Network Rail has teamed up with mental health charity Chasing the Stigma as part of a new mental health awareness campaign.
To raise awareness for the important cause, the campaign will be touring around England with a huge floral arrangement that spells out 'Brighter Journeys'- the name of their campaign.
The flowers will be on display in London's Liverpool Street station until Wednesday 11 May to mark Mental Health Awareness Week before the display will embark on a national tour across the UK until the end of the month- starting with a stop in Leeds.
From Friday 13 May - Sunday 15 May 2022, the Brighter Journeys flower display will take pride in place of Leeds Train Station before moving onto the likes of Edinburgh Waverley, Birmingham New Street and Cardiff.
The campaign will visit Leeds Train Station this weekend. / Image: Network Rail
The idea is that the flowers will bring smiles to faces whilst "helping make stations feel brighter and happier for your return to the railway", according to Network Rail.
"Brighter Journeys will signpost people to share and download the Hub of Hope app if they or someone they know are struggling with their mental health.
"The app – provided by Chasing the Stigma – is the only service of its kind that brings together all the mental health support options available to someone in any given area."
Such support includes services from the NHS, national charities Mind and Samaritans, as well as a staggering 3,500 registered private, grassroots, third party services, national, local and voluntary schemes across the UK that can assist anyone struggling with their mental health.
Founder of Chasing the Stigma, Jake Mills, outside the Brighter Days sign. / Image: Network Rail
Network Rail's chosen charity partner, Chasing the Stigma, is headed by Jake Mills, an inspiring figure who chose to develop the Hub of Hope app after his a suicide attempt. The charity founder has previously spoken out about the challenges people face when they feel as if they don't have anywhere to turn to.
In a previous press release with Network Rail, Jake Mills has commented on the impact that the pandemic has had on mental health:
"The last 18 months have been tough for so many people and it’s essential that we continue to look out for one another. Breaking down the stigma around mental health, providing tools for early intervention and giving people access to the right support at the right time is vital – it’s the reason why we set up the Hub of Hope and can make such a massive difference.”
New data from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) reports that around 70% of UK adults have said that their mental health has been negatively impacted by the pandemic- including almost a fifth of these participants who described their mental health as poor.
Thousands of commuters will witness the flowers in person this weekend. / Image: Network Rail
Andrew Haines, chief executive of Network Rail, said:
“We must continue to prioritise our mental well-being and support one another as we tackle the various challenges life can throw at us. I care passionately about making lasting changes to support the mental wellbeing of our people and our passengers. We will be making our stations brighter, more positive and friendlier places and making access to support services easier to help vulnerable people find the support they need.”
Anyone who is struggling with their mental health is encouraged to use the Hub of Hope app regardless of whether you're visiting the Brighter Journeys display. The Hub of Hope is free to download and available from App Store, Play Store and via the Hub of Hope website.
Feature Image- Network Rail
Leeds
Inside the new Leeds craft shop where you can make your own phone cases, water bottles, and notepads
A new crafting paradise has opened in Leeds city centre, right in time for the summer holidays.
Happy Hour Workshop has already been a smash hit over in Greater Manchester, and now owner Lili has brought her playful and creative business over to Queens Arcade.
The brand-new, sunny yellow crafting destination has walls absolutely crammed with colourful supplies, with a big focus on the current trend of cream gel DIY.
The level of customisation here will send an indecisive person into a tailspin.
First you can choose the item you want to customise, whether it’s a mirror, a claw clip, a pencil case, a handheld fan, a phone case, a water bottle, a notepad, or just about any other useful item you can think of.
Then you’re let loose with a bowl and dream, to peruse the many, many drawers of colourful charms you can add to your chosen product.
There are literally thousands of charms - food items like hot dogs and ice cream cones; characters like Labubus and Minions; and adorable motifs like bows and rainbows.
The wall of craft suppliesThousands of charms to choose fromYou can customise a glass tumblerOr make a notepadOwner Lili outside Happy Hour Workshop Leeds
You could spell out your name with bubble letters, make a whole buffet’s worth of fake food items, design yourself a beautiful garden, or create a new world for the K-Pop Demon Hunters.
Your final step before heading to your craft station is to choose a colour cream gel, which you can pipe onto your item like icing a cake before wedging your charms into place.
As well as the charms, Happy Hour Workshop is offering other crafting experiences like bracelet making, money box painting, paint by numbers, slime making, and loads more to come.
You’ll find it at 9 Queens Arcade and it’s open now.
Pints of Knowledge, Callum Campbell’s fastest-growing event, is coming to Leeds city centre this summer
Clementine Hall
The pub night that's packing out venues across the UK is coming to Leeds.
Let us introduce you to Pints of Knowledge, a phenomenon founded by Callum Campbell that has built a social media following of more than 160,000 people.
This is different to your average night out, it's a chance to meet new people and spark interesting conversation all in the relaxing surroundings of a pub.
The event has attracted thousands to its unique mix of expert talks, conversation and community in pubs across the UK.
Image: Supplied
And if you're looking to get in on the action then you're in luck, because Pints of Knowledge is arriving at The Wardrobe on Sunday 9 August.
So, what can you expect? From landmark legal history and the hidden pressures behind big systems to the evolving language of gaslighting and radical cinema, Sunday's Leeds programme will demonstrate exactly why Pints of Knowledge has struck such a chord with audiences across the UK.
Founder Callum Campbell, who has spent more than a decade producing live events across Britain, said bringing the concept to Leeds was the natural next step - and we're so happy he thought so.
Image: Supplied
He said: "I've always wanted to bring Pints of Knowledge to more cities across England, and Leeds has such a strong appetite for ideas and conversation. Watching this grow has been amazing, and I can't wait to bring it here.
"As more people look for experiences beyond a traditional night out, Pints of Knowledge offers something different: expert speakers, thought-provoking conversations and the chance to meet new people, all in the relaxed surroundings of a pub.
"People still love going to the pub, but they're looking for more from the experience. Pints of Knowledge is about hearing incredible stories, asking questions, meeting interesting people and leaving having learned something new."
Image: Supplied
The Pints of Knowledge programme at The Wardrobe will look like this:
12pm - Human rights lawyer Mahnoor Omer presents '10 Legal Cases that Changed History'.
2pm - Georgina Shute asks 'Why billion-pound systems are built by people who can't finish their to-do lists'.
4pm - Isobel Logan explores 'Gaslighting: The Evolution of a Concept Across Art, Relationships and Politics'.
6pm - Angelos Koutsourakis will examine 'Third Cinema, The Global South & Climate Change'.
Campbell added: "One hour you can be unpacking landmark legal cases, the next you're hearing about the psychology behind gaslighting, before finishing the day exploring cinema and climate change. That's what makes Pints of Knowledge different.
"This is just the beginning. We've seen an incredible response across the UK, and we're excited to build on that by bringing Pints of Knowledge to more cities across the country.”
Pints of Knowledge takes place at The Wardrobe in Leeds on Sunday 9 August, and you can get your tickets here.
Sophie Smith -
10th May 2022 
