MHFA Training UK, 19 Ackers Lane, Carrington (2026)

17/11/2025

💚 It’s Self-Care Week and it’s time to rethink “me time.”

Most of us were raised to believe that taking time for ourselves is selfish, that putting our needs first somehow takes something away from others.

But the truth is the complete opposite.

Self-care is one of the most benevolent things we can do.

When we take time to rest, recharge, and do the things that nourish us…

We show up in the world with more patience, more compassion, more clarity, and more strength.

💚 When we look after ourselves, the support we give others is better.

💚 When we protect our energy, we’re more present for the people who need us.

💚 When we take “me time,” we make space to be the best version of ourselves.

As Self-Care Week begins, here’s your reminder:

💚Your needs matter.

💚Your wellbeing matters.

💚And taking care of yourself is not selfish, it’s how you keep going. It’s how you stay able to help others.

Let’s make self-care part of everyday life, not a guilty afterthought.

20/08/2025

✨ Feedback from this week’s Mental Health First Aid course ✨

This week I had the privilege of delivering another MHFA England® accredited Mental Health First Aider course and the feedback from delegates has been truly humbling.

Here’s what they had to say:

💬 *“I just wanted to say a big thank you for delivering such a brilliant Mental Health First Aider course. I found it really informative and well presented, and I’ve taken a lot away from it that I know will be useful going forward.

I really appreciated the way you spoke openly about your own experiences with mental health — it made the course feel genuine, relatable, and all the more impactful.”*

💬 “Andy is a very good instructor with a wealth of knowledge and is passionate about his role as an instructor which made you feel confident when taking part in the open discussions and exercises, many thanks Andy 👍”

💬 “It was one of the best training courses I’ve been on, and I left feeling much more confident and better equipped. Andy is a credit to your team, and I’d happily recommend the course to anyone.”

💬 “The course was very good and I learned a lot. Andy was a great tutor and I would definitely recommend the course.”

It’s always a privilege to help people build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to support those around them with their mental health.

If you’d like to find out more about upcoming MHFA courses or how training can support your workplace, please feel free to connect or reach out.

19/08/2025

Despite late cancellations reducing our numbers from 7 to 4, this week’s MHFA Training UK 2-Day Mental Health First Aid course, accredited by MHFA England® and delivered at the Trafford Golf Centre in South Manchester, was as powerful as ever.

In fact, having a smaller group made the experience even more impactful, all 4 delegates threw themselves fully into the discussions and activities, creating a safe, open space for learning.

A big thank you to RelyOn UK and Lifted Entertainment for trusting us to train and support their incredible team members.

👉 If you’d like to train 1 or 2 members of your team, our next public access course runs on 29th & 30th September at Sale Golf Club, South Manchester.

👉 For 6 or more colleagues, we can deliver a dedicated course directly for your organisation.

15/08/2025

This morning, something happened that I can’t stop thinking about.

I was driving into Urmston for a haircut and, like so many mornings, ended up sitting in traffic. On the opposite side of the road, waiting at the lights, was an elderly man in his car.

He wasn’t just waiting. He was sobbing.

The kind of tears that come from somewhere deep. The kind that say something is hurting more than words can explain.

I reached for my window switch to get his attention and ask, “Are you OK?” but before I could, his light turned green and he drove away.

For the rest of today, the thought keeps coming back: “I hope he’s alright.”

We pass people every day without knowing their battles. Sometimes they’re strangers, sometimes they’re friends or colleagues. We don’t need to know their story to offer kindness, a simple “Are you OK?” might be the light they need at that moment.

So please, take notice of those around you. A small act of care can make a huge difference. You never know when you might be the one to change someone’s day… or even their life.

I have created a poem about it (I have used artist licence with the weather) so please take a look in the attached images.

RUOK? I’m happy to listen.

13/08/2025

🌟 Your Story Could Help Save a Life 🌟

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the privilege of hearing deeply personal and courageous stories from people who have either struggled with their own mental health or supported a loved one through their darkest days.

From those conversations, we’ve created 7 powerful poems, each one a testament to the resilience of the human spirit:

📖 A Quiet Revolution

📖 I Have a Mask

📖 The Bell Inside

📖 Breaking the Circle

📖 Edge of Silence

📖 Invisible No More

📖 More Than My Darkness

These poems and the moving illustrations that accompany them will form part of a published collection aimed at raising awareness, breaking stigma, and giving hope to others who are struggling.

It will also help to raise funds to help the charity PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Su***de carry out their vital work!

But to make this book truly powerful, we need more voices.

We’re looking for:

💬 People who have experienced their own mental health battles.

💬 People who have walked alongside a loved one through the dark times until they found the light again.

Your story can be anonymous if you wish.

Your words could be the lifeline someone else needs to hear.

📩 If you’d like to contribute, send me a message or email andy@mhfatraininguk.co.uk and let’s talk.

Together, we can create something extraordinary.

Together, we can show the world it’s okay to not be okay and that recovery is possible whoever you are. 💛

***dePrevention

12/08/2025

📢 Mental Health First Aid Made Accessible 💻

I know how busy life can get, which is why I’m now offering flexible evening MHFA England® accredited training delivered safely and securely on Zoom.

The training is delivered by me via MHFA Training UK and all courses are MHFA England® accredited.

✅ Course 1: Mondays – 1st, 8th, 15th & 22nd September (6:00–9:00pm)

✅ Course 2: Thursdays – 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th September (6:00–9:00pm)

Over 4 interactive evening sessions, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to:

💬 Spot the signs of poor mental health

🤝 Have supportive conversations

🛠 Signpost to professional help and resource

You’ll also receive:

🎓 Official MHFA England certificate

📱 Access to the MHFAider Support App®

🌐 Membership of the Association of Mental Health First Aiders

💙 My personal promise of ongoing support – long after the course ends

If you’ve ever wanted to make a real difference for friends, family, colleagues, or your community, this is your chance.

📩 To book your place, message me directly or email training@mhfatraininguk.co.uk.

Let’s train more people to be there when it matters most.

14/07/2025

🌿 We Need Your Story - Help Us Bring Light to Others 🌿

We are creating something very special - a poetry book that will explore the raw, human experience of mental health challenges and the incredible journey of recovery.

This book will feature beautifully written poems and imagery that reflect what it truly feels like to live with anxiety, depression, and psychosis-related illnesses - not just from those who have walked that path themselves, but also from the people who stood by their side and supported them through the darkness.

💬 Now we need your help.

If you have:

✔️ Lived through a period of mental ill-health and found your way toward healing,
✔️ Supported a loved one through a mental health crisis and seen them reach recovery,
✔️ Faced challenges like anxiety, depression, PTSD, or psychosis — and have a story of hope to share...

…I would be honoured to hear from you.

✨ You don’t need to write poetry - that’s our job!

Simply share your story in your own words, and with your permission, we will transform it into a beautiful, powerful poem that can inspire and comfort others.

Your story could help someone else feel less alone. It could inspire strength. It could literally save a life.

💚 50% of the proceeds from this book will be donated to PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Su***de, the charity dedicated to the prevention of young su***de.

📩 To share your story or find out more, please message me directly or email me at andy@mhfatraininguk.co.uk

Let’s remind the world:
Recovery is possible for everyone - with the right support.

02/06/2025

🧠 MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS.
75% of su***de deaths in the UK are male yet most Mental Health First Aiders are women.

That needs to change.

Join me for a men-only, MHFA England® accredited Mental Health First Aid course designed specifically for men who want to:

✔ Recognise the signs of mental ill health
✔ Support others with confidence and care
✔ Take better care of their own wellbeing
✔ Help break the stigma around men’s mental health

📍 Sale Golf Club, South Manchester
🗓️ Monday 21st & Tuesday 22nd July 2025
💷 £300 per person (includes refreshments & certification)

This is a safe, supportive space for men who want to make a difference — in business, in life, and in their community.

📩 Book via Eventbrite or contact training@mhfatraininguk.co.uk to reserve your place.

Let’s start the conversation. Let’s support each other.
MHFA for Men. Because talking saves lives.

***dePrevention

30/05/2025

🧠 Something that’s always puzzled me…

I’ve been delivering MHFA England® accredited Mental Health First Aid courses for over 10 years — and the vast majority of people who attend are women.

Why is that surprising?

Because 75% of all su***de deaths in the UK are men.

That’s a hard truth — and one we need to face head-on.

So, I’ve decided to launch a series of men-only Mental Health First Aid courses, starting in the Manchester area, with the aim of rolling them out across the UK.

These sessions will offer a safe, supportive space for men to:
✅ Learn how to spot when someone is struggling
✅ Gain the confidence to offer support
✅ Understand how to protect their own wellbeing
✅ Help break the stigma around men’s mental health

If you’re a man who’s interested in learning these skills — wherever you are in the UK — I’d love to hear from you.

Let’s start changing the conversation.
Let’s support each other better.

***dePrevention

21/05/2025

🧠 Another powerful week of learning, sharing, and connection

This week we delivered our latest MHFA Training UK public access 2-day Mental Health First Aid course, this time at the beautiful Sale Golf Club. in South Manchester.

While it was a small group of just four delegates, we’ve always believed that small groups often lead to the most meaningful experiences and this week proved it again.

With three organisations represented and one individual attending for personal development, each participant brought openness, insight, and a genuine willingness to share. It’s in these honest conversations built on real-life stories that this training truly comes to life.

Because mental health support isn’t just about theory.

It’s about understanding people, knowing what helps, and learning how to truly be there when someone is struggling.

🙏 A heartfelt thank you to:

➡️ The University of Salford

➡️ Chiptech UK

➡️ Redmore Environmental Ltd

➡️ Angeline Furnell

📅 Our next 2-day MHFA course takes place on 16th & 17th June at the Trafford Golf Centre.

If you would like to train as a Mental Health First Aider, either personally or for your organisation now’s the time to book.

Let’s build stronger, more compassionate communities one course at a time.

***dePrevention

MHFA Training UK

17/11/2025

20/08/2025

19/08/2025

15/08/2025

13/08/2025

12/08/2025

14/07/2025

02/06/2025

30/05/2025

21/05/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Practice

Shortcuts

Share

Category