I've raised £15000 to support the wellbeing of people in Derbyshire via the Bishop of Derby's 2020 Harvest Appeal.
Organised by Bishop of Derby
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Bishop of Derby's Harvest Appeal 2020
This year, the Bishop of Derby's Harvest Appeal will focus on supporting the wellbeing of people in Derbyshire.
You are invited to participate in free Diocesan online mental health and wellbeing resources and events, from Christian partners, made available for congregations to use and offer to local communities.
In addition, we have challenged ourselves to raise £15,000 to support local mental health charity Derbyshire Mind's programme, Enjoying Derbyshire.
Peace of Mind: supporting wellbeing in Derbyshire
What is wellbeing? Wellbeing doesn't have one set meaning.
We might use it to talk about how we feel, how well we're coping with dailylife or what feels possible at the moment. Good mental wellbeing doesn't mean you're always happy or unaffected by your experiences. But poor mental wellbeing can make it more difficult to cope with daily life.
Peace of Mind invites participation: offering resources and events for our own use, and to make available to our communities.
Evidence suggests there are five steps a person can take to improve their mental health and wellbeing: connecting with other people, being physically active, learning new skills, giving kindness to others, and being present in the moment. The resources we offer from Christian partners will include, for example, poetry writing, Christian meditation, reading and Bible study group material, examples of community sport and activity, opportunities for volunteering, and talks from Christian mental health experts.
Peace of Mind invites generosity: raising funds for local mental health charity Derbyshire Mind project 'Enjoying Derbyshire'.
'Enjoying Derbyshire' is a programme of community wellbeing activities delivered across Derby and Derbyshire. It includes activities and courses carefully designed to boost mood and improve mental wellbeing for people with mild to moderate mental health difficulties. Working in partnership with fellow local providers and voluntary sector services, Derbyshire Mind designs its Enjoying Derbyshire activities around the recognised five steps to improving wellbeing. The activities provided are welcoming, supportive and inclusive.
The Enjoying Derbyshire programme is solely funded through donations from organisations, individuals and fundraising events.
Message from Bishop Libby:
Jesus promises us peace: "Peace I leave with you my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."
Every aspect of our personal and national life has been affected by Covid-19. We have faced loss, anxiety, disruption. And life has felt far from peaceful. Our hearts have been troubled our hearts have been afraid. But scripture says, "Do not be afraid: peace be with you".
Jesus cared about our wellbeing: he cared about people's mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Jesus desired for us "life in all its fullness" and recognised how far short life falls from that ideal for us much of the time.
Therefore, this year, our Harvest Appeal seeks to grow the good fruit of "Peace of mind", inviting both participation and generosity.
I pray that this project will encourage us to attend to our own wellbeing, as a sign of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
I pray that this project will encourage us to share the grace of God with others who need to know the peace of Christ.
I pray that this project will encourage us to be generous in supporting Derbyshire Mind to support the wellbeing of our communities through their Enjoying Derbyshire programme, sharing in the work of the Kingdom.
Peace be with you.
+Libby
