Crowdfunder launched to help launch new men’s mental health hub in Liverpool

A new Crowdfunder has been set up to create a men’s mental health hub in Kirkdale, North Liverpool.

#EndTheStigma is a project that aims to offer early intervention and support in order to combat the rise in mental health issues, addiction and suicide amongst males in the Liverpool region.

The hub will be based below Inner Guru, a wellbeing centre and CIC located at Efik House on Walton Road. The concept of Lewis Powell (Founder of Inner Guru), Jay Wheeler (Mental Health Nurse & Founder of Don’t Walk In Silence), Kev Deaves (The Mind Shaman) and Paul Garrigan (Founder of PACT Mantality), it will provide men of all ages support and activities to improve mental health and avoid potential crisis.

The centre will offer males support, advice, counselling, alcohol and drugs support groups, holistic therapies, workshops, courses, walks, coffee mornings, podcasts, sport and activities in order to improve mental health. The idea is to offer early intervention and ongoing human support to empower men and help prevent a wide variety of mental health problems, addictions and suicide.

Lewis Powell

Lewis Powell, Founder of Inner Guru said:

“It’s no secret that mental health problems, addictions and suicide rates amongst males is a growing issue — potentially even more so following the pandemic. Issues such as lack of purpose in life, isolation, family problems, relationship problems, loss of income, the pressure to provide and fear have become even more prevalent during the last 12 months.”

He continued: “When you look at the stats for mental health problems, addictions and suicides amongst males, notably in the Merseyside region, the need to tackle these issues is vital — even more so in the current climate. We want to offer early intervention and somewhere that men of all ages and backgrounds can come for support. There’ll be many different services and activities to promote mental health and wellbeing before it’s too late.

With the NHS underfunded and overstretched due to the pandemic and government failings, mental health waiting lists can often be months. The project aims to create a centre that bridges the gap and provides ongoing support to males in Merseyside via a number of different methods.”

The Crowdfunder is looking to raise funds to cover: the premises’ rent deposit and six months’ initial rent; building work such as partition walls, showers and redecorating; labour; furniture and equipment such as gym equipment, cold water therapy barrels and computers; and the marketing of the project.

Lewis Powell said: “Our team behind the project has years of experience helping and supporting people in the community. The project will have a range of things on offer including holistic therapies, counselling, coffee mornings, support groups, water therapy, a gym, workshops, programmes, podcasts and more. The hub will be available for other practitioners to hire the space too.”

#EndTheStigma will run alongside the existing community hub and CIC, Inner Guru, that has already done great things to assist many people in the region during the past 12 months. Inner Guru has been featured by The Mirror On Sunday, BBC Radio Merseyside, The Liverpool Echo and many other media outlets due to its great reputation for promoting the physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing of local people.

The project aims to raise £34,000 and anyone who donates £20 to the Crowdfunder qualifies for a reward. Each £20 donation receives 10% off any Inner Guru treatment and entry into a raffle to win prizes such as LFC stadium tours, one week meal prep at Inigo Greens, one month free pass at Inner Guru, holistic therapies, reiki and meditation courses, mental health first aid courses and more.

Summarizing, Lewis Powell said: “There’s no question that mental health issues, addiction and suicide is on the increase so if our project can help even just one person we’ve potentially saved someone’s life. We want to truly end the stigma and let men know there’s support here for them. There’ll be lots of fundraising coming up such as our cold water dip challenge and three peaks challenge, but anyone who can donate to our Crowdfunder will be helping massively.”

To donate to the Crowdfunder and for the rewards and raffle entry, click here.