Wellbeing

We all need a bit of help sometimes. Vision impairment has its extra challenges, don’t be afraid to ask for support. It’s not all on you.

Wellbeing

We all need a bit of help sometimes. Vision impairment has its extra challenges, don’t be afraid to ask for support. It’s not all on you.

Wellbeing

We all need a bit of help sometimes. Vision impairment has its extra challenges, don’t be afraid to ask for support. It’s not all on you.

I cared for my wellbeing by…

expressing
myself

“I’ve learned to value the gravity of self-expression over time, and appreciate the ways in which my hobbies and interests can contribute to better mental health.”

Read on

keeping fit

“I felt freedom whilst partaking in sports. Every little bit of built up emotions and feelings I could release whilst cycling, playing football again and even swimming.”

Read on

gardening

“Being in the garden is a great way to spend time in the fresh air, and also improves mental health and emotional well-being.  I hope this article inspires you to try it.”

Read on

Getting the right support

Coping with anxiety

Anxiety can feel overwhelming sometimes, but Childline offer advice to help you cope. They look at how you may feel when you are suffering from anxiety, the different forms of anxiety and ways to help you cope.

Visit the Childline website to find out more

The Mix

Essential support on the embarrassing problems, weird questions, and the please-don’t-make-me-say-it-out-loud thoughts for under 25s.

Visit The Mix website to find out more

Fixers

Young people using their past to fix the future. Discover what they are fixing at the moment.

Visit the Fixers website to find out more

Papyrus

PAPYRUS is the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide, their website offers advice and support to anyone who needs it.

Find out more on the Papyrus website

Young Minds

Whether you want to know more about how you’re feeling, get information about a mental health condition or know what support is available to you, Young Minds can help.

Find out more on the Young Minds website

Shout

Trained volunteers are there for you 24/7 to listen and support. To start a conversation text SHOUT to 85258.

Find out more on the Shout website

LOOK Mentors

If you’re aged 11-29 and at school, university/college or looking for work, LOOK have a mentor ready to help you achieve your potential. Sign up to be matched and start chatting about anything relating to your visual impairment.

Find out more on the LOOK website

Organisations that can help

The Prince’s Trust have a comprehensive list of organisations that can help organised by country.

Find out more on the Prince’s Trust website

Anti-Bullying Alliance

The Anti-Bullying Alliance is a coalition of organisations and individuals that are united against bullying.

Visit the Anti-Bullying Alliance website

National Bullying Helpline

Help and advice for children being bullied, call them free on 0300 323 0169.

Visit the National Bullying Helpline website

Support Line

SupportLine provides a confidential telephone helpline offering emotional support to any individual on any issue.

Visit the Support Line website

Young Minds – Bullying

If you’re being bullied, whether it’s online or at school, university or work, it can be really difficult and leave you feeling hurt – but you are not alone. Young Minds have advice on how you can tell someone and get help.

Visit the Support Line website

Apps supporting wellbeing

There are also apps you can download and use to take care of your mental health. Make sure you visit the websites first and read up on what they offer and the information they share before your use them. Remember to be smart online. Any concerns about your mental health should also be discussed with a GP.

Combined Minds

Combined Minds is an app developed for teenage mental health charity stem4 by Dr. Nihara Krause, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, to help families and friends support young people with their mental health.

Visit the Combined Minds website

TellMi

The TellMi app allows you to talk anonymously about difficult things with other people of a similar age or experience. You can get help with your problems or use your experiences to help others. The app is a safe space where all posts and replies are checked before going live so there is no harassment, bullying or grooming.

Visit the TellMi website

Clear Fear

Clear Fear is an app developed for teenage mental health charity stem4 and focuses on learning to reduce the physical responses to threat by learning to breathe, relax and be mindful as well as changing thoughts and behaviours and releasing emotions.

Visit the Clear Fear website

WorryTree

WorryTree’s mission is to help make a positive difference to your daily life, providing a supportive, helpful tool for you to manage your worries in a better way, transforming your thought habits for the long-term benefit of your mental health and wellbeing.

Visit the WorryTree website

Catch it

Catch It is a joint project between the Universities of Liverpool and Manchester, to help users better understand their moods through use of an ongoing diary.

Visit the University of Liverpool website

Cove

Music for your mental health – Improve your mental health by making music.

Visit the Cove website

Self-help App for the Mind (SAM)

SAM is a non-profit, community-backed wellbeing app to help you monitor and manage your mental health, with self-help techniques to help with anxiety, depression, loneliness and coping.

Visit the SAM website

distrACT

The distrACT app provides trusted information and links to support for people who self-harm and may feel suicidal.

Visit the distrACT website

Calm Harm

Worried about self-harm? Calm Harm is a free app that helps you manage or resist the urge to self-harm.

Visit the Calm Harm website

I cared for my wellbeing by…

expressing myself

“I’ve learned to value the gravity of self-expression over time, and appreciate the ways in which my hobbies and interests can contribute to better mental health.”

Read on

keeping fit

“I felt freedom whilst partaking in sports. Every little bit of built up emotions and feelings I could release whilst cycling, playing football again and even swimming.”

Read on

gardening

“Being in the garden is a great way to spend time in the fresh air, and also improves mental health and emotional well-being.  I hope this article inspires you to try it.”

Read on

Look after your wellbeing

VICTA Activities for 14-17s

Come together with your VI-Peers. Create positive experiences and relationships through fun activities.

Join

Try some crafts at home

Art can be therapeutic, learn to tie-dye with Ruqaiya or paint and hide a tactile rock to spread some positivity.

Tie Dye
Tactile rocks!

John Muir Environmental Award

Making the most of nature to boost mental health and wellbeing.

Discover

Yoga practice

Before lockdown occurred, a group of VICTA’s 18-29yr olds took part in a Wellbeing Weekend where they relaxed their body and mind with Yoga and seated meditation every morning. Here are the exercises the group used so you can have a go in your own home.

Get the yoga exercises

Yoga/stretch classes

British Blind Sport teamed up with local deliverers and VI friendly activity providers to bring you a variety of at-home workouts and routines to keep you healthy and active from the comfort of your front room.

Discover on the BBS website

Look after your wellbeing

VICTA Activities for 14-17s

Come together with your VI-Peers. Create positive experiences and relationships through fun activities.

Join

Try some crafts at home

Art can be therapeutic, learn to tie-dye with Ruqaiya or paint and hide a tactile rock to spread some positivity.

Tie Dye
Tactile rocks!

John Muir Environmental Award

Making the most of nature to boost mental health and wellbeing.

Discover

Yoga practice

Before lockdown occurred, a group of VICTA’s 18-29yr olds took part in a Wellbeing Weekend where they relaxed their body and mind with Yoga and seated meditation every morning. Here are the exercises the group used so you can have a go in your own home.

Get the yoga exercises

Yoga & meditation videos

VICTA’s Virtual Parent Wellbeing Retreat shares video tutorials for yoga and meditation techniques that all ages can try at home to promote a healthy mindset.

Discover on the VICTA website

Your experiences

Read and share!