On the 21st August, 2018 I am doing a sky dive with the Red Devils Army Parachute Display Team. The Parachute Regiment Freefall Team 'The Red Devils' is the official parachute display team of both the Parachute Regiment (The Paras) and the British Army. I was given this skydive as a gift for my 21st birthday and was bought through a charity event and therefore want to give something back.

Having had personal experience of the effects of mental health. I am raising money towards two local groups that support my community; Shadows Depression Support Group and Canolfan Maerdy - Maerdy Youth. Mental health affects everyone, whether its your father, sister, cousin, friend or a neighbour. Mental health surrounds us.

These groups help support people with their health and well being.

Shadows Depression Support Group

Since opening their doors in January 2017 Shadows Depression Support Group in Glanamman:

They Provide: Group Support, One to one peer support , Advocacy and Signposting , Contacting services and organisations for any member who may need us to speak on their behalf and Run an out of hours support service and deliver Courses to help individuals manage their mental health difficulties and also have their own library of books . Shadows is a member of Stephen Fry’s Audio Books which all the members can access on request, and have a Whatsapp Shadows Support tool for all the members to support each other

Currently about 25 members attend the group on a Monday Evening who all experience difficulties under the Depression umbrella.

The group have had a number of guest speakers and courses to manage mental health and have excellent communications with the Local GP surgeries, Job Centre and police, local NHS,various Mental Health organisations and local therapists who regularly visit Shadows and also refer people to the service.

Shadows now support to local employers and their employees to raise awareness of mental health and what support there is in their local area.

Maerdy Youth

Maerdy Youth Supports over 260 young people and have recently opened the youth club fortnightly on a Saturday to help with young people suffering with anxiety and stress.

A ‘drop in’ Youth Wellness Café is held every other Saturday morning between 10am and 2pm which provides qualified support to young people who are suffering with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, stress and other emotional health problems. Young people can receive 1:1 or group support or use arts therapy through and with our facilitators to help them improve their wellbeing.

The Group provide support on: Emotional Wellness, Anxiety, Depression, Living with Disabilities, Sexual Health, Relationships, Healthy Eating, Healthy Lifestyles, Smoking Cessation, Drugs and Alcohol Services.