News

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.”

The Standing Tall Foundation is delighted to announce the latest addition to their Foundation Partner stable:

Aesseal are a specialist in the design and manufacture of mechanical seals and support systems. Their Mechanical Seals are used in a wide range of pumps and rotating equipment worldwide to prevent liquids and gases escaping into the environment. They manufacture mechanical seal types to suit all industries and their investment in modular design means that we provide the best on-time delivery performance in the industry.

The STF has been humbled to receive a substantial donation from Aesseal which has been made following the MD Chris Rea, hearing Andy Reid MBE speak at recent awards ceremony in Manchester.

Darren Jones, a former Royal Engineer, and AESSEAL employee commented:

‘As ambassadors of the Armed Forces Covenant, and as part of our enduring support to the veteran community, AESSEAL is absolutely delighted to be able to support the Standing Tall Foundation. As an organisation that actively employs veterans, AESSEAL recognises the value that serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business and our community, and we are privileged to support the charitable aims of William Andrew Reid MBE’

Chris Rea Managing Director of AESSEAL said:

“AESSEAL design, produce and install environmental solutions globally. The business pursues excellence and is focused on reliability, which is ultimately the avoidance of waste. Following an informal audit by former RSM Darren Jones, we are delighted to support the Standing Tall Foundation as we believe that the vast majority of our donation will go to those most in need of support.”

Andy Reid MBE Chairman of the Standing Tall Foundation said:

“This is unbelievable support from Aesseal, I cant thank them enough. This money means we can help more people in need. It is also further testament for my Foundation of the impact we are having, when a company the stature of Aesseal are prepared to back us with such a large amount of money.”

John F Tabern CEO of the Standing Tall Foundation commented:

“Donations such as this are a huge lift to organisations such as ours. It enables us to plan how we move forward into the future with the confidence to help more people.” 

The Standing Tall Foundation is delighted to announce the launch of ‘Standing Tall For All.’ The group meetings will take place at the STF Hub on Borough Rd and will be open to all who feel the need to talk. A male group and female group have been established to ensure comfort and confidence.

Andy Reid MBE said: ‘The Foundation is here to support the people of St Helens and this is further evidence, during Mental Health Awareness Week, of our commitment to do that. We have set up these new groups to provide help and support right where its needed, in the community.’

Each group will offer an open forum to discuss matters and employ proven methodology to deal with a range of dependency issues. The groups will also be supported with professional mental health counsellors who will also be available for one to one sessions should that be required.

If you feel you would benefit from attending ‘Standing Tall For All’ come along in complete confidence to the STF Hub on:

Male sessions will start on Thursday 27th May 2021 @ 7pm

Female sessions will start on Wednesday 2nd June 2021 @ 7pm

STF HUB, Living Well Building, Borough Rd, St Helens, WA10 3RN

If you wish to contact us in advance email in complete confidence: info@standingtallfoundation.org.uk