You Matter Always (YMA) Connection Cards

The You Matter Always connection card was the first wellbeing tool to be created in this initiative (over 7 years ago). I created the first one HOPE (for crisis intervention and suicide prevention) because in my own opinion and experience...SUICIDE PREVENTION STARTS WITH CONNECTION! I realised that so many cards/leaflets, being used in crisis intervention and suicide prevention were filled with advice and telephone numbers. There was very little, or no, space for the person to decide what might help them in a time of struggle. Where was the person's needs and wants in all of this? Where was the meaning and purpose? Where was the thing that can create a meaningful connection during a time of disconnection? Where was the message, photo or reminder that could fill that short window of time (the pause) between a temporary feeling and a permanent and devastating outcome? After a brief stay in hospital, following my own moment of crisis (and subsequent suicide attempt), I came home and started working on creating the You Matter Always connection card. A concertina style card which cherishes memories and messages from loved ones and reminds people of their strengths, abilities, potential and worth. A card which strives to promote connection, reinforce a sense of worth, instill a sense of hope, remind people that they are not alone, and encourage them to reach out for help if they are struggling. The meaningful reminder needed in the pause! The YMA HOPE card was made in recognition of the fact that when people are in a place of struggle they can often hear what people are saying but struggle to feel it, because of a disconnect that they have with themselves (for various reasons). The card is something tangible that your loved one can keep in their pocket, bag, wallet, purse, drawer etc, and access if or when they need or want too. A meaningful reminder of how important they are and how much they matter...ALWAYS! Subsequent connection cards were created with a focus on connection (TALK), (MIND), (CARE), (CALM), (HERO) and (LOVE) with the aim of connecting people and communities to moments, memories, messages, themselves and each other. Helping to build a stronger sense of self (including self-belief, self-worth and more.) Focusing on strengths, abilities and potential. Reminding people that connection matters greatly and they matter ALWAYS! The connection cards can be used for LOVE, SUPPORT, ENCOURAGMENT, GRATITUDE and MORE. They can be used as conversation starters and aid reparative and restorative work. You can put photos in them, write messages, contact numbers, keepsakes, drawings and more, and share it with your friends, mates, family, colleagues, students, peers etc. The cards can also be used simply to show someone that you love them, miss them, are proud of them, appreciate them and more. Finally, the connection cards can also be used in a meaningful way during times of grief and loss. They can be filled with photos and messages to send to family members as a forever memory of their loved one. They can also be made for the person who has passed away (and be placed in with them) to remind them that they matter always and will never be forgotten. A forever connection to LOVE, because in many ways grief is...LOVE UNFINISHED. I made a card for my beautiful young brother Geoff, who died suddenly in 2019 and my wonderful father in law Bill, who died suddenly in 2020. Sadly, I didn't get the chance to put one in with my dad, who died in 2022. The cards that I made for Geoff and Bill were filled with photos and messages (forever memories) and were placed in beside them to remind them that they matter...ALWAYS. A forever connection and reminder that they were loved beyond measure and are missed beyond words xxx. To date, I have created eleven different You Matter Always cards. Seven of them are the ones that I created for YMA...HOPE (Crisis Intervention/Suicide Prevention), TALK (Children and Young People), MIND (Mental Health and Wellbeing), HERO (Armed Forces and Emergency Services), CARE (Carers), CALM (Men's Mental Health) and LOVE (For Everyone). Another four were uniquely designed for other organisations. The cards which were created for other organisations can be used as a tool for sharing relevant information, signposting, starting conversations, wellbeing and more. The one thing that ALL YMA cards share is the privacy windows (to place a private message or photo behind) and a couple of other boxes to fill with what matters to the individual receiving or making the card. Each card starts at £4.00 (not including P&P) and comes in a little drawstring bag with sweet treat and mini padded love heart. **As with any production costs, the price per item is variable depending on quantity. So, larger orders will be suitably discounted. **Cards can also be made up (with any personal photos and messages inside) at an additional cost. ** As noted, cards can be designed for organisations in their own colours, with their own acronym, logo, messages and information.