MEMBERS behind a mental health awareness community group and campaign set up in memory of their friend are celebrating their first anniversary.
Project 14 was set up by Beth Deakin and friends in memory of Ashley Salkeld - known as Selly - who took his own life at the age of 25 in October 2016.
The group aims to raise awareness and funds for mental health charities and services that help people across Barnsley. Since it was set up last year, it has raised more than £5,000 and holds walks for groups across Barnsley and the Dearne Valley.
The walks are open to people of all ages and are held to encourage people to talk and open up about their mental health. There is also a rugby and football tournament held every year.
Beth, 27, said she is proud of Project 14 - which was given its name because 14 was Ashley’s rugby number - and she is currently planning new activities and events to keep the momentum going.
“Mental health is so important,” Beth said. “At the first tournament that was held, we all sort of sat down afterwards and someone said why not put some of the money raised back into Barnsley?
“I started looking into things then and what was available in Barnsley. It really resonated in my mind that we raised a lot of money through sport but we needed to redirect that money.”
The group has recently teamed up Barnsley Council in a partnership for the local authority’s #AlrightPal? campaign, which aims to get people across the borough talking to each other and making sure to ask people how they are.
“It’s been great working alongside the council for this campaign,” Beth said. “When we first lost Ashley I never thought in a million years that something so positive could come out of something so horrible.
“People have been so supportive and I think that is something that has kept us going. In Barnsley when you do something like this everyone gathers round to give support.”
The group has the slogan ‘Be Reyt’ which has been made into business cards and prints, which Beth said has helped to get people interested in Project 14.
She added: “We wanted a slogan that was something Barnsley people say, so me and my friend sat down and made a list of different sayings like ‘be reyt’, ‘chin up cocker’, ‘we will be reyt’ and a few others. Then we sort of settled on ‘be reyt’ really and I made it into graphics.
“It’s local and we all say it - I even remember Ashley saying it - and it has had a lot of response and stimulates conversation.”
Project 14 is about to start their next timetable of walk and talk sessions. For more information, search Project 14 on Facebook.
