Happy New Year 2025

MAIN’s New Year Resolutions Guide

MAIN’s New Year Self care Resolutions Guide

New Year self-care resolutions

New years can be a great time to think about what you want to do in the next year. However, it can be overwhelming when there is so much focus on what you should be achieving. Sometimes the best new years resolutions are based around looking after ourselves and feeling our best.

Here are some ideas for a new years resolution to focus on feeling your best, instead of achievements:

· Learn to be kind to yourself when you have to take a break.

 

· Take some time each day to go outside and get fresh air.

 

· Practice asking for help when you need it.

 

· Make sure to bring a comfort item with you everywhere, that you can use when you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed.

 

· Spend time every week on a special interest or something that brings you joy

 

· Start writing a journal of positive things that you have done, however small, so you can look back and be proud of yourself.

 

· Practice mindful strategies when you are feeling stressed.

 

· Plan some time to rest each day, whatever that means to you.

 

We had our older groups try out this activity and we got some brilliant self-care resolutions

Aged 36 ‘ Try new foods (e.g. Ramen), be more active and save up for a staycation’

Aged 25 ‘ Be more healthy’

Aged 14 ‘Be more active and be more good mentally’

 Aged 19- ‘Pass my Level 3 in Animal Management 

Aged 21- ‘Be able to graduate from University. Keep up my collecting. Walk to family whenever possible as much as possible. Try not to panic when forced with uncontrollable situations’.

 Aged 18 – ‘I would like to either make progress on or completely finish : Improving my Maths and English significantly, Expanding my palette and trying new foods and finishing Minecraft FNAF world.’

Aged 15 ‘ Going to college and making music’


 

Image with green heart in caring hand saying here to help

January 2025 -Mental Health Bookable 1:1 Sessions

Here to Help

MAIN are working in collaboration with St John of God to offer workshops to promote understanding of self and learning strategies.

MAIN will be delivering some sessions in January, you can book a 30 minute- one hour slot 

3rd January- 10am-2pm

10th January- 10am-12

13th January- 12:30-2:30pm

15th January 1pm-2pm

20th January 10am-12

22nd January 1pm-3pm

All sessions are suitable for anyone aged 14+ years.

Location: MAIN, The Finlay Cooper Centre, Elizabeth Terrace, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, TS3 6EN

We can provide alternative dates and times, along with telephone or video call sessions. Please just get in touch.

You can access more information, resources and support here


Please contact us if you would like more information and to book on

Sharing is Caring: Highlighting Local Support with Unite Club

Sharing is Caring: Highlighting Unite Club’s Sensory Shuttle Bus

At MAIN, we believe in sharing valuable resources that can benefit our community. Today, we’re excited to highlight a fantastic service provided by Unite Limited: the Sensory Shuttle Bus. This innovative service is designed to support anyone who needs a little extra help, making it easier for everyone to enjoy family trips and outings.

What is the Sensory Shuttle Bus?

The Sensory Shuttle Bus is a specially equipped vehicle that caters to individuals with sensory needs. Whether it’s a calming environment, sensory-friendly activities, or just a comfortable space to relax, this shuttle bus has it all. It’s perfect for family trips, school outings, or any group event where inclusivity is a priority.

Why Choose the Sensory Shuttle Bus?

  • Inclusive Environment: The shuttle bus is designed to be a safe and welcoming space for everyone.
  • Family-Friendly: Unite Limited offers trips that the whole family can enjoy, ensuring that no one is left out.
  • Customizable Experience: The bus can be hired for various events, tailored to meet the specific needs of your group.

How to Book

Booking the Sensory Shuttle Bus is easy. Simply contact Unite Limited to discuss your needs and schedule your trip. They are dedicated to making sure your experience is as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

A Note from MAIN

While MAIN is sharing information about this service, please note that we are not affiliated with Unite Limited. We’re simply excited to spread the word about their new initiative and the positive impact it can have on our community.

For more details, please see the leaflet below or visit Unite Club’s website.

Unite Club flyer

 


If you need more information please visit their website 

Sharing is Caring: Highlighting Local Support with Comet’s Football Group

Sharing is Caring: Highlighting Local Support with Comet’s Football Group

At MAIN, we believe that sharing is caring. We strive to create a useful website that highlights support available in the local community. While MAIN is not affiliated with this group, we are excited to share information about Comet’s, a local football group dedicated to inclusivity.

Comet’s is a fantastic resource for families looking for inclusive sports opportunities for their children. The individuals who run this service are passionate about creating a welcoming environment where every child can participate and enjoy the game.

We encourage you to reach out to the team at Comet’s to learn more about their programs and see if it’s a good fit for your child. Supporting local initiatives like Comet’s is a wonderful way to foster community spirit and provide valuable opportunities for our children.

Thank you for being part of our community and for supporting local groups that make a difference.

Welcome to Comets,
Comets is a safe space, for 5-11yr olds, to be able to start to learn to love football.  We offer an all-inclusive space, where anyone, with any disability at all, can come and play in a non-pressured, non-judgemental environment, have fun and play in their own way. Sessions are on a Saturday Morning, 10-11am, in the Sports Hall at Nunthorpe Academy, starting on the 11th January 2025.”

Andy
U15’s Team Coach
Club Inclusivity Officer
Club Player Registrations Officer
comet's poster

If you need more information please contact Andy

Thumbnail with poster for event

MAIN’s Open Day – How it went

MAIN’s Pre-Launch Event: A Sneak Peek into Our Services

We were thrilled to welcome many professionals, parents, and carers to our recent pre-launch event at MAIN. It was a wonderful opportunity to explain all about our services and give everyone a sneak peek ahead of our official launch.

The event was a great success, with attendees getting a first hand look at what our Charity does. It was heart warming to see so many people come together to learn about our mission and the support we offer. The day was also a fantastic opportunity for networking, allowing everyone to connect and share their experiences.

We are grateful to everyone who attended and made the event so special. Your presence and interest in our work mean the world to us.

Please enjoy some photos from the day:

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you at our official launch!


 

Picture of Wayne

Celebrating Wayne’s Internship at MAIN

Appreciating Wayne’s Art Therapy Internship at MAIN

 

We are delighted to express our heartfelt appreciation for Wayne, who is currently completing his art therapy internship with us at MAIN. Wayne has been an incredible asset to our Adult group sessions, seamlessly integrating with our clients and helping them create some truly wonderful art pieces.

Wayne’s dedication and support have not gone unnoticed. His ability to connect with our clients and foster a creative and therapeutic environment has been invaluable. The art pieces created under his guidance are a testament to his talent and commitment.

We would like to extend a huge thank you to Wayne for his hard work and the positive impact he has made during his internship. His contributions have enriched our sessions and brought joy to our clients.

I am currently a Master’s student in Fine Arts at Teesside University. I am originally from Myanmar (Burma), and my full name is Wai Yan Min Thant, though I go by Wayne for simplicity. I am 26 years old and have always been passionate about the arts, especially painting and creative expression.
Volunteering at MAIN was an opportunity I eagerly embraced because of my interest in using art as a way to help and connect with others. As a Fine Artist, I have always viewed art as a powerful tool for communication and self-expression. Working at MAIN has allowed me to explore this idea further by engaging directly with children and adults who are neurodivergent or have learning disabilities. I wanted to contribute my skills to an organization that supports these individuals and fosters inclusion and wellbeing.
From this experience, I have gained so much. It has enhanced my understanding of art therapy, improved my communication and collaboration skills, and given me a deeper appreciation of the challenges and strengths of the people I have worked with. This experience has also been invaluable for my Master’s studies, as it has expanded my creative practice and helped me see how art can be used in a therapeutic and supportive context.
Thank you again for the opportunity to volunteer and for all the support I’ve received at MAIN. If you need any more details or further information, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Best regards,
Wayne

Thank you, Wayne, for your dedication and support. We are grateful to have you as part of the MAIN family and look forward to seeing all the amazing things you will achieve in your future career.


If you are interested in volunteering at MAIN please get in touch by emailing us or calling on 01642 608012

art work made by clients with Sanjoys support

Celebrating Sanjoy’s Internship at MAIN

Celebrating Sanjoy’s Internship at MAIN

We are thrilled to share that Sanjoy has successfully completed his university internship with us at MAIN. Throughout his time here, Sanjoy has been an absolute joy to work with, bringing enthusiasm, dedication, and a fresh perspective to our team.

Sanjoy has kindly written a summary of his experience at MAIN, which we are excited to share with you all. His reflections highlight the growth and learning he has achieved during his internship, and we couldn’t be prouder of his accomplishments.

Sanjoy’s Experience at MAIN:

My experience at MAIN
Sanjoy Bikash Das
M.A. Fine Art (Teesside University)

Everyone has precious moments and experiences in different circumstances. I have some with
MAIN what I learned through Teesside University. I had an opportunity to do my university M.A.
Fine Art (advanced practice) external internship at MAIN. I was excited when I got the offer to do
Art Therapy for Autism. I hadn’t prior experience with that however I dare to take on new
challenges in different roles. I worked with MAIN in two phases. First I did my university
placement and second I did Voluntary work.

My journey started with MAIN in September 2023 and worked with them till April 2024. I spent
rst day to get to know each other and making working plan. I worked with different age groups
including adults. Therefore, I make my plan accordingly based on age groups. I never felt lack of art
supplies which made me more condent. Two things are essential for art sessions. One is art
materials and the second one is sitting arrangement. MAIN has a well well-equipped and proper
environment which I didn’t expect. They are so well organised which is reected in their prior
monthly plan. My colleagues were very helpful in understanding attendees and settling down in the
art sessions. I didn’t keep my involvement only for art sessions; I also tried to be involved in
different activities with attendees and make them comfortable with me and Art. They were sharing
their ideas and tried to portray what they felt. I used different mediums and methods to understand
the objects, enhancing their interest. Moreover, attendees tried to put their unique ideas based on
their interest which is surprised to me. I got many attendees who has truly creative sense of art.
Which boosted my interest and I learned how to deal with them.

I had teaching experience which really helped me to understand children and their sociology but in
special education, I put more passion and compassion which is a very important win that I felt.
During this period, I tried to learn about autism and get to know more details about that. My M.A.
nal presentation had one part about ability that I inspired from my placement. I believe that
everyone has a good potential to do anything but needs the proper care and guidance that MAIN
provides for young people and children. I believe these experiences make me more condent to
explore for my future carrier based on Autism.

We would like to extend a huge thank you to Sanjoy for all his hard work and contributions. His positive attitude and commitment have made a significant impact, and we are confident he will continue to excel in his future endeavours.

Thank you, Sanjoy, for being a part of the MAIN family. We wish you all the best in your future career!


If you are interested in volunteering at MAIN please get in touch by emailing us or calling on 01642 608012

main event poster

Join us for our Grand Opening

Join us for our Grand Opening

Join Us for the Grand Opening of the Pathway to Independence Centre!

We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of our Pathway to Independence Centre on 14th February 2025. This special day marks a significant milestone in our journey, and we would love for you to be a part of it.

We warmly invite all families, clients, professionals, and supporters to join us in celebrating this momentous occasion. The event will feature inspiring speeches, delightful refreshments, and a ceremonial ribbon cutting.

Event Details:

  • Date: 14th February 2025
  • Time: 10am
  • Location: MAIN, The Finlay Cooper Centre, Elizabeth Terrace, North Ormesby, TS3 6EN

Come and be a part of this wonderful celebration. Your presence will make the day even more special as we embark on this new chapter together.

We look forward to seeing you there!

main event poster


Please email to book on at mainadminsupport@iammain.org.uk

Cash for kids logo

Heartfelt Thank You to Cash for Kids

Heartfelt Thank You to Cash for Kids

Introduction

Today, we had the incredible opportunity to visit the Cash for Kids headquarters and pick up a wonderful collection of toys, arts and crafts supplies, and books. These generous donations will be put to great use by our clients in clubs and on PA. We are deeply grateful for the support and wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt thanks.

The Visit to Cash for Kids Headquarters

Our visit to the Cash for Kids headquarters was a truly memorable experience. The warm welcome we received and the overwhelming generosity displayed by the team left us in awe. The collection of toys, arts and crafts supplies, and books will bring joy and creativity to so many children and families we support.

The Impact of Your Generosity

Thanks to the donations from Cash for Kids, our clients will have access to new and exciting resources. These items will not only provide entertainment but also foster creativity, learning, and development. The arts and crafts supplies will inspire creativity, the books will open up new worlds of imagination, and the toys will bring countless smiles.

A Special Thank You

We want to extend a special thank you to everyone at Cash for Kids who made this possible. Your dedication to helping children and families is truly inspiring. Your support makes a significant difference in the lives of those we serve, and we are incredibly grateful for your kindness and generosity.

Looking Forward

As we move forward, we are excited to see the positive impact these donations will have on our community. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Cash for Kids and working together to support even more children and families in need.

Conclusion

Once again, thank you, Cash for Kids, for your unwavering support. Your generosity is making a real difference, and we are honored to have you as a partner in our mission. Together, we are creating brighter futures for the children and families we serve.

PHOTOS OF THE TOYS IN THE WAREHOUSE WE PICKED UP


 

Merry Christmas image

Thank You to Our Amazing Community

Thank You to Our Amazing Community

As we approach the end of the year, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been part of our journey. To our dedicated staff, incredible volunteers, valued clients, supportive families, and esteemed professionals – thank you for your unwavering commitment and hard work.

We are also deeply grateful to all our supporters and those who have helped fundraise for MAIN this year. Your generosity and efforts have made a significant impact.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!