Today, October 10th, is World Mental Health Day.
It is an internationally recognised day where the aim is to raise awareness and help normalise taking care of our mental health, and let people know that asking for help when we’re struggling is the best thing we can do.
To mark the day, Avoca has partnered with Walk in My Shoes, the flagship mental health awareness campaign from St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, which promotes positive mental health, tackles mental health stigma and works to change how people think about mental health.
Avoca’s team of crafters have designed two bespoke exclusive products for the Walk in My Shoes campaign; a beautiful candle and pack of paper chain decorations, with all proceeds donated to this worthy cause.
The exclusive candle, made here in Ireland, is scented with Sandalwood and will be available for €22.95.
The charming paper chains, which are perfect for adding some festive flair over the holiday season, will retail for €8.95.
Both items are designed in Avoca’s Wicklow Studio and will be available to purchase from 27th October in-store and online at www.avoca.com.
The Walk in My Shoes campaign was first established in 2012 when a young man in St Patrick’s Mental Health Services said, “he wished his friends could walk in his shoes to understand how he was feeling.” Since then, Walk in My Shoes have launched initiatives each year to promote positive mental health in schools and communities around Ireland. Thousands from across Ireland have become involved with the Walk in My Shoes campaign, including charity ambassadors, TV and radio presenter Blathnaid Treacy and Dublin Ladies GAA player Nicole Owens.
Speaking of the initiative, Amanda McArdle, Project Manager at Walk in My Shoes, says:
“We are delighted that Avoca has chosen Walk in My Shoes as their charity partner this Christmas. Walk in My Shoes runs a number of awareness-raising and education campaigns throughout the year, such as our #MindYourSelfie resources for classrooms, our Transition Year programme and our popular Mission Possible awards, celebrating schools that promote positive wellbeing. This partnership will allow us to create further opportunities to support young people, teachers and parents at home, or in the classroom, during this challenging time.”
Maoliosa Connell, Marketing Director at Avoca, is also excited about the collab and explains:
“We are very proud to support and promote positive mental health and affect meaningful change in peoples lives, particularly in these current challenging times. We’re thrilled to be part of the conversation this Christmas and support Walk in My Shoes’ campaign initiatives, as well as raise funds to aid the awareness-raising and education resources they provide to local communities across Ireland. We are proud to offer a meaningful gift to give this Christmas.”
