Coleraine mental health charity that beat lockdown in running for UK awards double

Q Radio News

A Coleraine charity that has continued to operate throughout the lockdown is in the running to lift a prestigious national award double. 

The Zachary Geddis Break the Silence Trust (ZGBTST), a local non-profit mental health organisation, has received two nominations for the National Diversity Awards 2020.

Voting closes today so it's the last chance to show your support. 

The ZGBTST was established six months after Zachary Geddis took his own life while at university in London in 2017.

The popular local man had positively impacted many in his short life. 

The trust was founded by Zachary’s sister, Yasmin Geddis, who, along with her mum, Louise, and dad, Terry, advocate for a greater awareness of mental illness within Northern Ireland and aim to decrease the stigma surrounding suicide.

Since its establishment, ZGBTST has tirelessly supported many within the community through counselling, mentoring, advocacy, legal advice, crisis intervention, and workshops, all free of charge. ZGBTST now spans two premises, with 6 campaigns and 10 volunteers. Within the next year the trust hopes to expand even further.

🎥 A Coleraine charity helping people with mental health concerns throughout the lockdown is in the running for top UK awards

Zachary Geddis Break the Silence Trust and founder Yasmin Geddis are nominated for National Diversity Awards in a public vote that closes tomorrow:

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— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) June 7, 2020

Even through the coronavirus lockdown the ZGBTST continued to support the community remotely.

The trust now has weekly webinars, daily online one-to-one sessions, YouTube videos and has launched its own helpline. Its support advocates are available to collect prescriptions, provide support over the phone and also create online content allowing them to reach a greater audience throughout this time of need.

The trust itself has received a NDA nomination for the Community Organisation Award within the Multi-Strand division for its dedication to tackling the mental illness epidemic. The second NDA nomination is for Yasmin Geddis, within the Positive Role Model category for her contribution and impact within the community through her selfless work and management of ZGBTST. This is not the first time Yasmin has been recognised nationally for her work.

In October 2019, Yasmin was one of three finalists in the UK’s Most Inspirational Award at the Woman of the Year Awards in collaboration with the Lorraine Kelly Show. Yasmin was the first woman in Northern Ireland to receive such recognition for her work and is grateful that the experience provided a platform to boost ZGBTST’s message.