ALICE CUNNINGHAM

Having personally experienced depression and anxiety, I embarked on a mission to reach out to others facing similar challenges. Through volunteering in my community I began offering a friendly and understanding ear to those in need. This initial step laid the foundation for the creation of Samford Health and Wellbeing Support, an online project supported by the Lions Club of Samford.

During my mental health journey, I encountered numerous challenges, but I discovered that volunteering helped me to overcome my inner demons. This experience gave me a sense of purpose to my life, and served as a distraction from negative thoughts but also contributed to my stress reduction and overall happiness.

While volunteering was a vital part of my journey, I also recognised it provided me the opportunity to share my experiences and inspire others who may be going through similar situations.

I found helping others through the various events I coordinated, a deeply rewarding and enriching experience that has positively impacted my life. It has been a powerful tool for maintaining my mental wellbeing.
In collaboration with Kim Garthwaite, we work to spread the understanding of mental health and jointly organise awareness events. These events aim to diminish the stigma surrounding mental health and provide practical resources for individuals in search of support.