Mikeysline seeks new chair for next phase of mental health charity’s development

A Scottish mental health support and suicide prevention charity is on the lookout for a new chair of its board of trustees to guide it through the next stage of its service development.

Mikeysline, headquartered in Inverness and supporting communities across the Highlands and Moray, has begun the search after current chair Donna Smith announced her intention to step down at the charity’s next AGM in June 2023.

Donna said: “My three years as chair of Mikeysline have been incredible, and I am so proud of what everyone has achieved during that time. We have faced enormous challenges during that time, and seen demand for services grow by 80%, so there is clearly still much to be done.

“As Mikeysline continues to grow and expand, I feel the charity would benefit from a chair with a different set of skills and expertise to help enable this transition. And although I am stepping down as chair, I look forward to still being closely involved with Mikeysline in the future.”

Interested parties should apply by February 13 – with handover in April and official appointment in June. Full role details are available at www.mikeysline.co.uk/get-involved/careers/.

Mikeysline CEO Emily Stokes commented: “Donna’s contribution to Mikeysline has been immeasurable, helping us navigate unprecedented times during the pandemic, cost of living crisis and other major events. Her dedication and commitment to our core values have proven incredibly valuable as we significantly increased our service offering over the last three years.

“Although we’re sad to see her step down as chair, she will always be part of the Mikeysline family – and we are excited to see what her successor will bring to the role.”

Mikeysline’s board of trustees is looking for a new chair with experience at senior leadership level in mental health or suicide prevention. Previous experience of working at a strategic level for the benefit of a charity or organisation will allow the ideal candidate to make their mark in this voluntary role for a charity that has grown significantly over its seven years.

In recent months, Mikeysline has introduced WhatsApp to its text-based mental health support services; offered new group peer-to-peer support sessions; partnered with secondary and primary schools to support young people in the community; launched corporate support packages; and increased capacity for one-to-one support by opening new Hive locations across the north of Scotland.

Speaking of the role, Donna said: “What Mikeysline has achieved in the last three years has been truly remarkable, and I am pleased to have been able to play a part in that along with our incredible staff and volunteers.”

During her time as chair, Donna’s focus was on providing support in schools to allow the charity to reach people in need at a young age. She also worked hard to expand the board, bringing in new outlooks and expertise, and using her skills as a business consultant to develop a management structure to take Mikeysline forward.

Donna continued: “Covid hit not long after I took up the role of chair, so many of the board’s plans to expand services and make the charity more robust were put on hold while we addressed the immediate need for support in our community.

“Seeing the work in schools take off over the past 18 months – and even be discussed in Holyrood – will have a major impact on young people in the north of Scotland for the rest of their lives. For that, I am incredibly proud.

“And I am now happy to report that the charity is stronger than ever – with visibility and awareness of our services at an all-time high. While it is sad to see a need for service use increase, the fact that more people are reaching out to get the support they need is definitely a positive.”

Since 2015, Mikeysline has offered confidential, non-judgemental support to people of all ages dealing with mental health issues, emotional distress or thoughts of suicide in the Highlands and Moray. It does this via a text line service at 07786 207755; WhatsApp at 01463 729000 and via its website; and live chat, Twitter and Messenger via its website.

The charity also produces a popular podcast, Speaking of Suicide; works closely with teachers and pupils in schools across the north of Scotland; and offers face-to-face support in four Hives across the region – at its Inverness headquarters, Tesco in Tain, The Place in Alness, and the Highland Yoga Collective in Nairn. Here, service users can engage in one-to-one support or join in group sessions.

For more information, visit www.mikeysline.co.uk – or find Mikeysline on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Mikeysline Official Charity of the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 2023

Grassroots mental health and suicide prevention charity Mikeysline is announced as the official charity partner of the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 2023. Mikeysline will be working with the festival to highlight their services to festivalgoers, artists, and others in the Belladrum community, and raise much-needed funds for their work to support as many people in crisis and in need of mental health support as possible across the Highlands and Moray.

The charity will maintain a high profile at the festival next summer to be on hand for attendees who would like to donate, get more information about Mikeysline, or take a break from the crowds and excitement to speak with support staff and volunteers who will be on the ground to assist.

Katie Melville, Fundraising Manager for Mikeysline said: “We are delighted to be the official charity of the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 2023. Belladrum is a cultural cornerstone event in the Highlands; music holds a unique power to create communities, share joy, inspire hope, and even save lives. What a perfect way for Mikeysline to reach people with our message: it’s ok not to be ok, we are here to help, and there is hope for everyone. The festival partnership is a vital opportunity for our growth as a charity to help us support more people across our part of the world as demand increases for Mikeysline’s services. I am pleased to confirm that we will have our trained volunteers in place at the festival for anyone who wants to talk or seek some support there and then or arrange to pop in to one of our Hives across the Highlands in the future. I am so excited to start organising events and activities in the build-up to the festival next summer.”

Emily Stokes, CEO of Mikeysline said “We are thrilled that Belladrum has asked Mikeysline to be their charity partner for the 2023 festival. The funds raised will help us to expand our face-to-face support, partnerships with businesses, clubs and with schools which will encourage both adults and young people to talk about mental health openly and break down the stigma associated with mental illness and suicide. It is also an important opportunity for us to get Mikeysline’s name out there to festivalgoers who may not have heard about us before- we are here to help everyone. And we hope the weather behaves, too!”

Dougie Brown, Belladrum Festival Event Producer, said: “We are delighted to have partnered with Mikeysline as our official 2023 Charity. The work they carry out across the Highlands is more important than ever. We hope that this partnership will not only help raise much-needed funds, but also raise awareness of the incredible work they carry out across the region.”

Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival will be held from Thursday 27th – Saturday 30th July 2023. Tickets go on sale on Monday 15th August 2022 and are available online at www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk.

Eastgate Centre Installs Mikeysline Poster for the Winter Season

On 21st November 2022 a new poster at Eastgate Centre for Mikeysline was installed to raise funds and awareness over the critical winter period for the charity. Eastgate Centre approached Mikeysline about the installation as a kind gesture and to maximise the use of their space, and the increased footfall over Christmas. During development with Acorn Signs, Acorn were keen to support Mikeysline as well and absorbed 50% of the manufacturing costs. The poster is at the entrance of the walkway to the bathrooms and access to Morrisons car park, between the NHS Vaccination Centre and Waterstones.

Mikeysline provides text-based support via a range of platforms during evenings and weekends for people across the Highlands and Moray struggling with their mental health. Or at risk of self-harm and suicide. The charity also provides appointment and drop-in one-to-one in-person support, as well as collaborating with schools and workforces to provide mental health awareness sessions and workshops.

 Quote from Jackie Cuddy, Manager of Eastgate Centre: “We are pleased to support Mikeysline with this poster to support them and raise awareness of their charity as they are heading into their busiest period through the winter. The Eastgate Centre is at the heart of our community and we try whenever possible to strengthen links with local worthwhile causes. It has been wonderful to see how Mikeysline has grown, and to be able to help them at a moment of greater demand for their vital mental health and suicide prevention services.”

 Quote from Katie Melville, Fundraising Manager: “We were delighted to be approached by the Eastgate Centre’s management team earlier this month with their offer of placing a poster in the gallery highlighting Mikeysline’s work and how to access our services. We are also touched that when the marketing team at Eastgate contacted Acorn Signs to create the poster, Acorn decided to provide a 50% discount on printing costs to support the project. During the winter months and especially in the approach to Christmas, many people struggle with their mental health as a result of the cold, darkness, financial pressures, and loneliness. Hopefully Eastgate patrons will see this poster and seek out support for themselves or others that might need it. As ever, we are here for anyone in the Highlands and Moray who want to talk, 365 days a year.”

Confusion around 988 mental health support line cleared up by UK charity Mikeysline

A new mental health support line is doing the rounds on social media, says mental health charity Mikeysline, but all is not as it seems.

The charity has seen a spike in people sharing the 988 mental health hotline on social media in the last week – however this number is only active in the USA, and not in the UK.

People struggling with their mental health or thoughts of suicide who dial the number in the UK are met with a message stating that the number is not recognised – which could have potentially dire consequences.

Emily Stokes, CEO of Mikeysline, said: “As we jump from crisis to crisis in the UK – from the pandemic to the rising cost of living – it is fantastic to see people sharing mental health support resources with people who are struggling.

“But it’s important to ensure that we are sharing appropriate advice and help. Someone reaching out for help at the most vulnerable time of their life could interpret an inactive phone line as a sign that help is not available – which is so far from the truth.

“Anyone in the UK can call the Samaritans on 116 123 if they are struggling – and services like Breathing Space offer evening and weekend phone support to anyone in Scotland.

“We know that not everyone feels able to talk about their issues out loud, which is why we have introduced text-based services through SMS, WhatsApp, Messenger, Twitter and web chat to support those in the north of Scotland who are suffering. And there are similar services available throughout the UK.

“The important thing for anyone who is struggling to remember is that it’s ok not to be ok. We are living through unprecedented times, faced with unimaginable challenges every day, so it is only natural to feel overwhelmed at times.

“Help is available for everyone that needs it, though. Whether you find it easier to talk on the phone or face-to-face or via text, you can reach someone that can listen and understand what you’re going through, and help you find a way forward.”

The charity has collated a list of phone lines and mental health support services that those in emotional distress can contact – alongside the text-based and face-to-face services it has provided for seven years in the north of Scotland. The list can be found at https://mikeyslineold.vhostevents.com/what-we-do/resources/.

Since 2015, Mikeysline has offered confidential, non-judgemental support to people of all ages dealing with mental health issues, emotional distress or thoughts of suicide in the Highlands and Moray. It does this via a text line service at 07786 207755; WhatsApp at 01463 729000 and via its website; and live chat, Twitter and Messenger via its website.

The charity also produces a popular podcast, Speaking of Suicide; works closely with teachers and pupils in schools across the north of Scotland; and offers face-to-face support in four Hives across the region – at its Inverness headquarters, Tesco in Tain, The Place in Alness, and the Highland Yoga Collective in Nairn. Here, service users can engage in one-to-one support or join in group sessions.

Mikeysline celebrates seven years of mental health support in north of Scotland

Staff at one of Scotland’s leading mental health and suicide prevention charities are reflecting on their achievements as the organisation celebrates its seventh anniversary.

Mikeysline has grown over the last seven years to become one of the country’s foremost grassroots mental health support services, supported by ambassadors including Hollywood star Karen Gillan, and footballing legends Steven Ferguson and John Robertson.

The anniversary comes as UK Charity Week (December 5-9) recognises the achievements of charities like Mikeysline up and down the country.

The award-winning charity provides face-to-face and text-based aid to people of all ages in the Highlands and Moray. Demand for Mikeysline’s services has increased by 80 per cent since the Covid pandemic and related lockdowns – with its team of text line volunteers increasing from eight in early 2020 to 35 today.

CEO Emily Stokes said: “Mikeysline was founded in 2015 in the wake of tragedy, when Martin Shaw and Michael Williamson sadly took their lives within 48 hours of each other.

“From our roots as a suicide prevention charity, we have worked over the past seven years to widen our services to offer support to anyone in emotional distress or struggling with the stresses of life.

“We are so proud of the hard work our volunteers, staff, fundraisers and supporters have provided over the years. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to reach as many people with the message that it’s ok not to be ok – and that help is there for those who need it.”

Mikeysline was the first mental health charity of its kind to offer text-based support. Initially offering this via SMS, over time this service has been expanded to include WhatsApp, live web chat, Twitter and Messenger support – giving service users as many routes to support as possible.

Emily continued: “Sometimes the hardest part of addressing an issue is to talk about it out loud, which is why our text-based services are so important. It allows people to communicate with us on their own terms, and gain the support and advice they need in a way that suits them and their situation.”

In recent years, Mikeysline has opened four Hives across the Highlands – named for the bee which has become synonymous with the charity – from which it provides face-to-face support in one-to-one and group sessions.

Through these sessions, Mikeysline can provide tailored support to key groups that are often lacking support – including parents of children suffering from ill mental health; men, who traditionally are less likely to talk through their problems; and business people struggling with the pressures of work.

The charity has also partnered with a number of primary and secondary schools across the north of Scotland to provide educational resources as well as in-school support to young people that need it.

Mikeysline founder Ron Williamson added: “When we started Mikeysline, there was very little support available out of hours in the Highlands for people struggling with their mental health. Now, seven years on, it’s fantastic to see such support from the community for the services Mikeysline provides.

“As demand for mental health support increases, that support is more vital than ever to allow our volunteers to continue to provide help and assistance to the most vulnerable people in our community.

“From engaging young people in schools to providing tailored support to business leaders, running support sessions for often-ignored groups to supporting those facing suicidal thoughts, Mikeysline is making a huge difference to so many people’s lives every day.”

In 2021, Mikeysline launched a podcast – Speaking of Suicide – which allows people to share their stories of mental health and loss, offering support and solidarity with others facing similar situations. To date, episodes have been downloaded over 13,300 times by listeners around the world.

Over the years, Mikeysline has been honoured with a number of awards to commemorate its efforts in reducing suicide and promoting positive mental health in the north of Scotland – including at the Highland Third Sector Interface Awards, Highland Business Women Awards, and the Highland Heroes Awards.

Emily said: “While we are incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the last seven years, the hard work isn’t over. Now more than ever we’re seeing that mental health support is needed in the Highlands and beyond, to support people through some of the most turbulent times in living memory.

“We’re dedicated to enacting positive change in our communities, supporting people through times when they are struggling and empowering them to access the resources, advice and a friendly ear to unburden themselves.

“So as much as we are looking back on the years since we began, we also have our eyes firmly set on the future.”

The Scottish Highlander Photo Archive (SHPA) marks one year since the publication of their photobook Vintage Vehicles in Inverness and the Highlands with a donation to Mikeysline.

The printing costs were generously donated by car sales company Dicksons of Inverness, of 28-34 Carsegate Road, Inverness, with the agreement that any surplus profits would be donated to local grassroots mental health charity Mikeysline. A donation of £500 was made earlier this week, following a year of sales of the book which is available at Dicksons’ showroom, and in the Victorian Market Sweet Shop.

To mark the sale of the book, and the donation, Mikeysline staff CEO Emily Stokes and Fundraising Manager Katie Melville joined Dicksons Director of Sales Jim Mackenzie and Adrian Harvey of the SHPA for a photograph at the showroom. Dicksons of Inverness donated the “Mikeyslinemobile” Kia Rio at the beginning of 2022, and since it hit the road Mikeysline have been able to reach 3000 more people for support, information sessions, and workshops and collaborations in schools and businesses right across the Highlands and Moray. Only due to the generosity of Dicksons has Mikeysline been able to develop their network, from Caithness to the Isle of Skye to Elgin, and beyond.

This generous support from the SHPA and Dicksons of Inverness to Mikeysline was particularly appropriate given the longstanding support Dicksons has provided for the charity, but also because the photobook was populated using prints collected from the Andrew Paterson Studio which operated in the heart of Inverness from 1895 – 1980, and which has since become Mikeysline’s Hive and headquarters at 19 Academy Street, Inverness.

Mikeysline provides text-based support via a range of platforms during evenings and weekends for people across the Highlands and Moray struggling with their mental health. Or at risk of self-harm and suicide. The charity also provides appointment and drop-in one-to-one in-person support, as well as collaborating with schools and workforces to provide mental health awareness sessions and workshops.

Emily Stokes, Chief Executive Officer of Mikeysline, said: “We knew that having a dedicated car within the charity would be a game changer in enabling us to expand our offer of support and services further and we are so grateful for the support from Dicksons in enabling us to affordably reach more distant locations from our main base in Inverness, whilst increase our visibility due to our car’s branding. It is amazing to be able to reflect on the additional number of people reached since w received the car earlier this year. We are also so grateful for the support from Adrian Harvey and Dicksons in helping to promote Mikeysline and raise funds through the photobook Vintage Vehicles In Inverness and the Highlands, which is made all the more special through our joint connection with SHPA through our Inverness Hive at 19 Academy Street.”

Adrian Harvey of the Scottish Highlander Photo Archive, said: “SHPA were very pleased when Dicksons came forward to collaborate with us and cover the publishing costs of our book which was published a year ago. The agreement to donate surplus profits to Mikeysline was also ideal for us, as the Andrew Paterson Studio operated for 85 years until 1980 in what is now Mikeysline’s Hive. The book’s forward was written by Jim Mackenzie of Dicksons, and is available at Dicksons’ showroom and in the Sweet Shop in the Victorian Market for sale. Our work is also available to view on scottishhighlanderphotoarchive.co.uk, and on Facebook where we have 4 dedicated pages.”

Jim Mackenzie, Director of Sales for Dicksons of Inverness, said: “I was approached by Mikey’s uncle Ron Williamson nearly 7 years ago to help him as he set up Mikeysline. I’ve been keen to involve Dicksons and find ways and means to support such an important cause ever since, and we were delighted to present them with the car at the start of this year, which I’m pleased has been a game-changer for their growth. Adrian and I know each other through Teclan, the marketing agency who provide Dicksons’ website support, and we were delighted to offer to fund the publication of the SHPA’s book in exchange for a Mikeysline donation. We sell the book in our showroom and it is a great conversation piece with clients.”