Alice Hewson

By Alice Hewson (pictured), Author of Neurodiversity In The Workplace Exploring employee wellbeing has been, in recent years, a topic of conversation in many workplaces, from offering wellbeing ‘incentives in job adverts, to looking at policies, investing in mental health first aiders and encouraging colleagues to talk about mental health at work.

A café that is ran by volunteers from the church and local community provides hot meals and the opportunity to meet new people for those hardest hit by austerity in Byker, Newcastle. The Cross Café based at St Michaels Church in Byker is open three days a week, providing healthy meals for families in the local area. The café was set up by vicar Phil Medley, who wanted to create a space to bring the community together.

A moving film, On the Edge, depicting an interaction between two strangers on a cliff edge is due to be shown at Sunderland Shorts Film Festival on the 5th May 2017. A suicide prevention workshop, organised in collaboration with Time To Change will also take place alongside the showing of the film. The film is directed by Martin Freeth, and portrays the power that listening and engaging in conversation can have when supporting someone during some of their most darkest moments.