A local poet has been commissioned to write a special poem for the relaunch of a men`s mental heakth and wellbeing group in Walsall.

Ian Henery, the former Walsall Poet Laurerate and Poet in Residence of Walsall Parish Church, headlined was commissioned by MindKind Projects CIC in Walsall for the relaunch of their men`s group at the MindKind Wellbeing Centre in proffitt Street, Walsall.

Ian had previously worked with MindKind when he chose to base himself at the MindKind Wellbeing Centre when he was the headline poet for Offa`s Books with Wolverhampton Poet Laureate Kuli Kohli.

"18 people a day die by suicide in the UK" said Ian Henery.  "That`s 126 people every week.  We want to remind anyone that is having a difficult time right now that your life matters.  Even when things feel helpless and dark don`t give up.  You have the strength to get through any inner battle you`re facing and remember - you are never alone".  

The MindKind Projects is a part lottery-funded CIC that was established three years ago to support the wellbeing of residents in and around Walsall.  They provide mental health support  through training, coaching, mentoring and user-controlled peer supported groups. Specialising in community based action research, they strive to ensure services are designed, co-produced and continuously reviewed to meet the needs of Walsall residents with respect to the mental health agenda.

MindKind have expertise in utilising person-centred Motivational Interviewing techniques in order to amplify and elevate the voice of citizens. This work has supported a portfolio of qualitative research evidence and case studies which have demonstrated a need for community based mental health services to partners, funders and investors. 

Through these activities, MindKind have delivered over £250k of investment into wellbeing activities in Walsall over the last 12 months. MindKind are working with the Resilient Communities programme and Walsall Together to deliver Community Based Action Research training. 

"As well as the poetry" said Ian "we had a pizza party, retro games and a raffle.  Plus lots of talk.  It was totally inclusive and a safe place.  MindKind Projects are doing a great service for the people of Walsall and I was honoured to be involved."