Norfolk and Waveney Mind have been allocated funding by Norfolk County Council to provide a limited number of Mental Health focussed training places specifically to VCSE’s and SME’s across Norfolk. This funding forms part of a wider initiative to help organisations provide health and wellbeing support to their workforce.
As an MHF Aider you will be able to:
Recognise those that may be experiencing poor mental health and provide them with first-level support and early intervention
Encourage a person to identify and access sources of professional help and other supports
Practise active listening and empathy
Have a conversation with improved mental health literacy around language and stigma
Discuss the MHFAider role in depth, including boundaries and confidentiality
Norfolk and Waveney Mind have been allocated funding by Norfolk County Council to provide a limited number of Mental Health focussed training places specifically to VCSE’s and SME’s across Norfolk.
This funding forms part of a wider initiative to help organisations provide health and wellbeing support to their workforce.
As an MHF Aider you will be able to:
Recognise those that may be experiencing poor mental health and provide them with first-level support and early intervention
Encourage a person to identify and access sources of professional help and other supports
Practise active listening and empathy
Have a conversation with improved mental health literacy around language and stigma
Discuss the MHFAider role in depth, including boundaries and confidentiality
May is a powerful reminder that mental health matters—every day, for everyone. Mental Health Awareness Month in May 2026 offers an opportunity to pause, reflect, and take meaningful steps toward improving wellbeing, both individually and within our communities.
Why Mental Health Awareness Still Matters
Despite growing conversations around mental health, stigma and misunderstanding still exist. Many people continue to struggle in silence, unsure where to turn or worried about how they’ll be perceived. Awareness months like this help normalise these conversations, encouraging openness, education, and compassion. They remind us that mental health is just as important as physical health—and deserves the same level of care and attention.
A Time to Reflect and Reset
May is not just about awareness—it’s about action. It’s a chance to check in with yourself and ask honest questions: How am I really feeling? What do I need more of in my life? What might I need to let go of?
Taking even small steps—such as setting boundaries, prioritising rest, or reaching out for support—can have a lasting impact. Mental wellbeing isn’t built overnight; it’s shaped by consistent, intentional choices.
The Power of Connection
One of the most important messages of Mental Health Awareness Month is that no one should feel alone. Connection plays a vital role in protecting and improving mental health. Whether it’s a conversation with a friend, joining a support group, or attending a local wellbeing event, creating space for connection can reduce feelings of isolation and foster a sense of belonging.
For communities and organisations, this is a valuable time to host workshops, talks, and informal gatherings that encourage open dialogue. Even simple initiatives—like a coffee morning or a wellbeing walk—can make a meaningful difference.
Supporting Others
Awareness also means learning how to support those around us. Sometimes, it’s not about having the perfect advice—it’s about being present, listening without judgement, and showing empathy. Recognising the signs that someone may be struggling and gently encouraging them to seek support can be life-changing.
Small Habits, Big Impact
Looking after your mental health doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Simple, everyday practices can support emotional wellbeing, such as:
Getting outside for fresh air and movement
Taking breaks from screens and social media
Practising mindfulness or breathing exercises
Maintaining a routine that includes rest and nourishment
These small habits build resilience over time and help create a more balanced and grounded state of mind.
Moving Beyond May
While May shines a spotlight on mental health, the real goal is to carry this awareness forward throughout the year. Ongoing conversations, accessible support, and a culture of kindness and understanding are what truly create lasting change.
Mental Health Awareness Month 2026 is an invitation—to listen more closely, speak more openly, and care more deeply. Whether you’re focusing on your own wellbeing or supporting others, every step counts toward a healthier, more compassionate world.
You might know me in the Chambers from Kickstart Business Growth—and don’t worry, that’s still very much “alive and kicking.” But today, I’m shifting my focus in the Chambers to my biggest business passion: Stampede Press, a music pr/marketing and education agency.
Why Stampede Press?
When I was a teenager, my bedroom walls were plastered with band posters. I didn’t dream of being a “business strategist”; I just wanted to be on those posters. I wanted to be in a band.
Fast forward a few years, and thanks to the internet evolving in the early 2000s and the means to navigate it, my band Panic Cell actually did it. We toured the world, played to hundreds of thousands of people, and shared stages with the likes of Metallica. We hit number one on Scuzz TV and appeared on Kerrang! Radio 1 and MTV. Even Topshop stores featured us and local press profiled the band on billboards. By any creative standard, we’d “made it.”
But there was a massive reality check waiting for me.
While we achieved everything I’d dreamed of, I was completely underprepared for the sheer amount of work and the “strategy gaps” needed to keep the wheels turning. We were proof that you didn’t need a major label to hit the big stages, but you definitely needed business smarts, professional systems, and a loyal “customer base” of fans to survive and thrive.
That realisation is exactly why Stampede Press and Kickstart exist today.
Passion only gets you so far, the clarity is what keeps you there. While I am a bit of a “maverick”, at my core is an academic mindset with artistic smarts.
I’ve seen multiple times how data-driven systems can scale a company. I’ve worked with music artists that have a had a bonafide number one album, but historically hardly been paid and are now in a position where they actually make money from their music.
The same professional “logic” and data driven analytics used in the business world is exactly what’s missing for most musicians and artists today.
I’ve spent the last 14 years bridging that gap. Whether it’s through my time as an educator at WaterBear – The College Of Music and guest speaker at Nottingham Trent Uni, or working with the marketing experts at Indepreneur, I’ve seen what happens when you mix creativity with the right business tools.
How I can help you (or the creatives you know):
I’m here for the creatives who have potentially great ideas but need support with the business strategy and smarts to actually bring them to market.
My Music PR focus is specifically for Rock and Metal bands, but my processes for fanbase growth and merch sales apply to any genre or creative solopreneur. I use the “smart stuff”—like Meta Ads,email automation (Drip.com), and Shopify—to help bands stop “posting and praying” on social media and start building a career that actually pays the bills and scales.
We’re in a weird era where it’s never been easier to make music, but never harder to be heard. I’m here for the creatives who are ready to “roll up their sleeves” and work both hard and smart to turn their noise into a professional, sustainable runway.
Ultimately, I want to see Norfolk talent and venues thrive. I’ve been the guy on the poster and the guy booking the van—I know how hard it is to wear every hat, but I also know how to make it work.
If you’re a creative looking for some strategic clarity, or you just want to talk about the opportunities and challenges you’re facing, let’s grab a coffee:
The Government has confirmed that, from April 2026, two
significant reforms to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) are expected to come into
force.
If you’re
an employer, it’s important to understand what these changes mean in practice
not only for your employees, but also for your policies, budgets, and
compliance obligations. In this article, we’ll walk you through the key
changes, what they mean for your business, and how Stallard Kane’s HR team will
support you every step of the way.
What are the two key changes?
1. SSP
will be payable from Day 1 of sickness absence
Currently, employees are only
eligible to receive SSP from the fourth qualifying day of sickness absence; the
first three days are unpaid, unless the employee qualifies for enhanced sick
pay.
Under the new legislation, the
three-day waiting period will be removed, and SSP will become a ‘Day 1’
entitlement. This means it will be paid from the first qualifying day of
sickness absence (provided eligibility criteria are met).
2. The
Lower Earnings Limit will be removed
At present, an employee must earn
at least the Lower Earnings Limit (LEL), currently £123 per week (2025/26
rate), to qualify for SSP.
From
April 2026 this minimum earnings threshold will be abolished. This means that
all employees, regardless of how much they earn, will be eligible for SSP if
they meet the other qualifying conditions (such as being classed as an employee
and being off work due to illness for at least four consecutive calendar
days).
What do these changes mean for me as an employer?
These reforms represent a shift
in both cost and administration for employers. Here’s what to consider:
Increased sick pay liability: employers
will potentially pay more in SSP, as it will begin from Day 1 of absence
rather than Day 4
More employees will qualify: with the LEL
removed, even those working limited hours or on very low incomes who were
previously ineligible will now be entitled to SSP
Greater emphasis on absence management:
employers will need to ensure that absence reporting procedures are
robust, as accurate records will be crucial for compliance and payroll.
Prompt and clear recording of the start date of absence is essential to ensure
SSP is paid correctly from Day 1.
Possible impact on Enhanced Sick Pay
schemes: if you offer contractual sick pay, the interaction between
enhanced policies and the new SSP rules should be reviewed; policies may
need to be realigned to ensure they are not inadvertently overpaying or
duplicating entitlement
What should I do to prepare?
Although these changes aren’t due
until April 2026, early preparation is key. Here are the practical steps
employers should begin taking now:
Equip managers with the knowledge and
tools to handle SSP queries, report absences correctly, and understand the
updated entitlement criteria
Include absence management in your ongoing
compliance training
How will Stallard Kane support me?
At Stallard Kane, we know that
employment law updates can quickly become a burden for busy businesses. That’s
why our HR team is already preparing the tools, templates, and support you’ll
need to navigate the 2026 SSP reforms with confidence.
We’ll ensure your absence, sick
pay, and employee conduct policies are fully compliant with the new SSP rules
and tailored to your business context, leaving you free to focus on running
your business.
Click here to learn more about Everywhen’s
range of risk solutions
You are warmly invited to join us in celebrating the launch of the collaboration between Swaffham & District Mental Health Association and Ness M Care Services.
This event marks the beginning of a partnership aimed at strengthening community support and improving access to care and wellbeing services in Swaffham.
Swaffham & District Mental Health Association offers a social day care service for people living with social isolation and mental health problems, while Ness M Care Services is a nurse led company that provides specialised home-based care designed to give people the option to be cared for in the comfort of their own home. By combining expertise and resources, we aim to deliver more coordinated, responsive, and sustainable support in response to increasing community needs.
The celebration will be an opportunity to meet the teams involved, learn more about the services that will be offered through this partnership, and connect with others who are passionate about supporting the community.
Your presence would mean a great deal to us as we mark this important milestone together.
Thurs 9th April at 1pm: Virtual Networking with Mark White – Making LinkedIn the place you want to be.
Tues 21 Apr at 10.30am: In-Person Networking Cromer Pier Theatre Tour
Wed 13 May at 11am: Virtual Networking Business Clinic
Thurs 21 May at 6.30pm: In-person Networking and AGM with NARS – The George Hotel, Dereham
9th June at 12.30pm: Virtual Networking with Kate Anderson: Being Image Smart
Wed 17th June at 10am: In-person Networking Exclusive Behind the scenes tour with PSH Environmental
Thurs 07 Jul at 1pm: Virtual Business Clinic
Buy Local Norfolk is a dynamic social enterprise on a mission to shine a spotlight on the remarkable sustainability, diversity, and community champions that call this vibrant county home. Our members are the beating heart of Norfolk – local businesses that are driven by a shared vision for a brighter, more prosperous future for all who live, work, and play here.