Welcome to the CrossReach Virtual Grey Cakes Coffee Morning.
It is lovely that you have decided to drop in and have a look around. Did you know that a grey cake symbolises mental wellbeing? Everyone has a vibrant colourful mind, however for some this is covered by the Grey fog of stress anxiety or depression. Let’s bite into that cake and 'see the colour'!
This year, Mental Health Awareness Week [18th-24th May] is taking place against the backdrop of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Throughout the country, people are doing what they can to cope with the stress that this has created, which has been made even harder by the impact of social isolation and social distancing. For the many who have had this added to their existing mental health problems, life has become exceptionally difficult.
CrossReach has a range of services that support mental health and wellbeing and we are continuing to provide this during these challenging times. We offer specialist mental health care and accommodation for people needing round the clock support and we are providing telephone counselling for those who need us most.
During this time, when we are all having to stay away from friends and loved ones - is there someone that you wish you could chat with over a cup of coffee and a slice of cake? You can do this and support us by holding a Virtual Grey Cakes Coffee Morning.
How to set up a CrossReach Virtual Grey Cakes Coffee Morning:
- Set a date for your coffee morning, Invite your friends and ask them to make a small donation (minimum £3) at our JustGiving Page, just as you would if you were all attending a coffee morning in person.
- Advertise your event - Set up a Facebook event and encourage all those you have invited to share the event with their own networks in order to reach even more people! It's also worth thinking about any relevant Facebook Groups that you could share the event with.
- Then ask all your friends to bake a Grey Cake or a bake of their choice and have this with a cup of coffee or tea in your own homes on your chosen date. Here are a couple of ideas to spark your creativity!
- On that date, connect up with all those you have invited by using online platforms such as FaceTime, Skype etc and share with us pictures of your baking creations by using the hashtag #VirtualGreyCake.
To run a Virtual Grey Cakes Coffee Morning you will need a computer with a camera and microphone. On the day of your Coffee Morning:
- Give your coffee morning one last shout-out on social media
- Set up your computer and test the sound to make sure everything is working before you get started.
- Make sure everyone has the link to join your virtual coffee morning, and have your hot drink & baking creation at the ready!
- Welcome everyone as they join and invite people to start having a good conversation.
- Make sure you mention why are supporting CrossReach and how donations will help the charity in supporting those coping with mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic and into the future.
- Share the link to our Just Giving Page and invite people to make a donation.
- Ask you friends to share their baking creations, around the theme of grey on the outside, colours within, using #VirtualGreyCake and #SeeTheColour, remembering to tag CrossReach in Social Media.
