September at Sean’s Place
As the summer months come to a close, we have had a jam packed month with lots of new opportunities for our members and some lovely surprises for our service which we are excited to share…please read on to find out more!
BBC Radio Merseyside Make a Difference Award
As we headed into September, we received a very surprising and exciting call, we’d been nominated for a ‘Make a Difference’ award from BBC Radio Merseyside! One of our amazing members’ mums had nominated us in the Community Group category, kindly sharing how much support her son has received through Sean’s Place.
While it’s always incredibly special to hear about the difference our service has made, we’re quick to say that we only do part of the work. It’s our brave members — the men who walk through our doors — who truly deserve the recognition. We simply couldn’t do what we do without the trust and support of the men, families and professionals in our community who allow us to be part of their mental health journey.
Just a few short weeks later, Debbie and two of our fantastic volunteers attended the awards night and were absolutely thrilled to bring home the award for Sean’s Place! As always, our team felt incredibly proud and humbled to be recognised for our commitment to helping as many men as possible access support and take positive steps towards a brighter future
Training and Learning
Here at Sean’s Place, we’re always looking for ways to offer opportunities our members might not otherwise have access to. That’s why member feedback is so important to us, we actively encourage everyone to share what social and learning opportunities they feel would benefit them most.
Over the past few months, several members asked to be signposted to information about Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC). Some had children or grandchildren who had recently been diagnosed, while others were exploring their own diagnoses. One of our team members, who has both professional experience delivering ASC training and personal experience as a parent to a son with ASC, stepped up to design and deliver a short course on Understanding Autism.
The session proved to be a real eye-opener for many, with members leaving behind common misconceptions and gaining a new appreciation for the boundaries, strengths and challenges faced by people with ASC. Sean’s Place is a safe, inclusive and diverse space, and it was wonderful to see our members feeling more confident and empowered to support others. A huge well done to everyone who took part in the course in September, we’re already looking forward to delivering it again in the future.
Another vital part of what we offer at Sean’s Place is our suicide prevention training, which we provide both here at Sean’s Place and in workplaces across the community. In September, we delivered two training days to two very different organisations and received some incredible feedback. Participants told us they finished the sessions feeling more confident in recognising the signs that someone may be struggling and knowing how to respond if they encounter someone in suicidal crisis.
With statistics showing that 1 in 4 people will experience suicidal thoughts at some point in their lives, we’re incredibly passionate about empowering people to support others during their most vulnerable moments. Well done to everyone who took part — your willingness to learn really does make a difference
Out and About
This month brought a fantastic new opportunity for our Sean’s Place members — our very first camping trip!
We’ve recently started working with Laurels Wood CIC, just up the road in Formby, and we couldn’t feel luckier to have such a wonderful outdoor space right on our doorstep. We know just how powerful time in nature can be for both mental and physical wellbeing, and this experience truly highlighted that.
We took 15 of our members on a two-day camping adventure , and this was no ordinary camping trip! Alongside sleeping under the stars, the group got stuck into foraging, fire lighting, shelter building, archery and even axe throwing. After a busy first day, everyone gathered around the campfire for a beautiful sing-along before settling in for the night.
For some of the men, this was their first-ever camping experience, and every single one had an amazing time. By the end of the trip, the big question was already being asked: when’s the next one? We’re delighted to say we’re planning another camping trip next spring, when we’ll have longer days and hopefully some drier weather too.
A huge well done to all the men who took part, stepped outside their comfort zones and tried something new , we’re incredibly proud of you
Counselling sessions provided in September
Social Support attendences in September
Members Opportunities
September was a truly jam-packed month at Sean’s Place, with our members enjoying over one hundred social sessions throughout the month! As always, our drop-in sessions were as busy as ever. We often describe these as the bread and butter of our social support, a chance to relax, be yourself, and spend time in a safe, welcoming and non-judgemental space, knowing you’re not alone on your mental health journey.
Alongside our drop-ins, we also ran a wide range of activity-based sessions to suit different interests and needs. For those wanting to build fitness and confidence, we offered physical sessions including Muay Thai, cycling, walking, and strength and conditioning classes. For members looking for something calmer, we hosted meditation and sound bathing, yoga, and breathwork sessions — perfect for easing anxiety and restlessness.
Connection is at the heart of what we do, so there were plenty of social sessions too. Movie and quiz nights, chess club, games afternoons, jam nights and our Speakeasy peer support group all provided opportunities to connect, share and enjoy time together.
We also enjoyed some lovely days out, including a local culture trip with our Over 60s Club, who spent the day being tourists along the riverfront and around the city centre.
A huge well done to everyone who attended a session for the very first time in September , taking that first step can be the hardest, and we’re so glad you found your way to us
Thankyou!!!!
We are absolutely delighted to share some incredible news — Sean’s Place now has its very own vehicle, generously donated by the amazing Motorvate team at Jaguar Land Rover Halewood 🚗💙
Four years ago, Jaguar employee Billy discovered Sean’s Place and made it his personal mission to support us through his workplace. Jaguar Land Rover offers employees the chance to put forward worthy causes to a national committee, with the opportunity to win a donated vehicle. Over the years, we came close several times, but Billy never gave up.
This year — and beautifully timed just before Billy’s retirement — we finally won. We are now the proud owners of our very own branded Sean’s Place vehicle, which will help us spread awareness of our service, reach more people, and strengthen our connection with the wider community.
A huge thank you to Billy and the entire Motorvate and Jaguar Land Rover Halewood teams who helped make this happen. We are completely overwhelmed and incredibly grateful for your continued support — this will make a real difference to the people we support every day
