#KBY

Earlier this year I noticed a post that The Stable had put up on instagram about something they had created alongside their chosen charity, Dorset Mind, to help and encourage other to keep being themselves. I was excited to see two great Dorset businesses working alongside eachother to produce such a great thing and wanted in on the action. Why? Because mental health is so important especially now!

In the last few months it has been all over the news that a certain celebrity had gone to the darkest of places and ended up committing suicide, but what most of us don’t realise that in the UK along there will be 16 suicides a day, whether that be a struggling child, man or women. That is never broadcasted, never mentioned or spoken about. That is a lot of people who could have been helped, supported or just had someone to talk to. So many people nowadays struggle with mental health in one way of another and I bet one of those people is sat next to you while your reading this. The idea behind The Stable and Dorset Minds collaboration is to get people speaking, encourage to seek help and to support those you love.

Since seeing the photos of these amazing boxes going up over instagram, I’ve been fundraising for Dorset Mind, so here is me thinking I’m in for a shot of getting one of these bad boys. Funny enough the week commencing 24th February I got a message to ask if I was in the area on a specific day, only minutes later I saw a post which explained why. Both Dorset Mind and The Stable were doing a road trip from Bournemouth to Bridport and were looking for people to give their amazing boxes out to.

After few days of panic and anxiety the team dropped 12 boxes (yes, I was only expecting one!) to my place of work. Nothing like this normally happens to me, so I only told a handful of people before the day. It’s truely a honor to be be able to support both businesses through social media and through fundraising. Local, supportive and willing to help others out in our Dorset community.

Chosing who to hand my boxes out to came easy to start with but then seemed harder. I kept one for myself as I always need a pick me up from time to time. A few went to those I know who suffer with or who have suffered with mental health issues and the other got distributed around the office at work.

So who wants to find out more about the #KBY box and how it could help you, your someone you know?

So what is #KBY?
#KBY stands for Keep Being You and the box has a great array of items to help yourself, a friend, family member or colleague to talk.

What is inside?
1 x handmade candle
2 x Dorset Tea bags
1 x packet of Moores biscuits
A small deck of inspirstional quote cards
1 x certificate of box number and who made the box
1 x Dorset Mind pen
1 x 2020 desk calender

What Do I Like About the Box?
The #KBY box is about envouraging yourself or someone else to be nothing but themselves. I love the fact the Dorset Tea and Moores biscuits are inside, for that I need to sit with a cuppa and just take a bit of time moments. It has everyday items that I can use at work, but still remind myself I am me and nothing can change that. The candle has to be my favourite thing, it smells of lavender and is amazing after a long week just to put on and fill the room before going to sleep (I do make sure it’s s out before going to sleep). The cards are a great why to remind myself daily that being me is important, but I like to use them to encourage others around me too.

I have and still struggle with anxiety in different situations. I know others who have been to very dark places. I live with someone who suffers with bad panic attacks. Mental health is part of my everyday life even if it’s not me struggling with it.

I want you all to remember mental health isn’t always visible. Say hello to someone. Ask someone if they are ok. Be someones shoulder. Ask someone if they would like a cuppa. Send a friend an inspirational quote. Always check in on others. One massive thing though, don’t forget that even if it is you going through something you can still be there for someone else.

Keep Being You and lets show the rest of Dorset, England, the World, that mental illness is something not to be ashamed of!!