Our achievements

Since 28th January 2018, our small team of volunteers have:

• Developed Metal for Life NI to become a registered Charity (NIC108508) with Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.

• Sought and taken expert advice on the best way to run peer support groups to benefit the mental health of Metal for Life members.

• Set up our non-profit organisation as a Charity, with a high standard, quality documentation system, strictly following current Charity Commission NI and regulations and guidelines, including the Code of Good Governance.

• Constituted our organisation as governed by a Board of Trustees, which is elected annually at AGM by registered members.

• Created and developed charitable purposes, mission and policies with sole benefit to members of Metal for Life NI.

• Acquired multiple small grants from Impact Network NI for the prevention of self-harm and suicide and the promotion of mental health. Our projects have been clearly determined to be effective.

• Appointed and trained facilitators and volunteers in Metal for Life NI guidelines and policies.

• Trained support group facilitators in respectfully handling substance use and self-harming or suicidal thoughts and behaviours, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training and Mental Health First Aid.

• Run regular, free-of-charge, peer support groups which are tailored to benefit metal and rock fans.

• Arranged events, workshops and outings for support group attendees including environmental conservation work.

• Attended key mental health events including NI Science Festival Understanding Suicide and International Association for Suicide Prevention Congress

• Identified professionally qualified counsellors for recommendation to our members who require a one-to-one service.

• Developed key collaborations with professional and public bodies, organisations and individuals, mental health supportive groups, Metal industry bands, groups and individuals.

• Collaborated with and raised over £13,000 for AWARE NI, Northern Ireland’s leading charity tackling depression and bi-polar disorder

• Reached out to and made a difference to people’s lives, often behind the scenes, confidentially.

 

In terms of marketing, we have:

• Regularly run open days, presenting the benefits of Metal for Life NI support and services offered.

• Circulated hundreds of Metal for Life NI t-shirts, bags, hats and thousands of promotional materials including business card beermats, stickers, pens, notebooks – all to promote our cause

• Promoted our cause with the help of local and international bands, promoters, journalists, photographers, venues, bars and businesses.

• Attended events and fund-raisers locally and further afield including The Distortion Project and Bloodstock Festival.

• Participated in interviews, radio shows and podcasts to raise awareness of the support available for mental health

 

Building a strong following on social media, we have:

• Promoted our cause, focussing on our Metal and Rock community

• Created a confidential Metal Minds facebook group for support group attendees.

• Created a website providing information on our organisation and support services.

• Provided education and support on depression, stress and anxiety, managing emotions, sleep deprivation, emotional resilience, and ways to improve mental well-being through our Metal Health series.

• Promoted “Take 5 steps to well-being” , "Steps to Overcome Stress" and other beneficial steps to self-recovery.

• Linked members to important information on NHS / PHA and other supportive charities, organisations,  self-help web pages, social media groups and organisations.

 

Volunteers have helped us to:

• discuss Metal for Life NI with the Public Health Agency, local Trusts and Funding Bodies

• promote the group and raise funds to keep our services completely free-of-charge

• run supportive and educational events and workshops

• develop branded imagery and publications to inspire followers of  our social media pages

• create our Metal for Life logos, fonts and range of merchandise

• reach more Metal fans  by promoting our cause publicly

• be at the heart of our community - running information and merchandise stands at local events and Metal / Rock shows

 

 

Metal for Life NI is available to anyone in the Metal & Rock Community. EVERY person we reach is valued and valuable.

Together we can make a difference to the lives of the amazing people in our Metal & Rock Community in Northern Ireland.

 

Metal for Life NI – supporting mental health together