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Introduction

(by Paul Oxborough)

There is good news on the horizon spring is very close, days are getting longer and it is feeling warmer. This means cheaper heating bills, switching off the tumble dryer and using the money we save for petrol to get our bikes out! Winter can be a tough season for bikers but once again on our peer support group you have been there for each other, looking after those who have been struggling. New friendships have been made and hopefully you will get a chance to meet each other face to face for a cuppa this year. For many of us who struggle with poor mental health having events to go to or dates in diaries to look forward to can help us not slip backward into that dark place. Lets make this year count. Big thanks and shout out to all our very large team of volunteers that keeps Mental Health Motorbike growing, your hard work is greatly appreciated. Finally, welcome to the 200+ mental health first aiders who are helping create a dedicated network of support for us bikers. We are getting closer to that target of 1000! Enjoy this months newsletter - Paul Oxo

WEEBLE'S WORLD

When you have been travelling on one road for a long time, it can be quite daunting making a decision which sees you go in a different direction. Have faith in yourself, trust your own judgement and, if possible, make sure there is someone at your side who will go with you on the journey.
#weeblesworld
#mentalhealthmotorbike
#mhmotorbike #sprolliesofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #dogsarefamily #bikersofinstagram #bikesaretherapy #bikerart #motorcycleart #trustyourself

This month's super hero

Celebrating the people who have made a difference

This is Rich Gibson, ex forces, a family man, a man with a story, a man who has had his own personal struggles but also a man who is working hard to make a difference. We first met Rich when he bravely reached out for a chat and admitted he was struggling - we got on well and it didn't take long before we had lined him up as a volunteer with Mental Health Motorbike. Through Rich's knowledge of the club racing scene he helped us understand the world of the race marshal and how important they are in the world of racing (at all levels). Rich encouraged us to think about putting a blanket of support in place for these unsung heroes who see some difficult incidents and accidents. He was instrumental at making this initiative happen at BSB Silverstone when he met Jacqui Solley who was a senior race marshal. Fast forward many months and we are about to train our 42nd race marshal in mental health first aid. An idea that has become a reality all it needs is some creative thinking and real belief.

Thank you Rich - your volunteering will be indirectly responsible for saving many lives by creating this network of support #legends #mhfa #mhmotorbike #thankyou fancy being the next legend with a story? volunteer with Mental Health Motorbike now

We need your support to keep the charity running, can you give a few pounds each month? click on the link or scan QR code below ...

Are you a race marshal who would like to do the mental health first aid training for free please email karen@mhmotorbike.com for more information

MHFA COURSES
(By Karen Cole)

Well February has been another busy month, and at times we’ve had 6 sessions running in the same week! We’re keeping our fabulous Instructor Chris Rollings very busy indeed.
By the end of February we will have completed 6 courses, and welcomed 84 new Mental Health First Aiders since the beginning of 2023. 23 of these are race marshals, paid for by your generous donations. It will be great to see our green badge patches sewn onto orange overalls this year. We are also working with BSB (Stuart Higgs of Motorsport Vision) and Racesafe Marshals to formulate a support plan for everyone associated with BSB from racers to paddock staff – and of course the audience. But it’s not just about sport, during March we are training motorcycle dealership staff, a journalist and a group of motorcycle trainers – more about this in the March newsletter, but we are making sure that the green badge is recognised and promoted far and wide so riders can access a helping hand when they need it.
On a less positive note we had space for 96 people on these courses which were all fully booked, an average of 2 people per course either cancelled at short notice, or just didn’t start the course which costs us money and deprives others of the place. Please do consider carefully before booking a course, it’s a big commitment, but one that is well worth taking on.
Happily, despite this we are still well on target to have trained 1,000 Mental Health First Aiders by the end of 2024, together we will be able to support so many riders, my thanks to each and every one of you!
Karen

Why not sign up to do a future MHFA course...?

See a message from one of our recent MHFA course attendes

Here's a short video by one of our newly qualified Mental Health First Aiders - fancy doing a truly life saving course? Visit www.mhmotorbike.com/mhfa to find out more

MHFA Volunteer Induction Sessions

All MHFAs are invited to attend one of our monthly Zoom induction sessions to find out more about Mental Health Motorbike and our volunteer roles available. Volunteers work at different levels within the charity based around what time they are able to give, and the induction session is an opportunity for you to ask questions and receive more information.

There are a variety of volunteer roles available to suit everyone, including :
·       Working as a moderator on the online peer support group
·       Offering short one-to-one online MHFA sessions
·       Working with the team at events around the country
·       Supporting the welfare of participants on future training courses
·       Or more general volunteering using your skills

Our volunteer induction sessions are 1 hour long via Zoom.

The next session in on Tuesday 7th March 2023. If you would like to attend please make sure you register (please follow the link below).

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEuc-mpqDwqHNev0x5QqdbPQCysOvYqmcmw

VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT

Are you passionate about the wellbeing and mental health of the biking community in your region – do you want to play a bigger part with Mental Health Motorbike?

We are in the process of recruiting regional coordinators - thank you to each and every one of you who has expressed an interest in these roles.

There will be other volunteer roles advertised during the coming months, please keep an eye out for adverts if you are interested in any of the following roles :

Events Manager
Fundraising Manager
Training Administrator
Marketing Manager
Systems Manager
And more Moderator roles

The spaces in between

(by Martin Smith)

In my work life, I take on both technical and creative roles. I run both an IT consultancy and a graphic design business. While I am not a medical professional and would not want to discuss the science and function of the left and right brain hemispheres, I do like to consider my technical and creative functions as centred on separate areas of the brain.

My thought process certainly seems different when tackling a technical project than when I am setting out a creative mood board for a new design. While I can flit between my two separate ‘brain spaces’, I find it's better to take the time to calibrate myself first. I take a period of mindfulness where I can clear my mind. These are the spaces in between.

While I use this process in my working day, I think it's something that can be applied to many circumstances. That could be from moving from one email to another, fixing one thing on the motorcycle before moving to the next issue, or sorting out an insurance renewal before moving to the next pressing task.

Without a deep breath, pause and acknowledging the space in between we risk trying to achieve everything all at once, becoming overwhelmed and burnt out. Be kind to yourself and reap the rewards.

Presentation to Thornycroft Solicitors

It was a great pleasure to be invited to meet the team at Thorneycroft solicitors earlier this month. Paul, Mark and Debbie were able to do a great presentation about Mental Health Motorbike as well as having a more open and general chat about mental health in the workplace. This was really well received by 15+ solicitors and support staff. Thank you for the really stimulating discussions and the very warm welcome (and cakes!).
Thorneycroft solicitors have been really good friends of Mental Health Motorbike sponsoring gazebos, events and providing display boards. This is a really worthwhile and meaningful partnership. If you'd like to get involved supporting our work please email info@mhmotorbike.com

VISIT OUR EVENTS & TRAINING CALENDAR

Upcoming Events

2nd April Warwickshire Road Safety Project Edward
7th / 9th April BSB Silverstone
16th April MV Dealership Staverton Gloucestershire
22nd/23rd April Staffordshire Classic Bike Show
22nd/23rd April Charity Collection Castle Coombe Circuit
29th April / 1st May BSB Oulton Park

Keep a track on all our events and training this year

GO TO CALENDAR

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Mental Health Motorbike · 3A Heath Road · Heath · Chesterfield, Derbyshire S445RP · United Kingdom

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Mental Health Motorbike · 3A Heath Road · Heath · Chesterfield, Derbyshire S445RP · United Kingdom