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Status
Received: on time
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Income
£4.3K
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Spending
£3.9K
Public benefits
The direct benefits which flow from this purpose include: the improvement of mental ill health (such as depression and anxiety) and associated detrimental behaviours; suicide prevention; improved public knowledge of the support available for mental ill health; improved awareness and understanding of the symptoms of mental ill health; and reduction
in the societal stigmatisation of mental ill health. Metal for Life NI provides free-of-charge, safe, confidential peer support group discussions between like-minded Metal and Rock Music fans to support mental and emotional well-being. Our Groups are sociable, relaxed, therapeutic and are facilitated by trained, experienced volunteers. Our groups benefit our clients’ attitude to their own well-being; respect for themselves and others; tolerance; emotional resilience; handling troublesome life events; effective communication; and a strong sense of belonging to a community. Our clients feel a great sense of purpose when they are able to reach out to support each other. Our mental health peer support groups are frequent, free of charge and accessible to our clients, without the need for referral or waiting times, thus benefitting individuals who may not otherwise have the opportunity to avail of mental health support. Our support therefore begins with immediate effect as soon as the client is ready, very often providing great relief to those who connect with us. Our Peer Support service is enhanced by regular projects, events, trips and workshops providing clients with opportunities to have new experiences with people they respect and trust. These benefits can be demonstrated through regular feedback from Metal for Life NI Peer Support Group Clients using anonymised surveys; written and verbal communication; Peer Support Group Summary Reports; and evaluations of our Public Health Agency funded projects focussing on improving mental health and suicide prevention. Metal for Life NI understands vulnerability associated with mental ill health. We have assessed potential harm to clients of our service through a detailed risk analysis; the benefits of our service far outweigh any detriment to our clients. Clients may occasionally become distressed during peer support group sessions which are run by fully trained, experienced facilitators. Facilitators are approachable and attentive handling any distress with sensitivity and confidentiality. Metal for Life NI maintains an effective Quality Management System. All volunteers are aware of their responsibilities and are trained in mechanisms to fulfil their roles competently. We regularly review our accountability to ensure that we: provide a valuable service; are financially solvent; and compliant with our obligations. Information about the Metal for Life NI service and communication mechanisms is detailed, transparent and available through our website and social media outlets. The charity’s beneficiaries are adults living in Northern Ireland who are fans, artists and employees of the Metal and Rock Music industry together with their families, colleagues and friends. Volunteering for the Metal for Life NI mental health charity provides incidental benefits of personal satisfaction, improved communication, sense of purpose, mental health education and organisational skills. These incidental private benefits are necessary to the effective delivery of the Metal for Life NI service. There is no direct private benefit flowing from our charitable purpose and activities.
... [more] [less]What your organisation does
Metal for Life NI is a charitable organisation which supports the mental health of Metal and Rock Music fans in Northern Ireland. The group was founded in honour of Dani Kansanaho, who tragically took his own life in October 2017, aged 23. Depression and suicidal thoughts can affect anyone at any time, and we quickly realised that many other Metal
and Rock Music fans suffer from mental ill health. The general public often incorrectly thinks that metal music and lifestyle choices are to blame for mental illness. In fact, the opposite is true and we are challenging this stigma head on. We support the mental health of adults living in Northern Ireland who enjoy Metal and Rock Music. To provide this support, we primarily run regular Mental Health Peer Support Groups in Northern Ireland. We nurture mutual respect, confidentiality and positive well-being, aiming to bring people together within our local Metal and Rock community without judgement or prejudice. All our services are accessible, free-of-charge, welcoming and highly confidential. Registration is essential. Our goal is ultimately to preserve life. Through social media, Metal for Life NI encourages followers to support mental health; challenge stigma associated with mental ill health; post inspirational music, images and thoughts. We run a variety of awareness events and workshops, fundraisers and outings throughout the year. We also raise mental health awareness within our Metal and Rock community, attending gigs and shows regularly. We are delighted to have been endorsed over the years by many people in the music industry as well as local and international bands. Metal for Life NI is fully constituted and run by a Board of Trustees. We are boosted by support from Impact Network Northern Ireland and the Public Health Agency as well as local and international bands and the Metal/Rock music industry in Northern Ireland.
... [more] [less]The charity’s classifications
- The advancement of health or the saving of lives
Who the charity helps
- General public
- Mental health
How the charity works
- Counselling/support
- Medical/health/sickness
