford Pavilion on Thursday 2nd September!

Exactly 25 yearsago to the day of the BBQ, Oakleaf became a registered charity.

We would like to say a big thank you to The National Lottery Community Fund for funding the event. Also, thank you so much to all the clientswho came out for it, and to all of our volunteerswho helped make the event a success, including a team from Zurich

OAKLEAF'S25TH ANNIVERSARY GALA - A ROUSING SUCCESS

On behalf of everyone at Oakleaf, our staff and our clients, we would like to say a heartfelt and enormous thank you to all those who attended our 25th Anniversary Gala on 6th October to celebrate 25 years awarenessfor our mental health support going forward.

of our charity, whilst raising fundsand

We are absolutely thrilled to share that we raised more than £55,000 after costs- an incredible amount that will go towardsour vital mental health and wellbeing support acrossSurrey

The gala featured a sparkling reception, a delicious three-course dinner and live entertainment from award-winning stand-up comedian, Dave Chawner

Thank you so much to all who supported the evening and donated generously on the night We are so incredibly grateful to each and every one of our supporters- without you, none of our mental health, wellbeing or employment support would be possible

Another big thank you to our headline sponsor, Something Big for enabling usto carry out our biggest event to date and to all our wonderful volunteersfor helping to make the night a success.

VOLUNTEERSTORIES

At Oakleaf, it ismore important than ever to recognise and celebrate those who volunteer for Oakleaf, past and present. We are pleased to share storiesfrom two of our volunteers, Colin and Jon, whose support really doesmake all the difference.

COLIN: "I have been volunteering within the IT Department for about three yearsnow. I also help to run the Coffee Shop, serving up drinksand snacks.

Volunteering at Oakleaf is great asthere isnone of the pressure you might get in a working environment and it givesme a sense of accomplishment aswell asa confidence boost The experience isreally valuable, particularly if you have been out of work a long time "

Our Mental Health LeadersNetwork aimsto bring together a wide variety of Surrey businessescommitted to addressing workplace mental wellbeing It providesevents, training and support around workplace mental health for local businesses and their staff - all whilst helping make a difference for local people managing mental ill-health

CHLOENORRIS COLIN

JON: "I started on the reception desk just under two yearsago and really enjoy thisrole; no one day is ever the same. I help by welcoming clientsand visitors, accepting deliveries and answering the phone.

Being the person that people come into contact with when they enter the building wasquite daunting at first however I?ve received so much positive feedback from clients, staff membersand visitorsasto how friendly, hard-working and welcoming I am, which hasreally helped to rebuild my confidence and self-worth I feel happier and healthier and now have the necessary skillsto help me back into full-time employment ? I?m in the early stagesof establishing my own businessand I?m very excited to see what the future brings. Overall, volunteering hashelped me immeasurably and hasgiven me an opportunity to give back to a wonderful charity that hasdone so much to help me; for that, I will be eternally grateful.?

To read the full Volunteers blog, please visit: www oakleaf-enterprise org/ volunteers-week-2022/

To learn more, or if your businessis interested in joining, email: jenclay@oakleaf-enterprise org Membership feeshelp fund Oakleaf's charitable activities

'OAKLEAF ATWORK' PODCAST

Our podcast 'Oakleaf At Work' is hosted by Oakleaf'sHead of Partnershipsand Engagement, Jen Clay, who speakswith guests from our Mental Health Leaders Network aswell asexpertsin the field to discussa wide range of topicswithin workplace mental health and wellbeing

In our most recent episode, we hear from Geoff McDonald on talking about your mental health at work

MENTAL HEALTH LEADERS NETWORK

CLIENTSATISFACTION SURVEY

We conducted our bi-annual Client Satisfaction Survey in July 2022, seeking feedback from our clients It wasgreat to see the positive impact Oakleaf hashad "Oakleaf hashelped me to realise I am worth something and that I can contribute to society. The training providesme with the knowledge and skillsto move up and succeed. All thanksto the understanding, patience and kindnessfrom staff."

"The last two yearsat Oakleaf have really improved my mental and physical health, providing the opportunity to feel productive every week and also helping me to establish a consistent routine I love how flexible and understanding staff are in regard to each individual'smental and physical health and their specific needs"

Agree Disagree Strongly Agree

'Oakleaf has helped me feel less isolated'

'Oakleaf has helped me improve my mental wellbeing'

'PATHWAYSTO WORK' EMPLOYMENTPROJECT

Our three year 'Pathwaysto Work' employment project, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, began in May 2021 and focuseson training and mentoring clientsto move forward into the workplace with the help of our two Oakleaf Employment Advisors, Mike and Helen

We have also hosted several eventsso far, including guidance from the National CareersService, a LinkedIn & Business Workshop and BenefitsAdvice.

We are pleased to share that in the first twelve monthsof the programme, 58 clientsreceived a certificate or qualification, while 53 clientsgained part-time or full-time employment and 33 clientsmoved on to volunteering roles!

For more details, visit our website or contact: mikeover@oakleaf-enterprise org | helenlunn@oakleaf-enterprise org

41.3% 1 7% 56 9%

56.1% 42 1% 1 7% 'Oakleaf has helped me to feel more c onfident' 57 1% 42 8%

52% 48% 48% 50% 2% 42% 26% 6%

THENEXT25 YEARS

Asthe need for Oakleaf?s servicesgrows, we must ensure that we have the funds available to continue to deliver life changing services- for the next 25 yearsand beyond

Following on from Covid-19, we believe that mental health is never again going to be seen asunimportant ? it isfinally being recognised asa key part of life We want to be able to support the wellbeing of everyone who turnsto usfor help

HasOakleaf touched the life of you, your family and friends?

If so, one of the most profound waysin which you can help Oakleaf (after having provided for your loved ones) isby leaving a gift to Oakleaf in your will.

Giftsto charity are free from inheritance tax ? and if you leave more than 10%of your entire estate to charity the amount of inheritance tax you pay reducesfrom 40%to 36%.

If you are considering making a will, or amending an existing one, please do mention Oakleaf to your solicitor Whilst we cannot provide any legal advice ourselves, if you have any questionsabout this, please do contact Moyra Matravers:

moyramatravers@oakleaf-enterprise org who would be happy to speak with you.

WESTSURREY GOLF PRO AM EVENT

We would like to say a big thank you to West Surrey Golf Club for hosting their 45th annual Pro Am event in aid of Oakleaf, and particular thanksgo to Men'sCaptain Graham White and all the club membersfor having us.

VIRTUALLONDON MARATHON

A huge congratulationsto our three fabulousrunners: Jordan, Joe and Tasha who took part in the Virtual TSC London Marathon and ran 26.2 mileson Sunday 2nd October in aid of Oakleaf, managing to raise over £4,000!

MENTAL HEALTH FIRSTAID TRAINING

We are pleased to be continuing to host both our Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid coursesin Guildford. To find out more about the training or if you would like to book your place on an upcoming course, please visit our website or email: jenclay@oakleaf-enterprise.org.

SUPPORTMENTAL HEALTH THIS CHRISTMAS

Give Kindness this Christmas at Oakleaf

We are on a mission to ensure no one feelsalone thiswinter, and you can help. Every donation you make will add a decoration to our virtual Christmastree. Whether you add a light, bauble, present or the top star, you will be helping someone get the support they need thiswinter:

£15 could fund a supportive check-in call or meeting

£20 could fund two weeksof art suppliesfor our art classes

£30 could fund one counselling session

£75 could fund two weeksof fitnessclassesfor Oakleaf clients

£100 could fund two weeksof one of our support groupssuch as: Women'sGroup, Youth Group, Ethnic Minority Group or LGBTQ+ Group.

To make a donation, please visit: www oakleaf-enterprise org/christmas

We are extremely excited to have launched Oakleaf At Home'snew and exclusive range of Christmasdog bandanas- available to shop at: www oakleafathome com

With three festive designs to choose from, our bandanasare carefully hand-sewn in our workshop and feature original illustrationsfrom clients All designscome in either small or large to suit your dog

You can also buy our Christmascards- £5 for a pack of ten, with two designsin each pack All of our cards, envelopesand cartonsare FSC Accredited.

To find out more or to shop, visit: www.oakleafathome.c om

If you like what you see, please follow uson Instagram @OakleafAtHome to watch our story unfold.

SNOWMEN BRUSSEL SPROUTS RUDOPLH

We are thankful for all our supporters and will c ontinue to do all we c an to look after the mental health and wellbeing of the Oakleaf c ommunity.

If you are able to make a donation to Oakleaf and help fund vital mental health, employment and wellbeing support, we would be most grateful. If you are interested in supporting Oakleaf in any way, please get in touch by emailing: jenc lay@oakleaf-enterprise.org or phoning: 01483 303 649