The Community Umbrella Project

11/02/2024

A beautiful reminder from poet Pádraig Ó Tuama

📷 Option B

25/12/2023

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=767107182124924&id=100064769466195&post_id=100064769466195_767107182124924

It occurred to Pooh and Piglet that they hadn't heard from Eeyore for several days, so they put on their hats and coats and trotted across the Hundred Acre Wood to Eeyore's stick house. Inside the house was Eeyore.

"Hello Eeyore," said Pooh.

"Hello Pooh. Hello Piglet," said Eeyore, in a Glum Sounding Voice.

"We just thought we'd check in on you," said Piglet, "because we hadn't heard from you, and so we wanted to know if you were okay."

Eeyore was silent for a moment. "Am I okay?" he asked, eventually. "Well, I don't know, to be honest. Are any of us really okay? That's what I ask myself. All I can tell you, Pooh and Piglet, is that right now I feel really rather Sad, and Alone, and Not Much Fun To Be Around At All. Which is why I haven't bothered you. Because you wouldn't want to waste your time hanging out with someone who is Sad, and Alone, and Not Much Fun To Be Around At All, would you now."

Pooh looked at Piglet, and Piglet looked at Pooh, and they both sat down, one on either side of Eeyore in his stick house.

Eeyore looked at them in surprise. "What are you doing?"

"We're sitting here with you," said Pooh, "because we are your friends. And true friends don't care if someone is feeling Sad, or Alone, or Not Much Fun To Be Around At All. True friends are there for you anyway. And so here we are."

"Oh," said Eeyore. "Oh." And the three of them sat there in silence, and while Pooh and Piglet said nothing at all; somehow, almost imperceptibly, Eeyore started to feel a very tiny little bit better.

Because Pooh and Piglet were There.

No more; no less.

(A.A. Milne, E.H. Shepard)

Christmas can be a hard time for some people. Look after your mates.

23/12/2023

Christmas is not the most joyful time of year for everyone. Reach out if you need to.

Mind 0300 1233393
Samaritans 116 123
The CALMzone 0800 585858
No panic 0844 9674848
YoungMinds 0808 8025544
Men's advice line 0808 8010327
Domestic Abuse helpline 0808 2000247
The silver line 0800 4708090
Beat 0808 8010677
Text SHOUT to 85258 for text support if talking on the phone isn't possible.

20/12/2023

As we get to the time of year when many new devices are gifted, please remember to have informed conversations with your children.

Although social media has many positives, there comes great responsibility with its use. That is why most apps have a rating of 13+.

If you wouldn’t allow your child to walk around the castle grounds alone at night, it would be wise to take the same precautions with how they use their phone. Unfortunately, the dangers of social media are equivalent, if not greater.

20/12/2023

You may have seen a post doing the rounds on social media about a new su***de prevention helpline number in the UK - 988. This service is not available in the UK.

The Samaritans can be contacted anytime on 116 123 and you can text SHOUT to 85258.

A list of other helplines and websites for anyone needing help are located here

Where to get help if you are having suicidal thoughts, and what to do if you are worried about someone else.

15/12/2023

Just a reminder for the people struggling and stressing about Christmas. Your Christmas is your Christmas. Stop letting Social Media make you think you haven't got it all.

04/12/2023

Before you start bragging that you’ve done your Christmas shopping please remember:

Some parents have lost their jobs and don’t know how they’re going to feed their kids never mind buy presents for them

Some parents are on 80% pay and only just managing to pay bills. 😢😪😪

Some people have lost family members and Christmas won’t be the same. 💔

Some people don’t go online and now have no idea when or how they’ll be able to shop.

Some people are fighting for their lives!! Christmas shopping is the last thing on their minds.

So remember, nobody likes a show off!!

Happy Christmas 🎄👏

25/11/2023

Before you buy a bunch of "stuff" for family and friends this holiday season, try asking them what they really NEED.

03/11/2023

If "Plan A" didn't work, keep your cool. The alphabet has 25 more letters.

28/10/2023

Did you know if you text SHOUT to 85258 in the UK a trained volunteer will provide free, confidential support?

23/10/2023

🎃 Places Where Kids Eat Free (or for £1) During October Half Term 2023 👻
Updates will be added here 👉

Restaurants, Pubs and Cafes where kids can eat free during the various UK 2023 school holidays. Supermarket cafes, chain restaurants and food venues all around the UK are offering the 'Kids Eat Free' or Kids eat for £1 deal during school holidays and savvy parents are hunting them out in order to k...

17/10/2023

If you are experiencing financial difficulties which is effecting your mental health, this page has some links to organisations that can provide support. As well as Mental Health support there are also direct links to information on the government's cost of living support packages.

Find out what support is available to help with the cost of living: income and disability benefits, bills and allowances, childcare, housing and travel.