'1 in 4 people in the UK will experience mental illness every year'

I've challenged myself with completing 40 unique and exhilarating activities before my 40th birthday in November.  I will be tackling a range of things from zooming down the fastest zipwire in the world, taking a trapeze class and trying yoga paddle boarding through to learning to play poker and reading 5 life changing books. I have created this list to help with my own mental health journey and it is something I'd like to use to help others by raising money for York Women's Counselling Service because everyone is worthy of help. 

My intention is to have fun, re-focus my efforts on being present and grateful and looking ahead to the future and hopefully bring a few people along for the ride! 😜

York Women's Counselling Service is an amazing charity run by women, for women. It provides one to one counselling to women who are experiencing emotional and mental health difficulties as a result of current or past emotional stress or trauma regardless of their financial circumstances.

I was fortunate enough to have used this charity during difficulties I faced in 2021. My therapist helped to bring awareness to my situation, become open to acceptance and provided encouragement and understanding. YWCS provided me with a safe space to open up, fall apart and equipped me with tips, tools and techniques to rebuild myself. 

Seeking help felt embarrassing and difficult for me, but after accessing the right kind of help it was a positive step in a new direction and instead of looking to be 'cured' I have become more content with being able to manage the situation and I continue to learn to work on my wellbeing and become more aware of my anxiety triggers. 

Action:

It would mean the world to me if you could support in any way you can, by joining in with a challenge or two, signposting or helping others in need, sharing your story, cheering along or donating. 

YWCS relies 100% on donations and fundraising. All the therapists and counsellors are volunteers and give their time and expertise to transform the lives of other women. 

How your support helps York Women's Counselling Service:
• £100 will provide 8 weeks of support to a woman who needs our help

• £240 supports a volunteer counsellor for a year, with each counselling an average of 5 women annually

• £500 will provide over 40 hours of professional counselling to a woman in distress

• £1000 will secure a confidential counselling room for 4 months, enabling our counsellors to hold up to 640 counselling sessions

All of this fundraising goes directly to this wonderful charity.

Thank you for reading my story

Kelly
x

Follow my journey on instagram: kellys40to40 and find out what's on my list and have a laugh at some of the pictures of the completed adventures so far.