2025 Conference
- Isle of Man -
Manx Minds are delighted to be hosting another
Conference in the Isle of Man.
Calling all MHFAiders® from across the Island, as well as ANYONE with an interest in promoting positive mental health for all.
This conference gives delegates the ideal opportunity to learn and network together.
We hope you can join us! - Follow this link to buy your ticket.
At Manx Minds we work really hard to build a bank of local resources for our MHFAiders® to refer to and signpost people towards, long after the course is finished. We often hear the statements, "I'd never heard of that.", "I didn't know they did that!", "If only I'd known that was available."
We are passionate about getting as much information out as possible, about the many avenues of help which are actually available across the Island when people are struggling.
...and so the idea for this year's conference emerged -
"PUT THE 'E' IN ALGEE"
As you may know, the central component of MHFAider® training is the ALGEE action plan, an acronym that stands for:
Assess, Assist & Approach
Listen non-judgmentally
Give reassurance and information
Encourage appropriate professional help
Encourage other support strategies
The ALGEE action plan provides a memorable and practical framework for providing support, ensuring individuals are empowered to act with confidence and empathy.
The working title for the 2025 conference is, "PUT THE 'E' IN ALGEE" - focussing in particular on the last 'E', "Encouraging Other Support", which of course is often what all the vital 3rd sector charities and organisations we have on Island do.
Many charities and organisations on the IOM offer mental health/emotional/practical support across our community. This year our focus will be on them and the invaluable help they offer to individuals in so many ways and how they help MHFAiders® to, "PUT THE 'E' IN ALGEE"!
As well as the usual seminars, this year's conference will also include an interactive exhibition. This will highlight charities and organisations which do such fantastic work, for so many, across the Isle of Man, providing the help and support which truly puts the 'E' in ALGEE!
Over recent years many individuals across the Isle of Man have trained as Mental Health First Aiders®.
WHO is this event for?
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MHFAiders® who have been trained by Manx Minds
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Mental Health First Aiders trained by other organisations
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Anyone interested in finding out more about MHFA and Mental Health in general
The IDEA is to:
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provide MHFAers® on the IOM with peer support
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give an opportunity to network with other MHFAers® & share ideas
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to provide insightful speakers and seminars to aid in the continuing CPD of the MHFAiders®
Speakers:
In 2016, Diana met the then-Duchess of Cornwall during a visit to the London office of SafeLives. Queen Camilla has since credited the moment of hearing Diana’s story as the turning point which inspired her to raise awareness around domestic violence. The pair were reunited for an interview with Emma Barnett in 2022 for BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour.
In 2024 she was awarded a CBE in the King's New Years Honours List, which was presented by The Princess Royal at Windsor Castle, for Diana's services to vulnerable children suffering from domestic abuse and domestic homicide.
After collecting her CBE, Diana said: "With this honour, I vow to continue ensuring children who are impacted by domestic violence and domestic homicide are supported and protected under the Foundation set up in my daughter’s name." Recently, Diana was also very privileged to receive a, "Pride of Britain Award" for services to vulnerable children suffering from Domestic Abuse and Homicide. Diana is an inspiring, thought provoking and challenging speaker.
Sarah’s career began in developing organisational culture and customer experience within the financial services sector. She found a drive for considering diversity and wellbeing when developing the experiences of customers, members, and employees. She was appointed the Head of Diversity and Wellbeing at the Co-operative Banking Group for several years as a result of this passion, delivering award-winning thought leadership by improving the experiences of over 6 million members and twelve thousand employees.
Her work also meant she was involved in developing guidance and codes of practice as part of the Equality Act 2010, influencing laws around the provision of goods and services as well as the development of sector-specific guidance in applying the Mental Capacity Act in the provision of financial services to vulnerable adults.
Sarah has worked in Director roles leading on HR and HR consultancy, and recently graduated with a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Bradford. Her research and dissertation focused on employee mental health and wellbeing needs within the social enterprise sector.
Alongside her work at MHFA England®, she is also a Companion of the Chartered Management Institute, and acts as a Non-Executive Director at Social Enterprise UK.
As one of the MHFAiders® at MWT, Graham has a clear understanding of how interaction with the natural world can benefit wellbeing and mental health.
Exhibitors:
Additional exhibition participants to be announced soon!
Keep an eye on Manx Minds social media!
Diana Parkes CBE : Co-Founder of The Joanna Simpson Foundation
Diana Parkes has lived on the Isle of Man for over 50 years.
In 2014, alongside Hetti Barkworth Nanton (Joanna Simpson’s close friend), she co-founded the Joanna Simpson Foundation , following the brutal killing of Joanna Simpson, Diana's daughter, by her estranged husband, Robert Brown in 2010. Joanna’s killing took place one week before the finalisation of their divorce. Joanna’s body was found 5 days later buried in a pre-dug grave in Windsor Great Park. Despite evidence of considerable planning, Robert Brown was convicted of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility and sentenced to 26 years in prison. (ITV have made a compelling documentary about the murder of Joanna Simpson, which can be viewed via ITVX at the following link: "The British Airways Killer.")
Sarah McIntosh: CEO MHFA England & the Association of Mental Health First Aiders®
Sarah McIntosh's career is grounded in HR and wellbeing, and she has many years of experience working with membership organisations. From mutuals and social enterprises, to co-operatives and charities, social purpose has been key to the organisations that Sarah has worked for, with their profits reinvested to bring about positive social change.
Heather Melvin: is a Director of Rock2Recovery (R2R).
Rock2Recovery works with serving members of the armed forces, veterans of the armed forces, 999 communities and their families. Their mission is to save and change the lives of those in our Armed Forces, our Veteran Community, the Emergency Services and their families who are affected by stress. R2R's purpose is to inspire and coach towards a more positive future.
Graham Makepeace Warne: Head of Engagement/Deputy CEO - Manx Wildlife Trust
Graham moved to the Isle of Man to join MWT at the start of 2018 after a 20-year career in Manchester, culminating as Project Director for a prominent marketing agency. With a strong interest in wildlife and ecology, Graham has previously volunteered on conservation projects like the tracking and recording of wolves in Lower Saxony, Germany.
Graham looks after the charity's members as well as managing all the communications, marketing and PR.
