Back in May, Christina Taylor discovered a different side to London by climbing up and over the roof of one of the world’s most popular entertainment venues, the iconic O2 building, raising an INCREDIBLE £507 for the Northamptonshire Changing Minds IAPT service.
Christina wanted to do something to give back to this vital service, which helped her through a really tough and dark time when she was struggling with her mental health during the pandemic.
Christina Taylor (centre), raised £507 for Changing Minds IAPT climbing the O2 in London with her two sisters.
IAPT stands for Improving Access to Psychological Therapies, a programme which under Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, offers Talking Therapies to people across the county who are trying to get back on track when they are feeling stressed, low or anxious.
You can actually refer yourself to the service without a referral from your GP.
Christina, who completed the climb up the O2 with her two sisters, Karen and Kimberley said:
There were times where I thought there was no way back from the way I was feeling.
To a point that I thought all these emotions and thoughts were normal.
I shut myself away for a long time but I am nearly out the other side.
With the help of my family, good friends and changing minds I can now start to see a way forward for myself.
This experience has changed me in so many ways and I would like to help others that could be going through the same things.
To let them know that it’s okay to feel this way, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
We are braver than we think and sometimes just talking or reaching out to someone can change people’s lives.”Christina presented the £507 she raised to, Jess Moss who supported her through the Changing Minds IAPT programme.
It was lovely to meet Christina a few months ago when she came to present the £507 she raised for the service, to Jess Moss who actually supported her through the IAPT.
Naturally, it was an emotional moment for Christina to finally meet Jess in person, who has played such a huge part in her recovery but via the remote ways elements of this kind of support can work, via telephone.
This money will help to make a big difference to the team in terms of additional resources they can purchase to help them both spread the word about IAPT and support many more people in the community who are experiencing mental health difficulties.
We can’t wait to share updates about what they can achieve, all thanks to Christina kindly fundraising to give something back following her own experiences.
We would like to send a very special thank you to Christina and to everyone who made a donation.
If you would like to take on a challenge or hold an event to give something back to a ward, department or service across one of the local NHS Trusts that we support please get in touch.