Championing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Across Derbyshire and Derby City

 

Our free Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Outreach project aims to build stronger, more supportive communities by raising awareness, increasing understanding, and empowering local groups to take action.

If you’re part of a small business, community organisation, charity, sports club or local group, we can support you to create a mentally healthy environment for everyone.

 

Here’s how we can help:

 

🌱 Signposting to fully funded training opportunities – Gain the knowledge and confidence to support yourself and others through a variety of mental health and suicide awareness courses.

🛠️ Support to develop action plans and policies – Embed mental health support into the heart of your organisation.

🤝 Join our Mental Health First Aider network – Connect, share good practice, and access peer support and signposting resources.

🧠 Engaging workshops/sessions – Ideal for team meetings, group sessions, and youth engagement to spark open conversations around mental health.

📚 Access to resources and signposting information – Stay informed with practical tools and up-to-date information.

 

Newsletter: 

In the latest edition, you’ll find:

🌟 A 2025 year in review, highlighting key achievements, partnerships, and shared learning

🤝 Updates from community outreach, events, and training delivered across the county

🛋️ Reflections from our Listening Lounges, and an announcement about the online MHFA Listening Lounges returning in 2026

🏋️‍♀️ Examples of inspiring partnership work with local organisations, leisure centres, and healthcare teams

❄️ Useful winter wellbeing resources, upcoming awareness days, and support signposting

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Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Newsletter December 2025

Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Newsletter November 2025

Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Newsletter October 2025

Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Newsletter September 2025

Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Newsletter August 2025

Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Newsletter July 2025

 

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​To join the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Outreach Project please fill in your organisations details below:

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Derbyshire Mental Health First Aiders Network

 

The Derbyshire Mental Health First Aiders Network is a peer group for anyone who has

completed (MHFA England) Mental Health First Aider training either Adult or Youth and

is using their skills within Derbyshire either via work, or volunteering.​ The network is a

part of the Derbyshire Mental Health & Suicide Prevention project commissioned by

Derbyshire County Council.​

 

This network is not a membership body and is not affiliated to MHFA England, it is a

countywide space to share events, networking opportunities, resources, research,

success stories, and also to reach out for advice and support from your peers.​

 

Listening Lounges are drop-in peer support sessions for Mental Health First Aiders, who are using their skills, either in paid or voluntary roles, within Derbyshire. The format is very simple, we host these sessions, which any MHFA’s (or anyone interesting in becoming an MHFA) can pop into – no need to book, and talk to the team about their experiences, resources, thoughts, or just to chat and maybe meet other local MHFAs. We have free resource packs available and a cuppa!

 

How to join the MHFA Network:​

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• Email mhfa@erewashcvs.org.uk with your contact details and a copy of your MHFA certificate.​

• If you need a copy of your certificate contact: https://mhfaengland.org/

 

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Here are some testimonials:

 

“Volunteering with the Erewash Voluntary Action Mental Health Team’s Listening Lounge

has been a deeply enriching experience. It’s been a privilege to be part of such an

amazing ‘work family’, holding compassionate space for others during emotionally

vulnerable times. In my role as a Personal Development Life Coach, I naturally bring my

coaching presence…curious listening, empathy, and intuition…into each conversation,

helping individuals feel heard, valued, and supported. Alongside this, I co-lead Sofa2Stroll,

a gentle, welcoming walking group that promotes wellbeing and connection in nature

for people living with chronic health conditions. Both voluntary roles beautifully reflect the

heart of my coaching philosophy: creating safe, empowering environments where people

can pause, reconnect with themselves, and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

Volunteering has allowed me to witness powerful shifts in others…often subtle but

deeply meaningful. That’s where the real impact lies”.

 

Nikki Hall

 

Long Eaton Rugby Football Club has been engaged with the

Derbyshire Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Project through communication

and resource sharing, this is what they had to say:

 

“The club have used the information and resources shared through newsletters

to benefit the wider LERFC community, containing players, parents, coaches,

and volunteers. The main outcome of the club’s engagement has been the

ability to keep it informed about mental health support, initiatives, and developments.

This has helped ensure that LERFC remains connected to broader community

wellbeing conversations and activities. LERFC reports feeling more informed and

up to date thanks to the project’s resources”.

 

JC - Volunteer at Long Eaton Rugby Club

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We’ve been working in partnership with a range of local fitness centres and organisations, and Amber Valley Fitness Centres offered this reflection:

 

“My name is Rebecca (Refit), together with my boss Neil, and we are the leaders

of Amber Valley Fitness Centre. We are proud to have been working closely with

Isabelle on the Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Project, delivered through

Erewash Voluntary Action and funded by Derbyshire County Council.

 

Our mission is to highlight the importance of mental health and to remind people that you are not alone. Our gym is not just a place to exercise. It is a space for support, connection, and community. A place where you can come as you are, without judgement.

 

Right now, statistics show that mental health challenges are increasing among young people and adults. We see this every day in our community. This is why we are so passionate about creating awareness, starting conversations, and supporting each other through the tough times as well as the good ones.

 

We believe:

• No one should feel like they have to struggle alone

• Talking and reaching out is a sign of strength

• Looking after your body can help look after your mind

• Community itself can be healing

 

As a project, we have already achieved so much to help people feel seen, supported and understood. And we are continuing to build on this work daily within our gym and wider community.”​

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