Shift Together

Shift Together was established to directly address the unmet needs of people in the Rhondda Cynon Taf unitary authority area, just to the north-west of Cardiff.  It operates as a social enterprise, aiming to create a safer, more resilient and connected community.  The organisation primarily operates through weekly mental health support groups, but also offers one-to-one advocacy such as form-filling, advice and guidance, art and craft workshops, and operates as warm hub for beneficiaries.

The Allen Lane Foundation awarded a grant of £6,000 towards Shift Together in June 2025.  The funding is towards the continuation of vital mental health support groups that the organisation runs.  There are seven different weekly groups that take place online, and in accessible community venues across the Rhondda Valleys.  These are in the towns of Porth Groups and Ferndale, and small villages and hamlets Cwm-parc, Pentre, Tyla Garw and Penygraig.  Groups are two-three hours long and are facilitated by trained workers, some of whom have lived experience. Each group offers a safe and confidential space for individuals to share their experiences, connect with others facing similar challenges, and receive peer support. Groups offer a crucial lifeline, and for some people are the primary source of social connection and mental health support.

www.shifttogether.co.uk

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The Black Dog Music Project

This charity was set up to give focus and build confidence with people experiencing mental health problems/illnesses.  It offers one-to-one music lessons and music workshops with a primary aim to build social skills and bring positivity to people, giving them something to get up for and commit to.  The Project is based in Norwich, Norfolk, and operates two days a week, has a project on Saturdays for under 18s, plus monthly evening sessions and one-off performances.  Around 50 people overall benefit each year.

In October 2024, the Allen Lane Foundation agreed funding of £3,000 to contribute to the Project’s running costs. Benefits for participants of the work are that people will have improved confidence; feel part of a community and feel valued; and that they will have improved skills and reduced social isolation.

www.blackdogmusicproject.co.uk

 

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Connections Group Exeter

Connections Group is a user-led charity that provides social contact and support for people with significant mental health conditions.  It has 50-60 members, some living with diagnoses such as psychosis, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders and depression. Two-three referrals are usually received each month from mental health teams, GPs and social workers. The charity provides a monthly newsletter giving details of forthcoming events and activities that are organised and facilitated and provide a safe and friendly environment for members to meet and enjoy. These might be things like walks, lunches or trips, going ten pin bowling, or playing games for instance.

Connections Group applied for a contribution towards running costs, and in October 2024, the Allen Lane Foundation agreed a grant. The amount agreed was £2,500 per annum over a three-year period. Part of the request related to the charity’s plans to take on an additional part-time paid worker.  The intended outcomes of the grant are that members engaged in the activities will have reduced loneliness and isolation; they will have increased confidence and independence; as well as improved communication and social skills leading to improved health and a better quality of life.

www.connectionsgroupexeter.org

 

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Billy’s Lifeline

Billy’s Lifeline is a charity that provides support and counselling services to people affected by suicide loss.  It was set up after a family lost their son/brother, and found there was no professional guidance or emotional support offered to help them deal with issues that arose after his passing.  Billy’s Lifeline aims to fill that gap in support. It is based in South Shields, and works in partnership with mental health services such as Mind and NHS services to ensure a collaborative approach and that people can receive the best help possible.  The work helps bereaved families to navigate the complex grief associated with losing someone to suicide and helps practically as well as emotionally in the days/weeks/months ahead.

The Allen Lane Foundation awarded funding to Billy’s Lifeline at its June 2024 meeting of Trustees. The grant was for £6,600, and will contribute to the salary of the project coordinator. Intended outcomes of the charity’s work over the coming year include that: 80 people will be provided with access to immediate emotional and practical support; schools and health care professionals will benefit from increased awareness of mental health issues/suicide; and that locally there will be reduced stigma surrounding suicide and mental health issues.

www.billyslifeline.org

 

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Benefit Advice Shop

Benefit Advice Shop is a charity based in Rhyl that works in various towns and communities across North Wales.  It also takes telephone calls and emails for benefit advice and better off calculations from further afield.  The focus of its work is to provide free, independent and professional advice and information services.  It offers advice with benefit entitlement check and benefit claims, support with challenging negative decisions, and completion of lengthy benefit related forms.  It is also the main organisation that provides assistance with representation at appeal tribunal hearings. It takes referrals from other service provides such as the JobCentre as it is a specialist in this area.

Benefit Advice Shop received funding from the Allen Lane Foundation in June 2024. A grant of £5,000 was awarded to contribute towards the salary of a part-time specialist mental health welfare rights officer.  This worker will specialise in meeting the needs of clients who present to the charity with mental health problems and who need assistance with welfare benefit advice, claims and challenging decisions.  Having a dedicated staff member will benefit at least 200 of the most vulnerable people and ensure they get the help they need.  Outcomes for the work include that more people with mental health problems will be reached; they will have maximised income; and they will have better, more comfortable and stable lives.

www.benefitsadviceshop.co.uk

 

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We are Aware

We are Aware works across North Somerset from its base in Clevedon. It was set up to raise awareness and provide support around people’s mental health.  The work supports around 80 people overall, through various groups, one-off sessions, activities and trips. These include regular ‘walk & talks’ running in four different towns, ‘thinking out loud’ peer support and discussion groups, a twice-monthly book club, fortnightly yoga sessions and social cycling trips.

In February 2024, the Foundation has offered a grant that will contribute towards a new creative session that will be offered monthly.  The project will explore journalling, creative self-expression and language generally.  Individuals will be encouraged to use writing as a therapeutic tool to express emotions, experiences etc in a supported and safe environment.  Benefits and anticipated outcomes are likely to be that attendees will build confidence with writing and develop self-expression, and that the project will form a therapeutic addition to their recovery journey.

www.weareaware.info

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Men’s Advice Recovery Support BPD Group

This Group exists to support men with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD).  It works with men within Suffolk and Norfolk, though does help others from further afield who are in areas where no other suitable services are available.  The Group provides an opportunity for men with BPD or EUPD to come together in a safe, supporting and welcoming space, to find support and gain in confidence.  It runs weekly meetings, offers one-to-one support, and organises activities and outings to lessen isolation and stigma.

In February 2024, the Allen Lane Foundation offered funding of £2,000 towards the Group’s running costs.  This will contribute towards volunteer expenses, venue hire, groups activities and core costs.  Anticipated outcomes of the organisation’s work are that men will be supported to manage their symptoms and have a better quality of life, and that they will have reduced isolation.

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West Midlands OCD Support Group

This Group operates as a self-help support group for anyone with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and their carers. It is one of the largest and most long-standing independent groups in the country and has network links with major national charities such as OCD Action and OCD-UK.  The Support Group meets each month in Birmingham, though it caters for members from across a wide area, including Derby, Wolverhampton, Gloucester and Solihull. Meetings provide a friendly and welcoming safe space where members can speak openly about their OCD, and can both gain and give support with others in similar situations.  The Group is user-led and run entirely by volunteers.

In October 2023, Allen Lane has awarded a two-year grant of £1,000 per annum. This is towards the running costs of the Group including venue costs and insurance.  Overall the intended benefits for the members of the group include that they have a better understanding of the group and therefore feel more confident; that they are less isolated through meeting others with similar conditions; and that they have improved social lives and better support.

www.wmocd.org.uk

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Shine PND Support

This charity works to support women and their families who are affected by postnatal depression.  It offers services in three locations – in Cirencester, Swindon and Dursley – and aims to fill a gap in local provision, working closely with the NHS Perinatal Team.  Shine PND Support provides a wide range of services aimed at improving maternal wellbeing, including drop-in sessions, social and practical support, peer support and therapeutic support.  Overall around 200-250 women each year benefit from some form of support from the charity.

The Allen Lane Foundation made a grant in October 2023 of £3,966.  This funding will contribute towards the running of a 12-week Creative Therapy Course for women affected by postnatal depression.  The Course is designed to boost wellbeing and mental health, and for struggling new mums to meet others in the same situation, creating a community and support network that lasts beyond the end of the course. Sessions combine arts workshops with facilitated peer support.  Outcomes from the work for the women include increased wellbeing, reduced isolation, and increased confidence in parenting.

www.shine-support.org

 

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East Fife Mental Health Befriending Project

This Project was established to bridge the gap in services for people who are isolated as a result of their mental health issues.  It works across the rural areas of East Fife and Levenmouth, including many small towns and villages.  The Befriending Project works by recruiting and training volunteer befrienders and matching them with people with mental health issues who are referred to the service.  Volunteer befrienders will spend time with the people they are linked to, and support them in accessing activities or visiting places they would like to go to. There are also four main group social events each year run by the charity that enable everyone to get together and enjoy some social interactions.

At the February 2023 meeting of Trustees, the Allen Lane Foundation awarded a grant of £7,000, split over two years, towards the Project’s general running costs.  The intended outcomes over the period of the grant are that: beneficiaries will become less socially isolated as a result of being befriended; they will have increased confidence and self-esteem; and that they will be more involved in community and group events

www.linkbefriending.org.uk

 

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