Devon Diamond: Sarah-Lou Glover
Our 25th Devon Diamond is Sarah-Lou Glover, who supports parents and caregivers who are helping people with mental health needs...
"Hi, I’m Sarah-Lou Glover. I live in the Market Town of Honiton with my family and our incredibly fun-loving Sproodle, Charlie. I enjoy my daily dog walks, playing the piano, socialising with my friends and dancing like no-one is watching!
"I set up a peer support group called the Parent+ Support Hub in 2019 for parents/caregivers that are supporting the mental health of their children/family/friends/colleagues. During the pandemic we developed our services further by offering on-line weekly support, which has developed into a diverse range of support services. I founded Parental Minds C.I.C in 2020 and we now support 140 families/week either virtually, with text or phone support, face to face meetings, all of which can be offered 1:1 or as a group.
"We have physical support hubs and meeting rooms in both Honiton and Sidmouth, which are spaces donated by local businesses and organisations. When you step into a hub, you can never be too sure who is seeking support and who is offering support, we all support each other on an equal footing.
"Parental Minds develop our own support guides and workshops, which are a collaboration of family lived experience with professional input.
"We have worked with Coventry University and have developed an online support programme for parents supporting children who are using self-harm to tolerate their distress. We have been invited to feedback on services within CAMHS and are currently part of a taskforce looking at their new crisis pathway for youngsters. Giving parents/caregivers an opportunity to share their journey offers a chance for them to feel truly ‘heard’.
"We also run a mental health network in East Devon so that we can share ideas locally, better work together and understand the strengths of the mental health offer here and within existing networks across Devon. Devon Communities Trust is an integral part of these networks and have supported us to establish on-going, meaningful conversations with other organisations and offers of training that we wouldn’t have been aware of without their expertise and knowledge of Devon Communities."
Why I love Devon
"We moved to Devon from the South East over 20 years ago and we have never looked back. We were welcomed with open arms and have since established an amazing ‘village’ around us and our family. Having taught baby signing for the first 17 years and now supporting families, I feel part of this vibrant community and have a wonderful sense of belonging, whilst being able to enjoy the coastal towns and the rolling hills. I couldn’t think of a better place to be."
Thanks for being a Devon Diamond, Sarah-Lou, and for all your amazing work!
NOMINATE YOUR DEVON DIAMONDS
Each week during our 60th anniversary year (until March 2022) we will be sharing a story, profile or memory from one or more of our 'Devon Diamonds'. Devon Communities Together's Devon Diamonds are people who have played a part in our story since 1961. They could be ex (or current!) employees or trustees, people who have achieved amazing things in their own communities, representatives from partner organisations we've worked with over the years, village hall committee members, Councillors, and more ... the list is endless!
We plan to create 60 Devon Diamonds throughout the year until March 2022! If you know of somebody who would make a great Devon Diamond profile, please get in touch by calling 01392 248919 or emailing info@devoncommunities.org.uk.