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Gareth @Saltbox

Yours Faithfully – Mental Health Awareness Week

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Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, this year Mental Health Awareness Week takes place between 14 – 20 May. Research has shown that two-thirds of us experience a mental health problem in our lifetimes. Saltbox’s Church Liason Officer, Tim Lucas, shares his thoughts on mental wellbeing and what more we can do to support those in times of need. 

Last week, the popular TV soap Coronation Street followed the storyline of three characters: each of whom struggled with a form of mental illness, and one of whom committed suicide.

A few weeks earlier, at the end of March, ITV placed 84 statues at the top of its building in London to highlight the harrowing truth that an average of 84 men a week commit suicide, making it the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45, an average of one suicide every two hours. Male suicide makes up 75% of suicides for this age bracket, meaning that an additional 28 women per week commit suicide.

At some point in their lives, 1/3 of all people will struggle with some form of mental health issue, the intensity and outcomes of which will vary for each person.

These are important statistics to mention, especially since this week is Mental Health Awareness Week. Throughout 14-20 May, we are being encouraged to make ourselves aware of mental illnesses, and the effects that they have on so many people throughout the world. It is imperative that we do not overlook this.

In my experience, we as Christians have not always been very good at talking about mental health. Many times, we find it far easier to debate the theology of a condition, thinking that if we can ‘just find out’ the source or purpose of it then all will be well. Or alternatively, we look at the statistics and think that somehow that will be enough.

Both fall short of recognising that behind the illness, behind the statistics, are people. Yes, knowledge and understanding of poor mental health is necessary, but it should not stand alone; it must be teamed with a care and concern for each individual affected by those mental health conditions.

During Mental Health Awareness Week, I encourage you to find out more about mental illnesses and some of the things you can be aware of when it comes to helping those who struggle with poor mental health. Read statistics and stories (there is an abundance of both online), and make yourself available to people, especially those who have nobody else.

That may mean being an ear to talk to, a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold, or a friend to sit in silence with. The simplest of acts can make all the difference to someone.

If you are struggling with how you feel, please talk to someone. There is a great deal of help available, whether that be CALM, Samaritans, Mind, or a GP; or perhaps a good starting point for you is simply to talk to a friend or family member. Nobody will think any less of you for it, and you will have taken a huge step towards help and recovery.

The world is better for having you in it.

You are not alone.

Tim Lucas (Saltbox Church Liason Officer)

Dealing with Bereavement – An interview with Rob Kellett

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The loss of a loved one can often feel unbearable, leaving behind a huge hole in our lives.  For the past seven years, Swan Bank Church in Burslem has hosted a special Bereavement course, tailored to support individuals through times of mourning. Last week, Saltbox sat down with Rob Kellett, Swan Bank’s Pastoral Co-ordinator, to learn more about his role in the church and how their bereavement course is supporting those affected by loss.

Thanks for inviting us down to Swan Bank, Rob. First up, would you like to tell us a little about yourself?

Sure. My name is Rob Kellett and I’m 47 years old. I was originally born in Yorkshire but never lived there. Instead, I was bought up locally in Alsager before moving to Harriseahead. I’ve been married for the past fourteen years and we have a twelve-year-old son. I’ve worshipped at Swan Bank for nearly twenty years and have worked here for the past seven years.

What does your day-to-day role involve?

I’m the Pastoral Co-ordinator at Swan Bank. I love doing what I do. My focus is mainly on people. We have a large congregation here. In my role, along with a few other volunteers, we go out and visit people in their own homes, or in the hospital when they aren’t very well, providing comfort and support.

Before joining Swan Bank I used to work for John Johnson Funeral Directors in Tunstall. From a Christian context, there are elements from my old job which I’ve been able into adapt to Swan Bank’s bereavement course. Saying that, the course is just as applicable to those from a non-faith background.

How did the Bereavement course come about?

About seven or eight years ago I was shopping at Tesco in Kidsgrove and saw an A4 leaflet on their notice board. It was advertising a bereavement course that was taking place at St Martin’s, Talke. I went home wondering if it was something we could adapt for Swan Bank. My wife then mentioned a lady from our congregation, Margaret, who’d recently lost her husband. In the end we all went along to St Martin’s. Margaret was able to benefit from their support while I was able to learn more about how the course operated.

The people running the course were lovely and it was certainly something we could replicate in a Swan Bank context. We’ve been doing it ever since and this is now our seventh year.

What does the Swan Bank course involve?

It’s very much a group session. Everyone who attends has had a significant bereavement. Generally, we have two speakers who faithfully run through the presentation material. The course is done over six weeks. We use a venue upstairs in Swan Bank. It’s a fantastic, comfortable, modern space to work in.

The first week of the course is a little shorter and acts as a taster session where people can see what the next five weeks are going to involve. There’s no obligation to do the next five weeks, although of course we’d like everyone to stay for the duration. There’s also group work and activities involved where people can share experiences. It’s fair to say that the course isn’t all serious, there are some laughs within it – we do want to lighten the mood where we can. Rapport and friendships soon develop. The great thing is people are all in the same boat and there’s a commonality in that.

Who is the course suitable for?

I’d say all who have suffered a bereavement and feel they’d like some support to get through it. Death is a common experience for everybody. When you lose someone special it often leaves a large and untimely gap, so you want to help at a very vulnerable time in people’s lives. We support people from both faith and non-faith backgrounds.

Thanks for your time Rob. Do you have any final words on how people can get in touch?

I think it’s a wonderful course with a proven track record of helping people who are really struggling with elements of bereavement. About 50 people have been through the course since it first started. If you’d like to find out more then please contact me, Rob Kellett, either through the church office on 01782 575129, or send me an email at rob.kellet@talktalk.net.

Welcome to our new site!

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Welcome to our new look Mission website – Saltbox’s Christian outreach and support service for Church and Community Groups. Mission is dedicated to encouraging greater unity amongst Christians and local churches, in addition to focusing on the practical benefits that faith groups provide within local communities.

On our new website, you’ll be able to read about the History of Mission, which can be traced back to the beginnings of Saltbox in 1983. We also include a timeline, spanning from 1987 to present day, documenting many of Saltbox’s spiritual outreach landmarks.

You’ll also be able to meet the Team behind the service. Here you’ll find detailed role and bio information on Saltbox CEO Lloyd Cooke, and our Church Liaison Officer, Tim Lucas.

The reach of Mission is extensive. Our new Landscape section provides some of the numbers behind approximately 500 groups of various faiths that meet regularly for worship and prayer.

We’ve also added dedicated pages around Faith and Action. Here we look at the statistics behind our Faith Action Audits. You’ll be able to see our first audit from 2006 as well as our most recent 2017 report. Away from the numbers, you can also keep up to date with the latest on our annual Civic Prayer Breakfast – our next event scheduled for Friday 20 April at Kings Hall, Stoke.

Elsewhere we’ve also built a searchable Directory of local faiths and churches found within our local area. Here you can view their locations by map and even filter out by denomination.

There’s plenty more to explore on our new Mission website so feel free to take a look around. If you have any questions or feedback then please don’t hesitate to get in touch via our Contact Us page.