BLOG: Mental Health Awareness Week at Oakleaf

11 May BLOG: Mental Health Awareness Week at Oakleaf

The Power of Community: Mental Health Awareness Week at Oakleaf 

What does community mean to you? 
For many, it’s a place of belonging, support, and connection. For us at Oakleaf, it’s the very foundation of our work. This Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re celebrating the power of community and the incredible impact it has on mental health. 

Mental Health Awareness Week: 12th–18th May 2025 

This week is a time to come together, raise awareness, and champion positive change in mental health — and this year’s theme, “Community,” couldn’t be closer to our hearts. 

Why Community Matters 

Community is at the core of everything we do. It’s not just about the groups we run or the events we host — it’s the everyday acts of kindness, connection, and shared understanding that create a safe, supportive space for people to be themselves. 

Whether it’s chatting over coffee, joining a creative session, or simply showing up and being seen, we see every day how community transforms lives. 

“Attending Oakleaf has been a life-saver. Without it I wouldn’t leave my home at all. The Oakleaf staff are amazing, supportive and make you feel that you do matter.” 

Being part of a community offers more than just companionship — it creates belonging, builds confidence, and reminds us that we are not alone. 

“Oakleaf has proved to be a real lifeline for me, helping me through difficult times, and knowing someone on the team is there to offer help when I need it is a great comfort.” 

Introducing Our Community Chain Video 

To celebrate this year’s theme, we’ve created something special: 

Our Community Chain Video — featuring clients, staff and volunteers sharing what community means to them. It’s a powerful visual of how every person plays a part in something bigger, and how support can come from the most unexpected places. 

One client shares, “I feel most supported when my struggles and difficulties are acknowledged and validated.” 

We support our clients through a wide range of activities — from gardening to walking groups, art workshops to wellbeing trips — all designed to foster connection and bring our community to life. 

“The activities offered make me feel wanted, respected and good about myself without being judged or belittled.” 
“I thoroughly enjoy all the activities and workshops I attend, which are so helpful in boosting my confidence and giving me opportunities to try new things.” 

Even small moments of connection can spark transformation. 

“I have only attended one online class so far as I am very new to Oakleaf, but I have found all staff to be very welcoming and helpful. I would not have believed how much of a difference attending the group has made to my confidence and self-esteem.” 

Shared experiences are powerful, and our clients remind us that being around others with similar struggles brings reassurance, comfort, and new ways of coping. 

“When attending Oakleaf, I feel safe to just be ‘me’ with no judgements or criticism. I get a lot of comfort knowing that the other clients have similar issues to myself. I also find that by doing the groups and talking amongst everyone, I sometimes get new awareness around handling some of my issues.” 

Community also means breaking the stigma, being seen, and being heard. 

“I would thoroughly recommend Oakleaf to anyone who is suffering from mental health difficulties. For many years it would just be tablets and visits to the doctors. Thanks very much — it’s so invaluable and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made in recent years!” 
“Thank you so much for everything. Every town should have an Oakleaf. Society would be a lot happier and healthier if it did.” 

How You Can Get Involved 

• Donate 

• Attend or help out at one of our events 

• Volunteer your time or skills 

• Refer someone who might benefit from support 

• Or simply drop in and say hello — everyone is welcome! 

To find out more about Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 and how you can get involved, click here. 

If you would like to find out more about becoming a client at Oakleaf or join in with any of our wellbeing activities, work-related training, employment support, counselling or volunteering opportunities, please click here. 

Oakleaf is dedicated to fostering connection and creating inclusive spaces where people feel safe, seen and supported. Donations help us continue this vital work — from creative workshops to peer support groups — ensuring no one has to face their mental health journey alone.  

If you would like to make a donation, please click here. 

£30 could fund one counselling session at Oakleaf – supporting someone in crisis while helping train the next generation of counsellors. To find out more about becoming a counselling sponsor, please click here. 

If you or someone you know is struggling, please make use of the resources below: 

• Oakleaf: 01483 303649 | info@oakleaf-enterprise.org 

• Samaritans: 116 123 (24 hours) 

• SABP Crisis Helpline: 0800 915 4644 

• Citizens Advice: 03444 111 444 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm) 

• Guildford Safe Haven: 6–11pm, 365 days a year 

Oakleaf is dedicated to fostering connection and creating inclusive spaces where people feel safe, seen and supported. Donations help us continue this vital work — from running creative workshops to providing peer support groups — ensuring no one has to face their mental health journey alone.

Author: Enya Galway