News

Our Physical Initiative and Wellbeing Coach Terry Bates recently delivered a highly successful training course in Health, Wellbeing & Resilience Building to the Year 5 pupils at St. Bartholomew’s Primary School.

School is a fun and exciting time, but it is also full of countless challenges, setbacks, failures, and difficult situations. Just like adults, children have to deal with pressure, stress and challenges and still perform at school.

As children transition from Junior to High School, they need to start learning to listen to the teacher to improve and thrive.

This course was designed to develop awareness towards health and to build self-confidence and resilience to enable this.

The main aim of the programme was to build confidence and mental strength using a range of teaching and facilitating methods. Children’s Health can be affected by many situations and experiences. This course was aimed at developing confidence, a stronger mindset and self – awareness towards the many areas of an individual’s health and wellbeing. The aim was to build pupil resilience for improvement and prepare them to become the best version of themselves.

Our Chairman Andy Reid MBE also contributed to the course by delivering a brilliant introduction on dealing with adversity and Developing Mental Toughness.

Other topics covered over the duration of the course were:

• Our Holistic Health  –  Resilience and life effects
• Basic First Aid – Medical conditions,  dealing with situations.
• Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing – Self Confidence,  Working up the confidence scale
• Aiming High – Be the best version of you, Making decisions, positive outlook
• Team Building activities and problem solving

The course ended with the children being presented with a certificate of achievement by Terry and our Chairman Andy Reid MBE.

We are currently seeking funding in order to be able to roll this fantastic initiative out to more schools in St. Helens and the surrounding areas.

To discuss how we could work with your school, please contact:

Terry Bates 07799 033323

terry@standingtallfoundation.org.uk

We are ecstatic that Holland Alexander have proudly announced the Standing Tall Foundation as their Charity of the Year 2022.

After meeting Andy as a guest speaker at one of their live events in 2021, they were inspired by his story, how much he has achieved, and his mission to help others. They were delighted when Andy reached out to them to work with us on producing future events for the Foundation.

Ellen French, Digital Manager at Holland Alexander said; “It is an honour to work with Andy and his charitable foundation goals. After watching him present at one of our conferences in 2021, I was so inspired by his positive attitude and commitment to helping others. The Standing Tall Foundation values very much align with our own at Holland Alexander, so when Andy approached us to produce one of this charity’s upcoming events, we were totally inspired to take it one step better and make the Standing Tall Foundation our nominated charity for this year.”

Holland Alexander have been creating high-end events, production and audience campaigns since 2005. As well as an impressive International client portfolio, they also create fantastic digital events for awards ceremonies, unique packages and business conferencing.

 Andy Reid MBE said: “I first met Holland Alexander when I was booked as a speaker for a corporate event in Leeds. I arrived the night before the event and was met by Louise and fully briefed on next day’s plan even though it was clear Louise was extremely busy, she took the time to do that which I thought was very professional, and the next day the event was amazing and nothing was took much trouble. So when it came to planning my own event it was a no brainier to contact them. Myself and everyone at the Standing Tall foundation are delighted to have them as a foundation partner and very much look forward to working with them on future events.”

We are honoured to be named as their Charity of the Year and really looking forward to working with Louise, Ellen and their team to produce the upcoming Standing Tall Gala dinner/awards event in September 2022.

More details on how to get tickets and location will be available soon!

Here at the Foundation, we are always looking at new ways in which can offer help to those most in need. We have been fortunate enough to have been given access to a Thin Air machine, which our founder Andy, has been regularly using in preparation for his Kilimanjaro climb in October. 

The thin air machine delivers much lower concentrations of oxygen than people breath in normal air – similar to being at the top of a mountain.

Andy believes that depriving his body of oxygen has helped alleviate his symptoms of PTSD.  Other veterans found the same, giving rise to the question of whether more research should be done into breathing ‘thin air’ – as a potential therapy.

Further research is still underway as to whether the device can be used in a general sense, but with the benefits Andy has seen, we would like to offer the opportunity to any veterans who think they may be struggling with PTSD, depression and anxiety, to come in and have a chat with us.

You can read the full article from Forces.net and watch the video HERE

Last week we were privileged to be involved in the Veterans – A Journey into FM Event at Old Trafford, Manchester. This was a live networking event designed to support veterans in the Facilities Management Sector.

We were delighted to represent the Foundation and make more people aware of the services we offer and how we may be able to help them.

Andy was also the main key note speaker and shared his amazing story of strength, experience and hope with everyone.

It was great to see some old and new faces, and to forge some new valuable connections for the Foundation moving forward.

Thanks to everyone that came to see us and listen to Andy’s talk and thank you to our friends at JobOppO and This Week in FM for organising!

Here are some highlights from the day:

We are excited to announce that our “Walk for Wellness” project, with Willowbrook Hospice has launched.

Our first session took place on Thursday, and we kicked off with a beautiful walk around Taylor Park in St. Helens.

Led by our physical wellbeing coach Terry Bates, the walks are designed to allow you to escape from the everyday stresses of life and  dedicate some time to YOU.

These sessions allow you to walk and talk, therefore improving your mental wellbeing, as well as getting you fitter in the process!

WHEN?                Every Thursday

WHAT TIME?     1.30pm – 3pm

WHERE?              Willowbrook Wellbeing Centre, Borough Road, St. Helens, WA10 3RN

Please come and join us!

We are super excited to announce we will be hosting our very own Queen’s Jubilee Garden Party Extravaganza on Saturday 4^th June 2022.

This will be an all-day outdoor event with a Marquee for everyone to attend and join in the fun!

The day will include Face Painting, Bouncy Castle, Outdoor Games, Cadet Training, Hog Roast, Cake Stalls, Crafts, Entertainment and much much more! There will even be a fancy dress competition and exclusive show reel of the Queen’s speeches throughout the decades.

There will also be limited Exclusive VIP tickets available for £20 including afternoon tea & Entertainment from 11.30am- 1.30pm (more info to follow!)

All donations on the day go to The Standing Tall Foundation with proceeds from the Café and Hospice shop going to Willowbrook Hospice.

WHEN?               Saturday  4^th June, 10am – 6pm

WHERE?            Living Well Centre, Borough Road, St. Helen’s, WA10 3RN

COST?                  Free Entry to the public! All donations on the day will be greatly welcomed

Don’t miss out! Save the date in your diary now and more details will follow in due course.

We are excited to announce that The Progress Group have become the newest partner to join the Standing Tall Foundation Family.

The Progress Group pride themselves upon changing lives by innovating, influencing and inspiring others through the power of education and training. Via their group of subsidiaries, they aim to support thousands of individuals each year to achieve their goals.

Via their specialist training arm Complete Training Solutions, they offer a wide range of training solutions across many sectors, including the ever-expanding wind energy sector. The UK is currently on track to become carbon neutral by 2050, thanks to government investments helping to reduce emissions.  In particular, the wind energy sector in the UK and North West Europe is thriving more than ever before. This has led to some fantastic job opportunities becoming available across the wind industry.

Learn more about this exciting industry, the opportunities available and how you can become part of it HERE

BORN SURVIVOR IS NOT YOUR STANDARD CHARITY MUD RUN, FUN RUN OR OBSTACLE COURSE AND IT’S EASY TO SEE WHY!

We are super excited to announce that The Standing Tall Foundation and Willowbrook Hospice have partnered with this years’ Born Survivor to bring you a fundraising challenge like we’ve never offered before! This is a joint fundraising event meaning you can simultaneously raise money for two fantastic causes.

If you’re after a new physical challenge for you and your friends then look no further than Born Survivor, a charity fun run on Sat 7th May, set in the beautiful grounds of Capesthorne Hall, Macclesfield. Make no mistake, Born Survivor’s not your average mud run or obstacle fun day, this is the ultimate military obstacle course challenge!

Born Survivor courses are set using the natural terrain features with up to 30 epic military training inspired obstacle challenges. Join thousands of participants in the starting cage and prepare to run, climb, haul, leap, slide and crawl as you stampede round the 10km or 5km course.

If you dare take on this adventure you’ll need a stiff upper lip to conquer the challenge alone. We encourage teamwork and even if you don’t enter as a team we know you’ll assist your fellow Survivors in completing the course. But it’s not a race; it’s designed as a challenge for everyone over the age of 16 to tackle at their pace, whatever their ability.

WHERE?: Capesthorne Hall, Congleton Rd, Siddington, Macclesfield SK11 9JY

WHEN:   10am, Saturday 7th May 2022

HOW:      REGISTER NOW and be the best you can be!

Registration is £25. Minimum fundraising target of £125 per person.

What are you waiting for?!

VIEW THE VIDEO BELOW TO FIND OUT MORE!

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Nurture Training and Development is directed by Debbie Richards, who has 8 years of experience in training and development and is educated to master’s level, to assure you of quality standards.

Debbie said: “I decided to become a corporate partner of the Standing Tall Foundation as I feel very close to the values and principles of the Standing Tall Foundation in relation to supporting people who have experienced trauma resulting in mental health problems. Through own personal life experiences, resilience and education, mental health problems are better managed, and some overcome.”

Nurture Training and Development are a Northwest based training provider; that offers services nationally and have been established since August 2019. Offering a wide range of professional and industrial qualifications. You can learn more by visiting https://www.nurturetraining.org

Debbie commented further:

“I believe that through the right support, changes to thinking, recovery  and education, people can diversify to manage mental health problems, finding positive solutions and a better way of life. I am extremely proud to have this opportunity and I hope that whilst being a corporate partner of the Standing Tall Foundation; Nurture Training and Development can provide a holistic approach to change a group of peoples lives; then all that has worked for has been gained.”

Andy commented:

“We are delighted to have Nurture on board with us and we are already seeing the benefits as they are working with one of our volunteers to develop his forward opportunities, building on the support he has already received from my Foundation.”

We are ecstatic to announce that The Standing Tall Foundation in St Helens has been officially registered as a charity with the Charity Commission. This comes after many months of hard work and effort, not only into the application process, but more the invaluable work undertaken to help people in the community and surrounding areas, which has ultimately established the organisation as a credible and reputable registered charity.

The Standing Tall Foundation offers vital support to promote the physical and mental wellbeing of people, providing expert Counselling, Drug & Alcohol dependency Support Services and Physical Activity initiatives. In addition to this, the charity aims to help relieve poverty among the homeless or those in financial difficulty via the provision of grants, items and services for those individuals in need.

Founder of the organisation, Andy Reid MBE says:

“I’m delighted to announce that after nearly two years of helping the people of my town and beyond, my Foundation has been given Charity Status. We feel this news is a vindication of the hard work that myself and the Team have put in. Mental health and addiction illnesses are a blight on many people’s lives, and we are dedicated to helping as many people as possible to overcome this. We look to support individuals when they’re most in need and among those helped, it has been deeply meaningful to me to be able to help veterans and young people. These are of course close to my heart, as I see my lived experience in them.”

 The welcome news is a great start to the new year for the Standing Tall Foundation as it continues to grow, and as Andy states:

“Achieving charitable status affords anyone wishing to support what we do, the confidence in our integrity and the assurance that we are making a difference. As the Standing Tall Foundation, charity number: 1197446 we look forward to helping many more people in the years to come.”