Check out Marbles Lost and Found for mental health advice, guidance, and resources
The Devon Mental Health Alliance’s Community Development Lead for Plymouth & West Devon is championing the wonderful work of Nicky Nurrish from Plymouth, who is the founder of Marbles Lost and Found.
Larissa writes: “Nicky launched the Marbles Lost and Found website three years ago. It provides a wide range of information, advice, guidance, and support on mental health issues and is attracting a huge following. Nicky was diagnosed with bipolar II disorder when she was in her 30s and for many years struggled with the condition, the system, and simply living her life.”
Explaining why she started Marbles, Nicky adds: “Four years ago, I was really struggling with my bipolar and was frustrated by the system, the lack of help, awareness, and guidance. Most of all, I wanted to gain back control of my thoughts, feelings, and life — I just did not know how to do it!
Nicky Nurrish, founder of Marbles Lost and Found
“I decided to educate myself on bipolar, its signs and symptoms, and I also started looking for local support groups, alternative therapies, and talked to likeminded people. This all helped me to deal with my bipolar in a healthier way. I built the Marbles Lost and Found website channeling what I needed, and what I thought others struggling would also need to help them, in a safe, non-judgmental, friendly, and positive space.”
Marbles is now a registered CIC (community interest company), support group, and popular social prescribing platform. It is used by Livewell Southwest’s mental health services and signposted to by certain GP surgeries, Plymouth Options, First Response, the police, and many other grassroots mental health organisations and groups. It has really been embraced by the mental health community, both by people with lived experience of mental health challenges and professionals.
Nicky’s ultimate goal for Marbles Lost and Found is to operate a wellbeing centre. This centre would provide mental health wellbeing and support within the community, operating local support groups and workshops, with quiet areas, a café, a sensory room to cater for people with ADHD or autism, breakout rooms for those in crisis, and a gym.
For further information and to access resources, please check out the Marbles Lost and Found website.