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Arnold Clark Community Fund
A massive thank you to the Arnold Clark Community Fund. This funding will support our recruitment of new Volunteers and support our work 
#ArnoldClarkCommunityFund
#peersupport #mentalhealthmatters #VolunteerArmy #thankyou #walkandtalk #wellbeing #physical #mental #beinspired #beyourbestself #yesyoucan
Red Balloons gains Charitable Status
Exciting News!!!
Red Balloons are delighted to announce that we have been granted Charitable Status by the Charity Commission.
2021 is proving to be an exciting time for us and we’re very proud to have gone from an online blog in 2017 to a fully fledged Charity by the middle of 2021. This is testament to the hard work of our founder, Claire, who has worked tirelessly to support people struggling with their mental health. Claire was joined by Volunteers and Trustees in 2019 and, with their support, the organisation has gone from strength to strength. We’ve embraced the challenges of the Pandemic and ensured that we continued to offer services throughout the last year. We’re looking forward to continuing our journey, building our team, working alongside other organisations and above all, continuing to support people facing difficult times and ill mental health in the community.
#physical #mental #wellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #YesYouCan #BeInspired #BeYourGreatest
National Lottery Community Fund
We're over the moon to announce that Red Balloons has been successful in securing funding via the National Lottery Community Fund to set up and run our Community Wellbeing Ambassadors Project across Tees Valley. This funding will allow us to recruit, train and support Volunteers to become Ambassadors in their communities – organising and running Walk and Talk Sessions and Run and Rant Sessions and supporting people with their mental and physical health. We will ensure that Volunteers receive relevant training and have 100% support and that the project offers them valuable personal development opportunities. The project will also build capacity in the organisation allowing us to support many more people to improve their mental and physical health while giving them someone who will listen and do their best to support.
We'd like to send a massive thank you to the National Lottery Community Fund for believing in us, supporting us and giving us the opportunity to work towards realising our vision and mission. We'd also like to thank National Lottery players without whom this funding wouldn't be available.
For further information on Volunteering Opportunities, referrals, partnership working, support available – please contact Leigh via email – redballoons.volunteers@gmail.com
#physical #mental #wellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #YesYouCan #BeInspired #BeYourGreatest
Marathon in May
We're just into April but do you have plans for May? Not sure? Fancy a Marathon? Yes
Come and join us for the Red Balloons Marathon in May
Walk or Run a minimum of 26.2 miles
Do it throughout the Month or all in one go
Entry + Medal £15
Entry + Tshirt & Medal £25
Raise some money for us in the process*
If you'd like more information or to enter please message us directly for details for entry payment 
*Let us know if you'd like the sponsorship link when you enter
Go Go Go 
#yesyoucan #physical #mental #wellbeing #mentalhealthmatters #beyourbestself #beinspired #alwaysheretohelp #marathoninmay
*** BIG NEWS! - Saturday 27th February ***
*** BIG NEWS! - Saturday 27th February ***
Well, here it is! We couldn't wait any longer! Our amazing news!!
A HUGE Thank You to Mark Plumb , and House Masters for supporting us, and the fantastic Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind, and helping raise funds, but most importantly, mental health awareness!!
Get your dancing shoes on, and help us celebrate Red Balloons 3rd Birthday in style!!!
Click on the link below to put it in your diary!
#HouseMasters #12hourStream #Fundraising #HappyBirthdayRedBalloons #physical #mental #wellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #YesYouCan #BeInspired
February Fitness Challenge
*** BIG NEWS! - Saturday 27th February ***
WE HAVE A NEW CHALLENGE
Wondering what to do now #RedJanuary is coming to an end? Wanting to find something to motivate you through February?
Not wanting something too strenuous or time consuming? Well, we have the answer!
Join Red Balloons "Fitness February" Walk Challenge!
The concept is simple. Set yourself a goal for the month of February. Whether it be 5 miles or 500 miles. Get your walking shoes on, and GO!
ALL participants who sign up will get a certificate of participation to display proudly! If you hit your distance goal, you get an extra special distance personalised certificate!
Walking is an overlooked and under utilised form of exercise, that can be done as part of your every day life!
Watch out of the sign up link being added below very soon...
#FitnessFebruary #WalkChallenge #HowFarCanYouGo #InThisTogether #WalkThisWay #physical #mental #wellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #YesYouCan #BeInspired #BeYourBestSelf
Christmas Card Appeal
🎄#ShoutOutSaturday 🎄
As a small, unfunded organisation, we rely heavily on the amazing generousity of our community to grow and develop.
With this in mind, we want to ask our members, and the wider public, a small favour. Ditch the Christmas cards, and donate the small cost to Red Balloons!
Cheeky arent we?
All donations will go towards to the recruitment and training for our volunteers, to be able to expand our services and reach more people who could benefit from what we offer!
If you would like to donate, please pop us a message for the link 🎈
#ChristmasCardAppeal #Donate #physical #mental #wellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #YesYouCan #BeInspired
🎈🎈 FUNDRAISER OF THE MONTH - OCTOBER 🎈🎈
20 hours!!!! 20 miles!!!! On the hour, every hour!!! On Saturday 10th October, beginning at 4am, the amazing Lisa will be running 1 mile every hour for 20 hours.
"This is my opportunity to appreciate the positives from this year like my increased fitness and an appreciation for our local mental health services who are always there when we have struggled at some point over the last few months! I'm doing this in aid of such a charity that has massively helped me with getting my head into running and using fitness as a tool to aid mental health. They offer multiple services all tailored to your needs and can be reached in person and online at various locations around Teesside and way beyond.
Please, PLEASE show us your love and support and donate what you can."
🎈🎈 Phil's GNR Reimagined 🎈🎈
🎈🎈 FUNDRAISER OF THE MONTH - AUGUST🎈🎈
Following on from Michael's truly amazing achievement in August, this month sees our own team member, Phil, tackle the the Great North Run Reimagined on Sunday 13th September.
“On Sunday 13th September, I should have been running my third Great North Run but, like every other major race this year, the current pandemic has put pay to that plan. This was particularly a blow as I’d intended to run this year’s race in aid of Red Balloons.
Many of you who know me, know by now, about my involvement with Red Balloons and what that involvement means to me personally. When, in December 2019, I joined Claire and her amazing team of volunteers, it very quickly became a big part of my life, it’s an organisation I’m immensely proud to play a part in and a cause I’m incredibly passionate about.
So, when Great Run introduced the concept of a Virtual Great North Run - the idea of running a half marathon anywhere in the world, but all setting off at the same time on the morning of Sunday 13th September, it felt only right that I took the opportunity to do just that and raise money for Red Balloons as originally planned.
Now here comes the hard part (well for me anyway), had I been running the actual Great North Run, and had it been on the back of a summer of other races, I’d be in a very different place, running wise, than I am currently…or to put that another way, I would have done a damn sight more training.
So, on Sunday 13th September, it won’t be pretty, it won’t be fast and it will probably be painful but I will drag myself round the 13.1 miles regardless because it will be in aid of a cause that is close to my heart and hope that you can support me and Red Balloons in some small way. Thank you Phil”
🎈🎈 FUNDRAISER OF THE MONTH - AUGUST🎈🎈
🎈🎈 FUNDRAISER OF THE MONTH - AUGUST🎈🎈
We want to introduce you all to this fabulous gentleman - Michael. He has chose to set his own fundraising challenge, 4 4 48, to raise £500 for us! Check out his story below:
"December 2017 I found a group called Red January, after suffering a horrible breakdown, alongside many years of suffering with both depression and anxiety. Through this group on Facebook I met some fabulous people who over the following months gave support and were also available any time for a chat, message or just to listen.One of those was Claire; mad, nutty but incredible, with some fabulous ideas. One was to start this amazing charity, Red Balloons.For me it might be something which is a million miles away but seems like it is just around the corner, they are always open for a chat, message and anything else. They have helped more so when I was at my lowest then anywhere around me. The regular virtual "Run & Rants" and "Walk & Talks" are fabulous and at some stage I will definitely be joining in, in person, not just virtually.With all the hard work Claire and the amazing Red Balloons team put in, I just have to somehow give something back, so the plan is to run 4 miles every 4 hours in 48 hours, an approximate total of 48 miles, starting at 18:00 on Friday 28/08/2020 until 14:00 on the 30/08/2020. I would like to raise £500 for this fabulous cause. A million thanks to Claire and all you wonderful people that do so much.
Much love and hugs Michael"
Good Luck Michael, and Thank You
For anyone who would like to donate, please see the link below.
#FundraiseroftheMonth #fundraising #4448 #challenge #physical #mental #wellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #YesYouCan #BeInspired
Claire on Positivi-Tea
A few weeks back, Claire was interviewed by the lovely Alex, for her YouTube channel - Positivi-Tea!
The link is now live if you would like to pop over with a brew, and see what they had to say about staying positive during lockdown!
#Positivitea #youtube #interview #lockdown #positivity #physical #mental #wellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #YesYouCan #BeInspired
Claire on ITV News
See our very own Claire talking to ITV news about the weekly #ClapForCarers
We think it is a great way to boost your mood, improve social interaction SAFELY within our community and increases our sense of being part of something. Something important and supportive. #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #BeKind
Claire chats with Louise from Take Heart (@takeheartxo)
Catch takeheartxo Louise's chat with Claire last week. What an absolutely lovely lady who made it so easy to talk! Massive thank you for helping spread the word!#JoinTheConversation #CuppaAndChat #physical #mental #wellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #YesYouCan #BeInspired
🎈🎈🎈BIG ANNOUNCEMENT REVEALED🎈🎈🎈
🎈🎈🎈BIG ANNOUNCEMENT REVEALED🎈🎈🎈
We have successfully been chosen as KP Snack's Charity of the Year!
We are incredibly proud to finally share our amazing news! Thank you to all our members for being so patient. We know we love to tease! This is a fantastic opportunity for Red Balloons, and going forward we can see big things on the horizon! More services, more partnerships but most importantly, the ability to help and support more people. A massive Thank You to all at KP Snacks for choosing us. We can see this being a year to remember! #CharityOfTheYear #KPSnacks #Partnership #WorkingTogether #community #physical #mental #wellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #YesYouCan #BeInspired
🎈🎈🎈BIG ANNOUNCEMENT REVEALED🎈🎈🎈
STARTING THURSDAY 27TH FEBRUARY - 5:45PM - OUTDOOR GYM, KIORA HALL GROUNDSWe are really looking forward to working alongside Big Local Roseworth and helping get the lovely residents of Roseworth happier and healthier!Community spirit is huge and we are proud to be a part of it 🎈#CommunitySpirit #BigLocalRoseworth #partnership #WalkNTalk #physical #mental #wellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #YesYouCan #BeInspiredSTARTING SATURDAY 29TH FEBRUARY - 10:30AM - OUTDOOR GYM, KIORA HALL GROUNDSOur Brand New Roseworth Run & Rant launches!Ideal for beginners and returners to fitness, we don't focus on speed or distance. We just want you to take part, have fun and enjoy the encouragement and support!#RoseworthBigLocal #RunNRant #physical #mental #wellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #YesYouCan #BeInspired #ShoutOutSaturday getting a sweet deal.
🎈 RED BALLOONS IS 2 YEARS OLD 🎈
On 20th February two years ago Claire hosted the very first Red Balloons Peer Support group, at St Bede's Catholic Academy, Stockton.
She wanted to provide a safe place, where people could talk as well as gain information and encouragement on improving and maintaining their physical AND mental health.
Fast forward to present day, and we are now a recognised organisation that offers support to our members through a variety of different services, with a team of amazing volunteers and big plans for the future.
We want to say the biggest THANK YOU to everyone who has helped us get this far. It means everything.
If you would like to gift us, a cheeky review would mean the world! ❤🎈 #shybairnsgetnowt
#HappyBirthday #RedBalloons #physical #mental #wellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #YesYouCan #BeInspired #ThankYou
Roseworth Big Local Development Worker Claire, Roseworth Big Local Chair Karen and Claire from Red Balloons had a really productive meeting this morning planning out the new Roseworth Running group and Walking group.
Running group will start Saturday 29th February, 10:30am - 11:30am
Walk and talk group will start Thursday 27th February 5:45pm - 6:45pm
More information will be coming soon - thanks to all residents who sent us messages with suggestions about days/times - it was really helpful!
#residentled #physical #mental #wellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #YesYouCan #BeInspired
A lot has happened for Red Balloons in the last year and it seems like a bit of a whirlwind really. Definitely in a good way.
The thing that humbles us (and yes sometimes we shed a tear or two) is when people want to support us either with time or to raise money for us. The fact that other people believe in us and support our mission just blows us away.
So a massive Red Balloons THANK YOU goes to Just Williams Ltd for choosing us as their Charity Partner alongside The Girls' Network
The Team have laced up their trainers and hiking boots in October and are running and walking 500 miles to raise funds for us. We'll be checking in regularly to see how the miles are adding up and to offer some encouragement.
Thank you to everyone taking part. From the bottom of our hearts🎈
https://www.justwilliamsltd.co.uk/physical #mental #wellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #YesYouCan #BeInspired #BeYourGreatest
Past Campaigns & Initiatives
Red Balloons Radio - The Shows
Listen back to Claire’s Red Balloons Radio Shows on Radio Stockton here
#IAmEnough
As part of our content for Mental Health Awareness week in May 2020, we launched out #IAmEnough campaign. If you'd like to check our gallery from this initiative, click here.
#MHAW #BeKind #Kindness #DailyTheme #physical #mental #wellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #YesYouCan #IAmEnough #BeInspired
#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek2020
This years theme was BE KIND!
If you missed any of our Mental Health Awareness Week coverage including our quotes and songs of the day, our live sessions or Claire's appearance on ITV Tyne Tees then you can catch up here.
Let us all #SpreadKindnessLikeConfetti ❤
#MHAW #BeKind #Kindness #DailyTheme #physical #mental #wellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #YesYouCan #BeInspired
#RedJanuary Heart Drop
Did you find our for hearts of encouragement around Teesside, and further afield. A little symbol of hope, a sign to those that might need it, that you are never alone. Someone is always listening.
If you spot a heart, share your pics with us, and put it in a new location! Let’s see how far we can get these hearts to spread! Check out our gallery here!
For your own hearts to drop, check out Take Heart on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or check out them out here!
January is over, so time to take on February!
How do you like the sound of a challenge that will get you active, increase your fitness and support Red Balloons at the same time?
#FitnessFebruary challenges you to do some activity every day of the month. Anything at all - walking, running, dancing, gym, swimming, hiking etc, do 10 minutes a day or 3 hours a day - it's up to you.
If you can, for each activity put £1 away to support Red Balloons' work and help us to expand our services. We will support you every step of the way and you'll have access to a private FB group for you to log your progress and support each other.
Go on, you can do it. #YesYouCan!
#challenge #community #physical #mental #wellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #BeInspired
#VirtualRun #RedBalloons2020
To provide evidence to Red Balloons, please email us (red.3.balloons@gmail.com) OR direct message us with link to your activity and/or with photo proof, by 14th January 2020 to ensure you receive your medal. If you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Emails will be popping into your inboxes too, so make sure you favourite our address! #NewYear #VirtualRun #RedBalloons2020 #WallofMotivation #physical #mental #wellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #BeInspired #YesYouCan
#DecemberSelfCareChallenge
Tis the season to be jolly, and for many it is.
However, it can also be an incredibly hard to make time to look after you!
We have decided to launch our very own December Self Care Challenge
Every day we will be posting a winter themed self care idea!
Claire's Playlists
Click the image to enjoy Claire's playlist from one of her Red Balloons Shows
Click the image to enjoy Claire's playlist from one of her Red Balloons Shows
Click the image to enjoy Claire's playlist from one of her Red Balloons Shows
Click the image to enjoy Claire's playlist from one of her Red Balloons Shows
Click the image to enjoy Claire's playlist from one of her Red Balloons Shows
Click the image to enjoy Claire's playlist from one of her Red Balloons Shows
Quote of the Week
