Bee Heard

Bee Heard is a mental health charity based in Coleraine, we are run by volunteers who have experienced mental health problems. We are open Tuesday/Wednesday and Thursday 11 am-4 pm. We run an art group on Tuesdays.

Who we are
We are an independent mental health support group based in Coleraine.

Mind Yourself
Bee Heard was created by Mind Yourself, Foyle Advocates, a charity based in Londonderry who saw a need for an independant peer advocacy mental health service in the Causeway area.
They are our parent charity who we can turn to for advice but there is full independence between the two of us.

Founding
Mind Yourself put on a training course on Mental Health Peer Advocacy for the initial eleven volunteers, all of whom had experience of mental health issues.
The course taught how to help people with a variety of mental illnesses, how the health care system works as well as the individuals rights.
We first opened our doors to the public on the 18th of November 2014, holding an open day to introduce people to our services.

OCDNI
Bee Heard has forged a link with a fellow charity OCDNI, where, on the 15th of October 2015, we held a drop in day to help raise awareness of OCD in the local area.

What we do
Volunteers offer a listening ear to people in times of need and can signpost them to relevant bodies.
It is unique in that it is run by people who themselves have had direct experience of using mental health services.

What is Peer Advocacy?
A Peer Advocate is someone who has personal mental health experience and can draw upon their experience and training to do so.
We provide a listening ear service on a drop in basis.
No appointments or referrals are necessary.
We can also help when it comes to talking to your GP about any mental heath issues.