Mental Health Awareness Week 2025

DIlan Aksu - VCSE Link Worker & EDI Champion

"As someone who has navigated life between two countries, I understand what it feels like to be caught between two worlds; never fully here, never fully there. It’s a constant balancing act, and it often leads to a deep sense of being misunderstood or not quite fitting in. This can be incredibly isolating. But one of the most profound lessons I have learned is the power of community. When you find others who share your journey, there’s an immediate sense of comfort. Your voice is heard, your emotions are validated, and your experiences are understood. You might not always feel at home in a specific place, especially when your identity is shaped by two different cultures, but in a community, you find a safe space where you're accepted. It’s a place where your journey is not only understood but also embraced. At Doncaster Mind, we believe that no one should face mental health challenges alone. We are committed to embracing and welcoming voices from all communities, understanding that mental health affects everyone, regardless of background. Whether English is your first language or not, your voice matters, and we are here to listen, support, and walk alongside you."

Sarah Evans - Rise Therapy Service Co-ordinator

"Community for me, is about working collectively towards something that's bigger than yourself for the greater good.

I’m relatively new to my role at Doncaster Mind and in the short time I’ve been here, I 've been taken aback by the kindness and compassion of the staff and therapists I work with. I share their passion for wanting to support and improve the lives of the people of Doncaster. The variety of support offered at Doncaster Mind is always developing to meet the needs of our diverse client base and our therapy service is no exception to this, our community of people includes those running the service and a growing number of therapists.

In addition to working at Doncaster Mind, in my personal life my interest in community is reflected in playing my part in supporting the running of the Warmsworth Gala, which gives vital support to charities and the residents that live there." 

Laura Arthur - CEO

Laura talks about how the park run community helps her to stay well in her video clip

Ryan Lunn - Therapist

Ryan talks about community and hope in his video clip

Get involved! Together, we can make a difference

For individuals:

• Smile and say hello: small gestures build big connections.
• Be kind: acts of kindness boost self-esteem and build community.
• Spread the word: let others know that Doncaster Mind is here to help
• Connect to your locality: pop in to our What's Stopping You? Drop In (thank you for coming - we loved seeing you!)
• Walk and connect: join one of our Move for Your Mind walks (great to see you on our first Move for Your Mind walk))
• Just be: quiet the noise with My Mindful Hour (free)
• Fundraise: grab our fundraising pack and make a difference.
• Volunteer: share your time and passion — be part of something meaningful.

For local organisations & companies:

• Adopt Doncaster Mind as your Charity of the Year
• Fundraise as a team for morale and mental health
• Book mental health training to support your staff and create a healthier workplace

To everyone who attended our free VCSE Mental Health First Aid training this week, thank you for caring about mental health, we are privileged to support you with your learning.

46 Years of Supporting our Doncaster community

Now in our 46th year, we continue to stand with the community, offering practical and emotional support to anyone struggling with mental health. Whether your experiencing anxiety, loss, loneliness, low mood, or just feeling stuck — our message is clear: you’re not alone.

Service Spotlight:

Our HIU (High Intensity Use) service provides support to people who use emergency services more frequently than is typically expected. These people may not have received the correct support for their needs, or may not know where to go to access support, and as a result they turn to Doncaster A&E department for help.

Part of our role within the HIU service is to make people aware of other services and support available to them within their community and provide support to access these. This could be mental health support, support for physical health needs such as their GP or pharmacy, or groups and activities for people that are lonely and would benefit from social interaction.

When people become connected to their local community and sources of support within their community it results in increased quality of life for the individual and decreases or prevents the need to rely on emergency services.

Please contact us on 01302 812190 if you'd like to talk to us.