LINKS | Llanelli Mental Health Charity, providing support and learning opportunities

What we do

Links is a Carmarthenshire based mental health charity, supporting adults with mental health needs and social issues to move on in their lives, in a creative, learning and confidence building environment. Over the past 25 years this has helped people improve their self-confidence, promoted the acquisition of skills and has enabled people to move on to access further mainstream services. Our service largely supports people within the town of Llanelli, but some come and are very welcome from further afield in Carmarthenshire.

Support

We offer flexible learning opportunities to promote and create positive mental health
We offer a warm and supportive environment where people can work in groups, on their own or at their own pace and level
We offer a range of learning opportunities, to develop new skills and to stimulate existing ones
We provide an outlet for creative expression
We can provide information and support to enable people to explore avenues into mainstream training and employment, both paid and unpaid

Our main aim is to support people living with mental health and to build their confidence and self esteem. If you would like to join Links you can self refer by contacting us, alternatively your GP can refer you or any other support network that you currently use.

Activities

Cooking

The purpose of the communal Cooking Session is to encourage each other to eat healthy and to demonstrate and share how easy and fun 'clean eating' is to prepare and to most importantly... eat! On Mondays, we cook meat, fish as well as vegetarian and vegan meals packed with fresh vegetables and we do desserts too. We always cook from scratch! The benefits of the ingredients are highlighted throughout each class to encourage all to cook again at home! Healthy eating = Healthy body and healthy mind.

“I love coming to cooking, I box it up and have it in front of the TV in the evening, sets me up for the week.” Cooking participant.

Computer Skills

A range of courses are being offered at Links in our ICT suite. Sessions are every Monday and Tuesday mornings. Courses are very popular offering a wide and varied range of courses, including computerised art, basic First Aid, Word Processing, Spreadsheets, computer basics, every day IT and much more. Courses are completed at the members own pace. Certificates are awarded to participants on successful completion of their course. Members who do not wish to enrol on a course can complete structured tasks based on, keyboard skills, mouse skills and getting used to the computer sessions.

Wellness

We do some activities to practice Mindfulness, relaxation and wellbeing here at Links, bringing our attention to the present moment. This could be a one-off mindfulness session, our weekly chair stretches, a meditation or just some relaxing music. All wellness sessions are in a comfortable, safe and relaxing setting.

Art

You can't go wrong in art! Making a mistake can sometimes become a turning point. In Links art sessions, we explore line, colour and tone. We use a wide range of mediums and sometimes unusual materials that lead members to exciting and innovative compositions. We just encourage you to have fun, explore and express. It's just as much about the process of creating art as it is the wonderful outcome. We even have exhibitions at different venues to display the outstanding creations made in art sessions.

“It is great to see members explore with different materials and resources, challenge that mindset of 'I am no good at Art' and just have fun.” Jess - Creative Enterprise Coordinator.

Textiles & Crafts

Informal sessions take place on Fridays. Members utilise these open sessions to work on individual work, or to finish off previous projects. We sometimes have one-off workshops with a guest visitor to help us create something special. Some members bring in their own projects from home to complete. We enjoy knitting, sewing, or crochet, other members are more interested in drawing and painting or other crafts. These sessions are a time where people can be creative, imaginative and socialise in a safe, welcoming space.

Ceramics

Ceramics sessions are held at Links where participants learn about the properties and methods of working with clay. The sessions are usually on a Thursday and suitable for beginners and those with experience of using clay too. We experiment with a range of materials such as porcelain, earthenware, stoneware, casting clay and lots more. We work on adding textures and glazes to the clay, making items such as keyrings, jewellery (beads, pendants), decorated 2D work and 3D sculptures.

Enamelling

Enamelling is using copper blanks and powdered glass in order to create artwork using a kiln. Members learn how to prepare the copper blanks by cleaning them with wire wool and then how to apply the layers of glass powder. The prepared items are placed into a special kiln on a wire tray in order to fire them and melt the glass powder onto the prepared copper blanks. Each piece is unique and one of a kind! These can then be made into a variety of things such as keyrings and jewellery items. A fantastic skill to learn and make your own.

Photography

Links photography group meets every Wednesday and Thursday. The group often visits interesting places in and around Llanelli and occasionally travelling further afield. Members learn all about cameras, angles and how to take that 'perfect' shot! Members are then supported in the ICT suite to work on the photographs using Photoshop - cropping, enhancing, colour correction etc. Some of the images are printed and shown in photographic exhibitions and events too.

“There is nothing more rewarding than seeing members progress and their enthusiasm for photography developing each week. Some of the shots taken in and outside sessions are truly spectacular.” Ross - Photography Tutor.

Natural Materials

Pyrography, willow weaving, flower pressing, clay work, gardening and nature based crafts are just a few of things done here at Links. We encourage lots of crafts using natural materials to make decorations, wooden animals, kitchen utensils, key rings, name plaques, house signs, bird boxes, baskets, mobiles, walking sticks, egg cups , wooden blanks and wooden beads. We are always looking at new ways to create, craft and learn using natural materials.

Outdoor Activities

At Links, we value the great outdoors and its wonderful benefits on wellbeing. Throughout the year, multiple events and trips take place. Some of the outdoor activities might include walking, gardening, fishing, art and photography walks, litter picking, dog walks, trips to further afield and cycling with the Links’ bikes. We now do a weekly wellbeing walk every Friday. Please keep an eye on the website news page and our Facebook for trip updates.

Music and Other Workshops

Previously, members took part in a set of workshops with ‘Tune into potential’. They created and recorded wonderful songs on CD that can be heard on the ‘Our News’ section. Other musical opportunities will be on the horizon as well as additional one off workshops and visitors. Keep an eye out for announcements on the Links website and Facebook page.

Figure Painting and Model Building

One of the classes we run every Tuesday is model building and figure painting. This is one of the classes that the Veterans love and enjoy. As well as learning a new skill, it helps to concentrate the mind leading to better mindfulness. The atmosphere of the class is very welcoming - a big family! Whether you want to build a tank, plane, train or a something completely different we have a large collection of models to choose from all donated by Models for Heroes. Come along and give it a try, you might surprise yourself.

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Supporting people experiencing mental health issues to build confidence, self esteem and skills