Mark's Chair For Hope

04/11/2025

Look around you and ask people if they’re alright…. Not once, twice, but several times. Take time to love the people around. There is no shame in admitting mental health struggles- we’re only human at the end of the day ❤️ xx

Former professional footballer and mental health champion Clarke Carlisle shared a very crucial message during half-time of the Burnley v Arsenal match at Turf Moor:

"It's Mental Health Month. Have a look around you, they say that men don't talk. You've all been together for three hours, what have you been talking about, rubbish? I dunno, but let's use our time and talk about something meaningful.

"Look, you're all stood next to each other, you got 15 minutes to spend, tell them about what's going. And more importantly, if someone shares some of it with you, do you know what to do with that, are you gonna listen or are you going to say oh don't worry about it? Maybe we'll win the game, maybe we will have a pint. Listen to the person next to you!

"We've seen Ricky Hatton pass sadly this year, we've seen Matt Beard who worked so hard on our women's team here at this football club. These are men who we can help, we could help and that person might be stood next to you today.

"Reach out, speak, love each other like you love me, let's do this!"

A truly powerful message from a hero. 👏👏👏

23/10/2025

I attended a re-launch event for Inspire this week. Things are starting to change in terms of the way they work- more holistic assessment and support- closer links with mental health services and other local agencies recognising that it is never a “chicken and egg situation” and people rarely have a single problem that takes them to drugs and alcohol and to the depths of despair. Substances are used for lots of different reasons, often self-medication for psychological problems- this requires more understanding and less judgment. They have also launched a confidential helpline for anyone worried about drugs and alcohol/ to make those difficult first steps (see below poster)
We have high rates of drug related deaths in this area, so hopefully some of these changes in working/initiatives are a step in the right direction. ❤️ xx

22/10/2025

Another Fantastic Initiative in this ongoing cause for concern in Burnley, Thankyou to all involved - Let’s be able to have conversations about mental health in everyday life. Less clinical, more human 🌻 ❤️

These bright and colourful benches are designed to spark conversations about mental health.

10/10/2025

mental health day 🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵Today, I’m reminded how important it is to look out for ourselves and for one another.

Six years ago this month , we lost Mark Chapman to su***de. His passing left deep heartbreak and a reminder of how precious — and fragile — life can be.

Reach out. Check in. Speak up. You never know whose life you might touch.

💙 Hold On, Pain Ends # no more empty chairs

24/09/2025

If you think someone might be suicidal, take action, interrupt their thoughts and show them you care.

Every 90 minutes, someone in the UK or Ireland dies by su***de and 1 in 4 of us has had suicidal thoughts

If you think someone might be suicidal, take action, interrupt their thoughts and show them you care. There’s no quick fix but in that moment, you could save their life.

• Start a conversation
It can be as simple as saying hello or asking a question. Try not to worry about saying the wrong thing.

• Ask how they are feeling
Don’t be afraid to ask if they’re having suicidal thoughts, it gives them permission to tell you how they really feel.

• Be there for them in the moment
If you’re worried about someone, stay with them and let them know you are there for them.

• Listen without judgement
Give them a safe space to express how they feel. Try not to jump in with advice or opinions

For more tips and information please visit https://www.samaritans.org

14/09/2025

H ...O....P...E hold on pain ends a little video that one of our pendle hill supporters sent me (jonnie) let's work together to stop su***de 🩵 Support after su***de and stop those empty chairs

12/09/2025

31/08/2025

💙🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵💙🩵🩵🩵🩵💙🩵🩵🩵🩵💙

25/08/2025

Join us this Sunday - Climbing Pendle Hill for Hope.

We’re quite a distance from our fundraising target at the moment - Please share and donate if you can. Read the project mission, don’t skip it!! You’ll then understand why this is so important 🌻❤️ xx

Uniting Burnley to strengthen mental health support and prevent more empty chairs.

11/08/2025

Powerful message and so heartbreakingly true 💔🩵

104.2K likes, 1458 comments. “⚠️TW: Su***de. This poem is hard to hear. But it’s harder to live without the people we lose. If you’re struggling—stay. There’s more life waiting for you than you think. “The Morning After You Take Your Life” Inspired by the poets before me 🤍 ...